How To Take A Sabbatical From Work

In the US, 24 per cent of small businesses and 14 per cent of large companies offer some form of sabbatical to their employees, whereas in Britain 37 per cent of companies offer sabbaticals.

What is a Sabbatical?

The term “sabbatical” comes from the Old Testament. It is a reference to the ancient Mosaic law requiring farmers to leave land unplanted every seventh year. Traditionally, the sabbatical was a fixture of academic life, with universities giving professors a year of paid leave to do research, normally one year for every seven years worked. Today, sabbaticals (also known as “career breaks”) have spread to many other professions, and can range from a few weeks to a year or more. They are used for a variety of purposes, from travel to volunteering, and they can be paid, unpaid or self-funded.

What should I plan before taking a Sabbatical?

Obviously, there is a lot of planning to be done for a sabbatical. You may need to think about renting your house out, organizing your finances, setting up social networking sites to stay in touch with family and friends, and then, of course, there is the trip itself. Duration and budget are the big factors to take into consideration. Don’t try and squeeze in too many countries, because you may find your trip becomes a whirlwind tour rather than the in-depth exploration you hoped for. Make a list of places you have always dreamed of seeing, such as the Sydney Opera House or Taj Mahal, or activities you have always wanted to do, such as teaching English or working with wildlife, and loosely plan your itinerary around these things. While we recommend having some dates and an itinerary, remain flexible as well – you never know who or what you may discover en route that could just change your plans.

How to take a Sabbatical from your current job?

Even if your company does not have a sabbatical programme, you may still be able to organize a career break. The key is to make a convincing proposal to your boss. Here are some tips:

• Do be well prepared before approaching your boss. It is a good idea to make your proposal well in advance, and after you have successfully completed an important project.
• Do speak of personal development, collecting new ideas, widening your career horizons, increasing your motivation.
• Do tell your boss how a sabbatical will benefit the company, and provide a plan for how your tasks can be done in your absence.
• Don’t choose a time when important new projects are getting underway.
• Don’t give your boss the impression that you are unhappy with your current job: don’t use words like stress or boredom.

Is there a “best” time to take a Sabbatical?

This really varies from person to person, depending on what else is going on around you at the time. Clearly, if there is a lot of reshuffling going on at work, or the opportunity for a promotion is on the horizon, then it may be best to hold off in the short term. But bear in mind that the new skills you will learn on a sabbatical will stand you in good stead upon your return.

Final Notes

If you decide to leave your job to travel, be sure to leave a good reputation behind. Many people end up getting work from old contacts when they return, so stay in touch with as many people as you can. When you do get home, update your CV to include any skills you have learned, such as problem solving, budgeting, leadership or a new language, and any challenges you overcame.