Taking Time Off

Our Approach to Time Off

We believe in:

• Trust-based time off - We care about results, not hours logged
• Proactive planning - Coordinating absences to maintain team momentum
• Full disconnection - When you're off, you're truly off
• Leading by example - Everyone, including leadership, takes regular time off

Types of Time Off

Vacation Time

• Annual allocation: 24 days per year
• Minimum use: We expect everyone to use at least 15 days every year
• Carryover: Up to 5 days can be carried over to the next year

Sick Leave

• No fixed limit - Take what you need to recover
• Mental health counts - Mental health days are treated the same as physical health days

Public Holidays

• Since most of the team is in Turkey, most of the team follow the Turkish Public Holidays. This may change in the future.

Parental Leave

If you have been a part of Hardal over a year, you'll get a 16 weeks of parental leave. If it's less than a year, you'll get whatever you local government offers.

We Don't Expect Presenteeism

Presenteeism is the practice of working while you're physically or mentally unwell, or when personal circumstances mean you can't realistically give your usual energy.

At Hardal, we'd rather you take the time off you need than work at partial capacity. Whether you're recovering yourself or supporting a family member or loved one, taking time away allows both you and the team to perform better.

A clear day off is easier for the team to plan around than partial availability. When you're away, we can adjust priorities, redistribute work, and support each other. When you're marked as available, the team naturally plans around your usual capacity.

Taking time off when you need it isn't a lack of commitment. It's good judgment, clear communication, and one of the ways we build a healthy, sustainable team.

How to Request Time Off

Currently, we don't use a specific HR tool. So, we use deel + slack.

1. Plan ahead - Depending on the length, request vacation time at least 1-2 weeks in advance
2. Use Deel - Submit requests through Deel
3. Notify your team - Post in your team's Slack channel
4. Update your calendar - Block the time and set an out-of-office message
5. Document handoffs - Note any critical responsibilities that need coverage

Before You Go

Handoff Checklist

• Document status of ongoing projects
• Identify potential issues that might arise
• Clarify who's covering your responsibilities
• Update relevant documentation
• Set expectations for when you'll return

Communication Template

📅 OUT OF OFFICE: [Dates]

I'll be away from [start date] until [end date].

For urgent matters regarding:
- [Project/Area]: Contact @[colleague name]
- [Project/Area]: Contact @[colleague name]

For non-urgent matters, I'll respond when I return on [date].

Best,

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[start date] ve [end date] arasında ofis dışında olacağım.

Acil konular için:
- [Project/Area]: Contact @[colleague name]
- [Project/Area]: Contact @[colleague name]

Acil olmayan konular için [date] tarihinden sonra geri dönüş sağlayacağım.

Sevgiler

When You Return

Take time to:

1. Catch up on messages and updates at your own pace
2. Schedule a brief check-in with your team
3. Adjust priorities based on what happened while you were away
4. Share any insights or perspectives gained during your time off

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Remember: Taking time to rest isn't just permitted - it's expected. Your well-being directly impacts the quality of our work and the health of Hardal.