9 Days Away From Keyboard in Hawaii

At Intrust IT, we deeply appreciate the importance of recharging and rejuvenating. As we stepped into 2023, we made it our top priority to focus on our team’s well-being. We noticed many of our dedicated employees were caught in the relentless whirlwind of their daily routines. So, what did we do? We came up with a solution that we’ve been excited to share with you. Here’s another “Nine Days Away From Keyboard” adventure: This time in Hawaii!.

But first, a little back story: We now require all our team members to take a minimum of nine consecutive days off from work. During this period, we insist on a complete hiatus from work-related emails, voicemails, chats or any communication channels associated with work. 

It’s all about unplugging and indulging in some much-deserved time off.

But that’s not where our commitment ends. We’ve taken substantial steps to enhance our paid time off allowances for each and every one of our employees. 

Why, you might ask? 

Because we genuinely care about their well-being, and we want to provide them with even more opportunities to prioritize self-care.

At Intrust IT, we’re more than just a managed service provider. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our employees are not just content but thriving, maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

We’ve witnessed firsthand that when our team members return from these rejuvenating breaks, they do so with a newfound vigor to better serve our clients and customers.

Now, you might be curious about what it’s really like to have nine days away, right? Well, to offer you some insight, here’s a firsthand account from Chad Adams, Intrust IT’s president. 

Chad recently embarked on an unforgettable cruise to some of Hawaii’s most breathtaking islands.

What were some of your vacation highlights?

Chad Adams: “We had never been to Hawaii before, so we opted to do a cruise that went to four different islands. We started on the island of Oahu, went over to Maui, down to the big island of Hawaii, and then finished up on the island of Kauai.

“We didn’t want to have to unpack and repack our suitcases every other day to island hop, so the cruise ship was the best option for us because it was kind of like having a floating hotel room.

“My wife and I enjoy more low-key, less commercialized areas, so both Maui and Kauai were great for that. We did some tubing down an old sugar plantation’s water irrigation canal system, which was neat because a lot of the infrastructure is still there.”

“We ziplined over top of a waterfall which was a really neat time because you got to see some of the rainforest areas in Maui. And then we traveled to Kauai to do some sightseeing. It’s very picturesque. There are areas where you can get up to mountainous regions and look down over the island, that was pretty cool.”

Did you have any favorite foods while you were there?

“Oddly enough, it was Hawaiian shaved ice. We did try a lot of different foods from the island, but I was so excited to go there and have true Hawaiian shaved ice.

“We were in Kauai and we went to this little roadside place that was fantastic. It was flavored  shaved ice on top of the macadamia nut ice cream, and they put all kinds of stuff that’s not good for you on it, and it’s absolutely delicious.”

Did the 9 Days Away From Keyboard Adventure initiative make a difference?

“Absolutely. I feel like all of our employees are so dedicated to what they do and to their team that while they’re away, they still feel a little bit compelled to check in and see how things are doing, or if they can help in any way. I used to fall prey to that as well. On vacation, I’d stay up late and knock out some emails.

“This go-around, not doing that, I had a little bit of anxiety for the first two days, but after that, I realized we have a really talented team, and there’s nothing that the IT space can throw at them that they can’t handle while I’m not there, so I was able to relax.”

How do you feel about coming back to work after the break?

“I came back to work feeling more rested. Obviously, flying back from Hawaii is tiring, but I’m able to focus mentally more at work, and I’m eager to get back to it, which was different from the past.

“In the past, I’ve always kind of worked a little bit anyway on vacation, so it never really felt like I was gone. It definitely changed my overall energy level. I’m energized and recharged.”

Enjoying the Away From Keyboard Adventure

Here at Intrust IT, we recognize the absolute necessity of extended, uninterrupted breaks for both our employees and the overall success of our company. We’re truly excited to witness the positive impact this new initiative will have on all of us.

Stay tuned for more updates on the “9 Days Away From Keyboard” initiative. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to follow along with another one of our team members who described his nine consecutive days off in Portugal.

And for those of you who might be thinking, “Could this be the workplace for me?” We invite you to explore the possibility of joining our team of employee-owners, where a nine-day break is ingrained right into your job description. Explore our current job openings and envision yourself being a part of our team!