Bottom line is if EK has an idea that the flight crew are happy about something, such as strings of days off, then there must be a cost-saving in getting rid of it, even if there isn't.
This philosophy came to a head with TCK who couldn't sleep if he thought that crew were getting away with something such as, for example, being paid whilst on leave.
AAR would say "Happy pilots are lazy pilots".
I would say "Happy pilots are productive pilots".
EK might be wise to appreciate this.