CHENNAI: Startups are using innovation not just at work but in how not to work too. Apart from the usual casual leaves and sick leaves, now 'recharge breaks' too are finding a place in the startup work calendar.Making sure that the employees who are prone to overwork do not burnout, these breaks are introduced to induce the much needed zing to the teams. "Recharge breaks, or NeoVitalising breaks as we call it, are to make memories with one's family, not to sit at home tending to plumbing or electrical works," quips Prateek N Kumar , cofounder at digital marketing startup NeoNiche Every six months the company offers its staff four days off from work to get themselves 'recharged'. Employees who are urged to go out and spend time with their families are even asked for a proof, which could be anything from travel tickets to a Facebook photo of the trip, to ensure that they are 'revitalised' indeed.An employee or even a member of his family could request for a leave for the former, and in case of no leave-request the company itself reminds the employee of it. "First we were chasing business, but slowly we realised it should not be just about number of days of work, but about the quality of the work produced. People who were working for the company were neglecting personal matters which affected their families," Kumar recollected.Recharge breaks are now mandatory at the company. At home-services startup OTJ247.com recharge breaks are provided more frequently — a two day off every 10 days — although only for the female staff. And the founder Major Prashant Rai seems to have put some serious thought in to it. "Given that Sunday is an off-day for everyone it might not really provide rest to women who often take up additional family responsibilities on top of their works. Considering all that, a leave on a working day on top of the weekly off seemed apt for working women," said Rai.A five-month old practice at the company now, Rai feels the breaks have escalated the faith of his colleagues in the company. He remembers an instance of one of his lady staff being forcefully sent for a two day off with a couple of movie tickets after she was found to be low. "By the time she came back she was very excited and lively. A personal touch does wonders on the output of employees. The more you take care of them, the more they believe in you."At Mumbai-based startup BabyChakra the work calendar is scheduled in a way so as to allow leaves for employees who are parents during the vacations of their kids. "Children need time with their parents during their vacations at least, so we also plan our work calendar accordingly. Twice a year — during summer and winter vacations — such leaves are provided," said Naiyya Saggi , cofounder of the startup.On top of its 25-days leave policy BabyChakra has also introduced an adoption leave policy which offers the same benefits as that of maternal leave and a caregiver’s leave for those who have aged and dependant parents to take care of.Results? "Very less attrition rates," says Saggi.