Engineering Focus and Rest Days

In the fast-paced world of technology, fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and productivity is paramount. At Apollo, we understand the importance of providing our engineering teams with the ideal conditions to excel in their work. I wanted to throw together a blog post to talk about a few angles of how Apollo approaches this, and share our Focus Days and Rest Day policy – designed to elevate the performance and well-being of our talented engineers.

In the pursuit of excellence, every engineer requires dedicated time for deep work and uninterrupted focus. Our weekly "Focus Days" every Friday serve precisely this purpose. By blocking out all meetings on Fridays, we empower our engineering teams to delve into their tasks with undivided attention. This deliberate scheduling promotes a culture of productivity, allowing our engineers to immerse themselves in coding, problem-solving, and complex projects without interruptions. Additionally, it’s often a good time for watching a video or reading a blog post to catch up on the latest technology, or make use of our unlimited PTO policy without feeling like important decisions are being made without you. And with Apollo’s Engineering department being a global, distributed team, this helps ensure that no one in the world is ever scheduled for a meeting late into a Friday (Friday nights are for relaxing and fun).

Recognizing the significance of work-life balance, we go a step further with our quarterly "Rest Day." Once every quarter, our engineering teams enjoy a fully off Friday, providing them with a well-deserved break to recharge and rejuvenate. This intentional break not only promotes mental and physical well-being but also helps prevent burnout, ensuring that our teams return to work with renewed energy and enthusiasm. We have an unlimited PTO policy as well (I consistently take at least four weeks off a year) but the coordination helps balance work so PTO is accounted for in that sprint, and ensure that nothing is going on at work that day, so you can take your day easy.

Studies consistently show that uninterrupted focus leads to higher productivity and better quality work. But our Focus Days and Rest Day policy is not just about managing time; it's about cultivating a culture that values the well-being of our team members, keeping them happy and well-rested. By prioritizing focus and providing much-needed breaks, we're not only boosting productivity, but also shaping a workplace where every engineer can reach their full potential. Join us on this journey of innovation, growth, and well-being!