I've always thought it would be cool to have employers offer "MAKEation" days instead of vacation days. This would be time accumulated to take a month, a quarter, or even a year off to build your own product/service/dream. The company offering this would also provide mentors, resources, and periodic sit-downs to discuss investment into your new product/service/dream. You maintain your insurance throughout this time also. When you return to work, instead of having a meeting to "be brought back up to speed", you discuss with managers how to integrate your new business into the company, what you learned, and then make a presentation to the rest of your business/department. The idea being that every business can be it's own incubator of sorts. I would imagine this would attract top talent to your company, allow for new sources of revenue, keep your business fresh, and promote innovation among those that might otherwise be more risk-averse.
msbarnett|13 years ago
Taking time away from work is an important part of my mental health. The last thing North American culture needs is another way for corporations to replace leisure time with yet more work.