Springer Nature staff get day off after 'extraordinary' pandemic effort

Staff at the academic publisher Springer Nature are being given an extra day of holiday on 2nd July to thank them for their "extraordinary efforts" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a blog post c.e.o. Frank Vrancken Peeters said the company had decided to close down nearly all Springer Nature's global operations for the day, explaining: "It has been almost 18 months since the coronavirus first forced office closures, homeworking, homeschooling and endless video calls. Throughout this period, Springer Nature colleagues have worked tirelessly to support researchers, librarians, teachers, clinicians, our customers and each other.

"Some of our colleagues have had very difficult personal circumstances to manage. Some colleagues have themselves contracted Covid-19. Tragically, a few have died with or from Covid-19 and they are greatly missed by their colleagues and our wider Springer Nature team. Other colleagues have lost loved ones or had to support family members who have been very ill.

"Of course, the pandemic is not yet over. While colleagues at some locations are back in the office following strict social-distancing and Covid-safe procedures, in other business locations with less access to vaccines and still high or rising infection rates, the situation continues to be difficult.

"As a small gesture of thanks, all colleagues will have an extra day of holiday and—since we know that email only really stops when others are offline too—most will do so on the same day: 2nd July."

He said front-line customer service and IT support will still be available, so this will not have an impact on the publisher's critical services. Those colleagues will be able to take their extra day’s leave at another time.