This Boss Lets Her Employees Take 30-Minute Masturbation Breaks At Work — Here's Why

Unless you’re someone who works as a butcher, the idea of ‘beating your meat’ at the office is probably something that’s never been considered even remotely okay, and honestly, most people are perfectly fine keeping it that way.

Sure, it's been joked about in movies — think of those Rocky training scenes or moments from The Wolf of Wall Street, but for employees at one company in Spain, that idea is actually a part of their daily reality. We're talking about a designated half-hour 'masturbation break'.

The modern work world has evolved a lot. We're no longer stuck in coal mines or glued to factory floors. Instead, many workplaces are offering remote work and other perks. And in this case, one company has taken employee wellness to a whole new level.

With things like flexible hours and wellness programs already part of the work culture, we’re seeing more efforts to support both the mental and physical health of employees. And thanks to Erika Lust, there’s now even a self-pleasure policy in place.

Lust, who runs an adult entertainment business based in Barcelona, came up with the idea after noticing her employees were feeling more anxious and unsettled than usual. Instead of ignoring it, she introduced a new approach to relieve some of that stress—something typically considered NSFW.

Her company now officially allows staff to take a 30-minute private break in a room called the ‘masturbation station’. After it was tested successfully during the lockdown, the policy was added to the employee handbook in 2022.

Tissues at work might not just be used in the conventional manner, after a Spanish firm employed a policy which lets staff take a half-hour to masturbate Getty Stock Image

Explaining why she introduced this unique break into the workday, Lust said: "The truth is masturbation can help people manage stress, regulate their sleep, and connect with their body and sexual desires, among other advantages.⁠"

Feedback from the team showed that many felt noticeably calmer, with some saying they experienced less frustration and found it easier to concentrate on their tasks.

There’s already plenty of research showing that masturbation and physical intimacy can have a bunch of health perks — from lowering blood pressure to improving mood. In fact, avoiding it altogether might even be bad for you.

Erika Lust has rolled out the policy for her workers Pedro Gonzalez Castillo/Getty Images

The Swedish-born entrepreneur, who’s often referred to as the 'Queen of ethical porn', told The News Movement: "They get masturbation breaks. In case you need one, you're always invited to do it. It gets rid of anxiety."

She compared the idea to the old saying, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ — except in this case, it’s about looking after mental and emotional health.

Lust also added: "With the pandemic and the huge shift in how we live our lives, I began to notice that my employees had become somewhat agitated and were performing with less energy than before."

"So, knowing that there's only one thing that will make everyone feel good, I set up a private masturbation station for them to enjoy." she continued. "I value my employees and I know that when they feel good, we do good work."

According to Lust, stress is one of the most damaging things in any workplace. That’s why she felt it was important to create a dedicated, safe, and comfortable space for her team to take a break in this way.

"But the masturbation break wasn't only about trying to help my employees feel better in these trying times." she explained. "I also wanted to do something to normalize masturbation on a broader scale."

Lust, who is also committed to reshaping how people view ethical porn, added one more thought: "Sexual wellbeing is deeply intertwined with your overall mental health and physical health and should be treated with the same respect and resources."