The Omicron coronavirus variant has led firms to rethink return-to-office plans, with some pressing on to restore full office working conditions and others announcing further delays. In addition, a court decision to rule out mandatory vaccination for federal contractors has prompted many firms to conduct a further review of staff vaccine policies.

An internal email from Better.com's board of directors said that CEO Vishal Garg is "taking time off effective immediately" following "the very regrettable events over the last week" and an independent firm has been appointed to conduct "a leadership and cultural assessment." The move follows Garg's dismissal of 900 employees via Zoom.

A holiday break is a great time to catch up on rest, detach from technology, get back to nature and practice generosity, writes leadership coach Kerim Nutku. "With the added craziness of COVID, its lockdowns, and the constant uncertainty we've felt over the last two years, I know that 'rest' has to be the first gift I give to myself this holiday," Nutku writes.

Individuals who excel at their roles often are funneled into leadership positions, even when managerial work doesn't align with their interests or skills. Forward-looking companies are examining this traditional approach and are considering alternative tracks for advancement.

Military veterans often struggle to re-imagine their purpose once they leave active service, but no one is immune from the need to evolve their purpose as circumstances change, writes John Baldoni, who interviews former Army pilot Shannon Polson. "Civilians can learn from the importance of purpose that the military has identified and cultivated, and work on their own purpose, as well as helping others find theirs," Polson says.

I had a wonderful weekend. I had the house to myself Friday night and spent a blissful evening eating my way through a can of Almond Roca, decorating my house for Christmas and binge-watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Saturday I filmed a basketball game, had lunch with a friend and then spent another quiet night at home decorating. Sunday I enjoyed a long sleep in before heading to Trader Joe’s and then church.

Doing what we love is a great way to refresh our energy stores, as Kerim Nutku says in today’s Health and Wellness story. Cooking with my daughter, strolling Candy Cane Lane with my grandchildren and watching college football bowl games are some of my favorite ways to rest during the holidays. These are the perfect combination of activity, nature and couch potato for me.

What do you do to get downtime and rest? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.