The case for sabbaticals: Why businesses benefit when workers take ‘Big Time Off’

Daniel Ervér, the CEO of H&M Group, explains how he’s working to ensure the relevance of its brands for new generations – without compromising the group’s sustainability and long-term responsibility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Hackney is the founder of AnnieCannons, an organisation that prepares vulnerable, overlooked people for sustainable careers in tech. Plus: The Fintech leader swapping payment platforms for a focus on women’s health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Clark runs Cadogan Tate, a world-leading specialist in the movement and care of fine art. Clark tells us how the wealthiest individuals and institutions collect and build across borders – and his plans for the business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the ups and downs of starting a business with serial entrepreneur Mike Grossman, author of Failure Is an Option. Plus: Champagne and Friends founder Dan Roznov on the industry’s climate-related challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Marie-Laure Pollet co-founder of Fruttini, a playful haute-glacerie in Paris serving refreshing ‘fruit givré’. She tells Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco about the frozen-dessert business and breathing new life into a retro French favourite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Caroline Seton, co-founder of Forest, an e-bike operator in London offering affordable, app-based bike hire across the capital. Plus: Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify senior vice-president of markets and subscriptions, talks about the company’s impressive growth as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are in Toulouse as Qantas unveils the aircraft that it hopes will redefine long-haul travel with 22-hour direct flights from Sydney to London and New York. Plus: we meet the CEO of Aquarius Aerial Firefighting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more alcohol-free drinks hit the shelves, we meet two founders who carved their own path in the booming market. Lucy Isles talks about Sablière, an alcohol-free sparkling cuvée from Edinburgh. And: we head to Merano to meet Maria-Elisabeth Laimer, co-founder of Italy’s first handcrafted alcohol-free beer, Freedl. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harvard Business School lecturer DJ DiDonna talks about the importance of sabbaticals and why intentionality in time away from work is a win-win for employees and bosses alike. He shares findings from his new book, ‘Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet the founder of Neurospace, the only privately funded German space start-up to have secured contracts with both Nasa and SpaceX. Plus: We visit Slatnar, a Slovenia-based ski-maker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.