Dear OYOpreneur,

These are incredibly tough times. I truly hope you are doing everything you can to stay safe. While we all pray that this wave flattens soon, we know that the next 2-3 months are not going to be easy. Stress levels at home and in our minds are high. Two things help. First, talking to and spending time with the people we love and trust. Spouse, parents, children, friends. And second, finding sources of everyday positivity. Yoga, music, cooking, pets, et al. I am writing to you today to share two initiatives that I truly hope will make it easier for us to tide through the next few weeks. OYO is moving to a 4-day week for the month of May.

We are declaring the next four Wednesdays, the 12th, 19th, and 26th of May 2021 and the 2nd of June 2021 as company holidays. Please take a mid-week breather. Take the time to finish chores, spend time with your children, care for your loved ones and volunteer for crisis causes that matter to you. Don’t use this time to catch up on work. If this is helpful and times don’t get better, we will consider in June whether we need more of these mid-week day-offs. #MyWednesday

No Reasons asked, Infinite Paid Leaves.
Beyond everything mentioned above, we are also announcing flexible paid leaves. From now through July, please take a day off whenever you need. Just let your manager know. No reasons needed. None asked. Don’t log them on the system. #FlexiOff

#MyWednesday and #FlexiOff are small ways of creating time structurally so that you can spend it with the ones who matter, whom you trust, and are your sources of positivity. These are paid leaves and over and above the already available privilege and sick leaves. Let’s not stress about business impact and deadlines. We know work will not suffer, if anything you will be more focused, efficient, and productive.

These are intense and testing times. Stay safe. Do more of those sources of positivity. Have everyday conversations with the people you trust and love.

See you on the other side of this wave.

Best,
Ritesh