Time Off Well

As Cicely Samuel embarked on a two-week trip to India in 2019, a sense of anticipation filled her soul, and it dawned on her that it had been four years since she had last gone on an adventure.

Immersed in the vibrant culture of cities like Jaipur in India, Samuel found her soul replenished by the art, artisans and architecture around her. She brought home a hand block-printed scarf and silk rug that inspired her to incorporate the colors and symbols into her quilt creations.

Inspired by that trip, Samuel vowed to travel annually. She has since enjoyed weekend getaways, traveled to the Caribbean, explored the United Arab Emirates and has an upcoming adventure in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

“I can’t really put a price on my overall well-being,” said Samuel, an IT analyst with Duke Health Technology Solutions. “Travel is the thing that keeps me level.”

According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, six in 10 Americans said a job with paid time off is extremely important, but nearly half of workers take less time off than their employer offers. On average, according to the U.S. Travel Association, American workers did not use 4.6 days of their paid time off in 2021.

Dr. Michelle Franklin, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke, said that while common, a decision to forego time to recharge through one day or a week off can take a toll on overall health and well-being.

“If we don’t take that time, whether it’s brief pauses, evenings that are protected from work, or vacation time, every part of us suffers,” Franklin said. “Our productivity certainly suffers. Our mental health suffers. We have increased stress, increased risk of depression and anxiety, and decreased creativity and motivation.”

Go on a journey as we share some stories of staff and faculty who count Duke’s generous paid time off policy among their favorite benefits.

Cherishing the Unforgettable

Tears streamed down Thomas Wagner’s face when his eyes met Melissa’s, as she walked down the aisle to the outdoor chapel at Wyndridge Farm in York County, Pennsylvania.

On their wedding day, May 21, 2022, Thomas and Melissa Wagner, who both work at Duke, felt everything else melt away. They appreciated that they could take time off work to focus on the unforgettable moments of their special day, which included their grandmothers carrying flowers down the aisle.

Melissa, a senior clinical research specialist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Thomas, a Neurobiology research technician, used five days of time off to embark on a road trip from Durham to their wedding venue. Later, in May of this year, they celebrated their one-year anniversary by taking a honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas.

“It’s been the best benefit in my mind because it’s really allowed us to enjoy these moments together and not worry too much about work and what we have going on,” Melissa said. “We feel really lucky.”