There was a time not long ago when the idea of calling in for a “mental health day” felt, well … almost un-Jersey. We’re a state that pushes through traffic on the Parkway, makes it through the grind of the daily commute and digs deep when the pressure comes. Admitting you’re feeling fried? That used to feel about as revolutionary as saying you liked pineapple on your pizza in Hoboken. The old me never took all my accrued days, there was always too much to do, there was always that sense of FOMO!  The old me thought “mental health days” were for the weak.

Mental health days and the New Jersey work ethic

But lately, something’s shifted.  Not just with me, but across New Jersey and the broader workplace landscape.  More employers are formally saying “take the day” — not for a cold, not for a dentist appointment — but for mental wellness. And for a place known for hustle, that’s a change worth unpacking.

Why employers are embracing workplace mental health

At its core, this isn’t about giving people an extra freebie or a lazy day to binge The Sopranos reruns. (Although that was my go to on my sabbatical last year!) Businesses that offer mental health days are responding to hard data: stress, burnout and anxiety aren’t just buzzwords — they have real costs. Employers who formally build mental wellness into their benefits see better productivity, less absenteeism and stronger loyalty from employees who feel supported rather than squeezed.

Cape May Point | Photo by EJ

Cape May Point | Photo by EJ

What a mental health day can actually look like in NJ

Imagine this: instead of dragging yourself onto the turnpike at 7 a.m., you take off, head down to the beach in Long Branch, and walk the sand while the sun comes up. You grab a latte in Ocean City without worrying about email. You sit in your backyard, listen to the birds instead of conference calls, and breathe. That hour — that morning — that entire day of stepping back does something real: it interrupts the stress cycle, resets your head and often makes you more effective when you walk back into your office on Tuesday.

Is New Jersey finally letting go of burnout culture?

You might hear cynics grumble that this is another corporate trend or perk package line item, and sure — some companies may be jumping on the bandwagon for talent recruitment reasons. But largely, this is about workplace cultures finally acknowledging what so many workers already know: mental health matters. The old stigma — that you needed to tough it out — is fading, not because we’re softening, but because workplaces are waking up to the idea that stressed-out teams are worse for business and worse for people. It’s a great part of our evolution that we now put mental health front and center.

And let’s be honest — for New Jerseyans, admitting burnout almost feels like admitting you need a day off. Jersey grit means showing up. But maybe, just maybe, true grit is also knowing when to step back, rest and come back stronger.

Workplace culture isn’t perfect, and policies still vary widely. But employers offering official mental health days — beyond traditional sick leave — are helping normalize conversations about wellbeing in a way that benefits everyone. It’s not just a day off. It’s a shift in how we think about work, life and the human side of both.

These are 12 best NJ companies to work for

Forbes has issued its list of Best Employers By State 2024, put together with market research firm Statista. Employees were surveyed about their own companies of 500 or more, plus places worked recently. Five of the top 15 additionally have headquarters in NJ.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt