Sex days: taking time out from work to get it on
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Desire is one thing, but keeping it alive is something else entirely. From tiredness to stress to mental overload, everyday life doesn’t always leave room for sexual fulfillment, and libido often takes a back seat. To remedy this, a new approach is beginning to emerge in the form of “sex days,” vacation days dedicated to sexual well-being and intimacy.
Far from being a mere fantasy, the idea is winning over more and more workers.
A survey conducted by ZipHealth in the United States among 800 employees and 200 managers shows genuine enthusiasm for this new type of leave. Nearly three in five workers are in favor of “sex days,” whether paid or unpaid. For 20% of them, this type of benefit could even influence their decision as to whether or not to stay with their current company.
While employees are enthusiastic, managers are cautious. Only 15% plan to make “sex days” an integral part of their HR policy. However, some companies, notably in the tech, finance and healthcare sectors, are tentatively starting to test this initiative. And this is because its effects on productivity are not insignificant.
Among those who have already taken advantage of it, one employee in two claims to have become more efficient at work. This is not surprising, since an American study, published in 2017 in the Journal of Management, revealed that the day after sexual intercourse, mood and professional performance tend to improve.
A taboo subject at work?
What’s more, 60% of employees surveyed by ZipHealth believe that prioritizing sexual wellness could help to improve the mental health and general well-being of workers. But in reality, the subject remains sensitive. Only one in five employees dares to talk openly about this subject with their manager, for fear of being judged. Yet almost half the employees surveyed believe that recognizing sexual health as an element of well-being at work could make the professional environment more inclusive and caring.
Some companies are already rolling out initiatives in this area: 6% offer paid time off for sexual health check-ups (STD screening, fertility tests) and 11% include access to relationship counselling in their benefits package.
While waiting for the concept of “sex days” to catch on, employees are taking the lead. Nearly 60% admit to having already taken a day off to spend quality time with their partner, 16% of them specifically for intimate reasons. Some go even further, with 14% of employees surveyed admitting to having already had sex in the workplace, 7% during a remote meeting, and 6% have even scheduled a fake meeting to indulge in a moment of intimacy.
This trend is part of a wider recognition of the importance of well-being at work. With mental health, work-life balance and physical well-being all on the agenda, why shouldn’t sexual health be part of the equation too?
Young workers, especially Millennials and members of Generation Z, seem ready to embrace these developments. But it will likely take time for “sex days” to become the norm. It remains to be seen whether companies will be bold enough to take the plunge, or whether the taboo of sex in the workplace will remain firmly entrenched.
