Taking a Sabbatical
A sabbatical is an arrangement whereby an employer grants an employee an extended period of time off, usually as a reward for long service. It can be paid or unpaid, and can last from a few weeks to a whole year. People take sabbaticals for a number of reasons, to travel, to pursue a life-long passion, to work for a charity, to learn additional skills or simply to take some time out to recharge.
Historically the reserve of the legal profession and universities, sabbaticals are becoming popular across the board. The "sabbatical is a growing trend" confirms Jenny Ungless, career coach at City Life Coaching. "Whereas twenty years ago the concept of the career break was not very common, it is now common for companies to offer such breaks. Employers understand that people need refreshing."
Wyatt Worldwide, a benefits consulting firm, estimates that 20% of large companies in the US now offer sabbaticals.
Sabbaticals offer the long-standing worker the opportunity for some time off to recharge and rejuvenate. In this sense, they can help organisations to keep skilled and experienced staff. The Guardian Media Group allows workers to take a month off on full pay every four years. The John Lewis Partnership offers six months paid leave after partners have been at the firm for 25 years.
People also use sabbaticals to improve themselves by embarking on vocational or academic courses that are specific to their job. Others may choose to follow a cause they feel strongly about by working for a NGO or charity.
There are no laws governing the organisation of sabbaticals and employees should approach the HR department and find out the company's policy.
How employees go about asking for sabbaticals is all important. The case must be presented in terms of how the company will benefit. "Making a business case to your employer is essential" says Ungless. "An employee needs to think about what value it adds to the organisation and not just themselves." A person who returns with extra training or qualifications, for example, will be to the company's advantage. Alternatively, someone wishing to use a sabbatical to travel the world should present the benefits in terms of the increased independence and improved people skills resulting from such an expedition.
Further benefits to employers include good PR and employee relations.
It is important, however, that workers negotiate sensibly. "People are often tempted to bargain, to threaten to leave unless they are granted some time off. This is unwise and should not be used in the negotiating process," said Ungless.
With the underlying emphasis of the sabbatical being the benefit it brings to the employer, one recruitment consultant sounded a cautionary note, "The last two people from our firm to take a sabbatical never returned to work."
