The Recharge program is based on the idea that long-term performance depends on the ability – and the opportunity – to regularly renew. Its goal is to help employees maintain a sense of freshness and momentum, something the company considers a fundamental way of working. Recharge gives colleagues the opportunity – and actively encourages them – to take a full month of uninterrupted leave, completely stepping away from work responsibilities. This time allows for a genuine break and deeper recovery, which has a positive impact both on wellbeing and long-term performance.
First-year results in numbers
Since the Recharge program was launched by Yettel in 2025, employees have used the time in many different ways, from traveling and spending time with family to exploring new hobbies. Key figures to date:
• 469 employees became eligible for an additional one month of paid leave
• This means a total of nearly 15,000 extra days off
• The extra paid leave requested corresponds to a total of 39 years of leave
Family milestones and true time to switch off – how colleagues see the program
Colleagues who have taken part in the program say that Recharge goes far beyond a typical vacation. For some, the month made it possible to finally take a long-planned road trip across North America, while others – especially parents with young children – were able to focus on spending meaningful time together rather than organizing childcare. “My phone finally stopped ringing, and I wasn’t thinking about emails,” one employee said, highlighting the experience of truly switching off. Some used the time to work on long-planned improvements around their homes, while others spent their Recharge month exploring destinations within Hungary.
According to employee feedback, taking this time off required serious advance planning and close cooperation between teams, but these efforts have undeniably paid off. Employees returned not only more relaxed, but also with fresh professional perspectives and renewed creative energy for their daily work. Whether it was finally finishing a long-postponed home renovation, going on a fishing trip with the children, or simply enjoying the quiet of reading.
Long-term effects on corporate culture
Based on Yettel’s experience, the 30-day paid break gives returning employees new perspectives, fresh momentum, and renewed creative energy. Feedback also confirms that the initiative has made a meaningful contribution to strengthening company culture and increasing employee engagement.
“Recharge is now part of Yettel’s long-term employer strategy, which treats employee wellbeing as a prerequisite for sustainable operations. The program complements the company’s other wellbeing initiatives, such as four weeks of paternity leave, grandparent leave, sports opportunities, and anonymous financial, legal, and psychological counseling. This approach reinforces the idea that the organisation recognises the value created by long-serving colleagues while supporting their physical and mental renewal,” said Enikő Szalai, Chief HR Officer of Yettel Hungary, about the initiative.