Bram can take as much (paid) vacation as he wants. But how “unlimited” is this privilege really? Does such a system only offer advantages? Labor economics professor Stijn Baert warns. “Will the right people ask for more vacation days? And how will colleagues react?” We explain.

“Our employees can take as many days off as they need, as long as the work to be done allows it and it doesn't negatively impact the team's objectives,” explains Geert De Rycke, CEO of o2o Bicycle Leasing, a Ghent-based company specializing in bicycle rental.

“Employees always coordinate their plans with their colleagues and superiors. This year, for example, a colleague is going on a three-month trip. Not everyone does this, of course, but for those who want to, we want to make it possible.”

Peace of mind

Bram De Winde has been working at o2o Bicycle Leasing since January 2024. As the order and customer support manager, he didn't choose the position for the unlimited paid leave. “I was attracted by other aspects of the job offer,” he recalls. “The leave system was a nice bonus.”

Of course, he had some questions at first. Is there a limit? How is it controlled? “It seemed almost unbelievable. And yet, it works very well,” he confides. Bram doesn’t have children, which makes planning his vacation less complex than for many of his colleagues. “Yet last year, I took two or three extra days off. Just knowing you have the option to plan extra vacation days gives you peace of mind.”

The system is based on a well-established framework. “During busy periods, taking a lot of time off isn't an option. But when there's less pressure, it's possible. I suppose the larger the company, the more likely it is that some people will take advantage of it.”

Avoiding holiday stress

CEO Geert De Rycke sees the new policy as a tool that helps employees achieve a better work-life balance. “It provides an opportunity to recharge their batteries and prevents 'vacation stress.' This type of stress occurs when employees are afraid to take time off for fear of using up their available days too quickly.”

The manager also sees benefits for the company itself. “Our employees are fully present on their days off. A high level of job satisfaction contributes to the motivation needed to satisfy customers. Being well-rested is an essential condition for performing at their best.”

Social dynamics

These special schemes are becoming increasingly popular, according to Stijn Baert. “It's part of the battle to attract workers to the job market. To put it jokingly: in the 1980s, people fought to get a job; today, companies are fighting for candidates. Some offer trips through a raffle to new employees, while others distinguish themselves by offering more generous parental leave or higher salaries. The unlimited paid leave offered by o2o Bicycle Leasing is part of this trend.”

Although the labor economics professor welcomes the inventiveness in the job market, he has some reservations. “Unlimited paid leave strengthens employees' autonomy and their sense of attachment to their employer. But it also carries risks, particularly in terms of social dynamics. The question is whether the right people are really taking more time off. And how will colleagues react?”

The professor had already observed this during research on teleworking: on average, it is the least diligent and least disciplined employees who benefit most from this type of arrangement. “They are the ones who will take additional vacation days most quickly and most often. As a result, the 'worker ants' have to fill the gaps. In the long run, this can lead to demotivation among those who take fewer vacation days.”

Geert De Rycke, however, points out that no abuse has yet been observed at o2o Bicycle Leasing. “We would be able to detect it quickly,” he assures.

Overload before the holidays

Stijn Baert believes it's likely that employees are working longer hours to complete their tasks before going on vacation. "This can lead to burnout. We observed the same phenomenon in research on the four-day week, where people work full-time for four days instead of five."

“They also do it without unlimited leave,” says Geert De Rycke. “With this system, we eliminate the risk of burnout. You take the vacation you need, not the one you have left. Busy period or an important deadline behind you? Then you can take it easy, without the frustration of losing precious vacation days. This way, you come back truly rested, and that's precisely the goal.”