29.07.2025

'cultural leave' could be the key to a more human, and ultimately more productive, work culture

With 70,000 people taking the day off work after the Women’s Euros Final, it’s clear that traditional holiday structures are no longer fit for purpose. Workplace experts, Instant Offices, suggest that “cultural leave” could be the key to a more human, and ultimately more productive, work culture.

Driven by mass events like the Women’s Euros, demand for post-event downtime is growing. In the wake of England’s historic run, 70,000 UK employees booked the following day off and instead of criticising the move, office experts say it reflects a growing need for more flexible, culturally relevant leave policies.

From sports finals to royal events, global concerts, and festivals, moments of national or personal significance increasingly prompt mass time off. Far from being a disruption, this signals a shift in how people relate to their time and workplace, and a growing desire to live around work, not just work around life.

As traditional return-to-office policies clash with employee expectations, offering “cultural leave” or “event-based recharge days” could be the next evolution in progressive workplace policy.

What is Cultural Leave?

Cultural leave refers to dedicated time off tied to national, cultural, or personal events. Whether it’s a sports final, Pride weekend, Eurovision, or even the day after a major gig – it recognises that people need space to celebrate, decompress, or reflect during shared cultural moments.

By formalising this kind of leave, businesses not only align themselves with the rhythm of their people’s lives, but they also demonstrate empathy and flexibility in a changing work landscape.

Why Cultural Leave Could Benefit Your Business

1. Better Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing

Events like the Women’s Euros are emotionally charged, people invest time, energy, and passion. Giving employees permission to rest and reset afterwards helps reduce burnout, improve mental health, and makes work feel less rigid and more human.

2. Stronger Retention and Engagement

In a competitive hiring market, forward-thinking benefits stand out. Just as unlimited leave and mental health days have become valued perks, cultural leave policies signal trust, flexibility, and a deep understanding of modern employee needs. They show workers they’re seen.

3. Stronger Culture and Community

Shared time off helps teams connect around meaningful experiences. Whether it's everyone attending a local Pride event or recovering from staying up late to watch the final, these moments create shared stories and reinforce culture in a more organic way than a mandatory happy hour ever could.

Demis Brill from Instant Offices comments: “Workplace culture has changed dramatically in the past five years. People want flexibility but more than that, they want workplaces that recognise how they live, not just where they work. Rigid policies that ignore real-life events risk alienating employees. But businesses that build in space for life’s moments, whether that’s cultural, personal, or emotional, create loyalty, wellbeing, and ultimately higher performance.”

“Getting employees back to the office isn’t just about mandates – it's about meaningful experiences. Cultural leave could be a simple, impactful way to build connection, trust, and a more modern working rhythm.”

By embracing cultural leave, businesses signal a shift away from productivity-at-all-costs, and toward a more flexible, people-first model of work, one that reflects the real lives of employees. Rather than seeing 70,000 day-off requests as a disruption, maybe it’s time we see them as a message.