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NDTV
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why A Filmmaker's 'Masturbation Breaks' Policy At Work Is Trending Again
A workplace policy introduced by Swedish filmmaker Erika Lust is back in the news, nearly four years after it first caught public attention. In 2021, Lust, who runs a production company in Barcelona, made headlines for allowing her staff to take a daily 30-minute "masturbation break" - a move she said was aimed at improving mental health and productivity. The idea was first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lust, who runs an adult entertainment company in Barcelona, Spain, had said in her blog post at that time, "I decided to dedicate Masturbation Month to my team by giving them an extra 30-minutes off every day to use for their self-pleasure routine. I set up a private room in the office, which we call 'the masturbation station' to provide them with a safe, comfortable space for their masturbation break." This bizarre, new-age work-break trend had stunned many on the internet back then, and now it's going viral again, with several news sites publishing the story, sparking a conversation on managing mental health at the workplace and prompting renewed debate around boundaries, workplace culture and employee well-being. What Forced Erika Lust To Announce Masturbation Break? In her post, Lust wrote that she started noticing her team and herself struggling a year into the pandemic, in which millions lost their lives. She said that the pandemic started to take its toll on everyone, and she found that her staff was less focused, more agitated and overall more anxious. "As someone who's been leading a company with 40+ employees for over a decade, I believe that there is nothing more harmful to a successful work environment than stress," her 2021 blog post read. Lust claimed that it kills creativity, makes people feel less confident in themselves and causes problems in communication. "I wanted to do something to help my team cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic," she wrote, adding that she started giving her staff a masturbation break. The filmmaker, best known for her work in feminist adult cinema, said the measure was part of a wider effort to destigmatise sexuality and prioritise emotional well-being in the workplace. In 2024, she told The News Movement that masturbation "gets rid of anxiety". The story has gained traction again as workplace well-being becomes a topic of global conversation. The return to office life, rising burnout levels and demands for more flexible work environments have triggered fresh scrutiny of what employers owe their workers beyond salaries. Despite the renewed attention, there's no sign the policy has been widely adopted beyond Lust's company. On her part, Lust has maintained that the goal was never publicity but to foster a safe and open space for her team.
News18
30-07-2025
- Health
- News18
These Workers Get ‘30-Min Masturbation Break' To Relieve ‘Agitation'. Company They Work For Is...
Last Updated: A Swedish company has introduced a unique 30-minute daily break for employees to relieve stress through masturbation. A Swedish company named Erika Lust Films has introduced an unusual workplace rule to help employees manage stress. Staff members are given a 30-minute daily break specifically for masturbation. This policy aims to improve mental health and reduce tension at work. The company, founded by Erika Lust, creates indie adult films and has over 40 employees. Erika came up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she and her team were feeling stressed, distracted, and anxious. She first introduced the break as a trial, which turned out to be successful. So, in May 2022, it became a permanent part of the company policy. Here's What The Founder Says In a blog post, Erika explained her reason behind the policy: 'In 2021, a year into the pandemic, I started noticing my team and myself struggling. Years of pandemic life had started to take their toll on us. We were less focused, more agitated, and overall more anxious." To support the initiative, Erika also introduced a special Masturbation Month and gave her team an extra 30-minute break each day for personal time, as per LADbible. They even created a private space in the office, called the 'masturbation station", just for this purpose. 'Masturbation has been shown to not only make you happier, more relaxed, and more focused, but it is also a proven creativity booster and it increases your focus and drive to get things done," she added in her blog post. A Permanent Rule According to The Free Press Journal, Erika shared that what began as a trial during Masturbation Month became a long-term policy. 'I launched the initiative to coincide with Masturbation Month, but we decided to make 'masturbation break' a permanent company policy that we enforce until this day," her blog post reads as per the Free Press Journal. Meanwhile, LADbible states that the company also teamed up with German sex toy brand Fun Factory in 2022 to provide staff with a free sex toy of their choice. Interestingly, a survey done the same year by Chemist4U showed that 14 per cent of people admitted to masturbating during work hours. It is unclear how many of Erika Lust's employees use the dedicated office room. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 30, 2025, 07:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
