If We’re Going to Work Well, We’ll Have to Work Smart
By: Erin Matson
Recently, I completed a three-month sabbatical. It was not frivolous. It was necessary.
As co-founder, president, and CEO of Reproaction, I lead an organization with ten talented employees working to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive justice. We are in this difficult struggle for the long haul. That means one thing: If we’re going to work well, we’ll have to work smart.
Burnout is endemic in our movement for a number of reasons. People come to this work because they care about the work. Our opponents spread hate, and many members of our community are further targeted by identity-based oppressions, including racism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, ableism, and more. And all of this is occurring against the backdrop of a reproductive health care crisis that is making it excruciatingly difficult for people to access the care they need. People are justifiably worried that they will be criminalized for seeking — or providing or spreading the word about — abortion care.
Further, the non-profit organizing model has always promoted burnout. Stereotypically, it involves long hours and low pay, which people are encouraged to do for ‘the cause.’ This is not a sustainable model.
Over the years, my own relationship to work has changed, and I’m also proud to say that at Reproaction, we put dedicated effort into sustainable working models. For example, all full-time employees are invited to work 32-hours per week at full pay, and not only do we say that — we actually observe it. Everyone is working four-day weeks. We have a culture when we say we’re off, we’re off. Checking email during vacation is frowned upon.
Our most recent innovation in this area is the adoption of a sabbatical policy that allows employees to choose between a three-month sabbatical or a $5,000 stipend following five years of service, with an additional three-month sabbatical granted every additional five years. I recently took mine. During this time, I didn’t do anything particularly grandiose. Rather, I tended to my life, and lived a life without work.
And wouldn’t you know it? Since coming back, I’ve found myself deeply refreshed and focused. I envision a world where anti-abortion hatred is confined to the dust heap of history. It’s a long fight, and a good one. If I’m going to give it my all, that takes rest. May we all take that rest we need without shame.
