|
 |
Taking a sabbatical
You may receive a poor response from your
employer if you request a
sabbatical from work because what you are actually asking for is an
extra long holiday. However, sabbaticals can not only have a positive
effect on an employee but also on the employer and it may not bring so
much disruption to the company as first thought!
|
What is a sabbatical?
When a sabbatical is agreed between you and your employer, you are
granted extended leave, beyond your normal holiday entitlement. This
may be paid or unpaid depending on your circumstances and many other
factors and in the end it will depend on your company policies and your
boss's decision.
If you are to take the time off for development and training, you may
find that your employer will continue to pay for a proportion of your
salary. If you however, have your own reasons for taking time off, it
is likely to be unpaid (if you are allowed to take it.)
|
|
Why may you decide to take a sabbatical?
· You may have always wanted to do some travelling and this is one of
the most common reasons for taking sabbaticals.
· You may wish to do further courses, training or development to
increase your skills and experiences as well as just taking some extra
time off for relaxing from the office.
· You may wish to give yourself a boost and take time off to refresh
yourself. When you return your productivity will increase.
· Your employer may actually reward you with extra time off due to long
service at the company.
|
|
Your employment rights
You must check how the time you take off for your sabbatical may affect
your continuous service. And if it does affect it, some of your
benefits may be affected too.
You may also want to consider some obvious things, such as; can you
afford to take the time off? What will be the effect to the company
when you are on leave? Will you be able to cover your work whilst off?
Will you commit to returning to your employer?
|
|
What are the positives to taking a sabbatical?
You may think that if you take a year or an extended period of time off
work that it will be very difficult to return. And you may think that
your boss would never say yes and that the company would fall apart
without you. But, there are plenty of good things that come out of
taking a sabbatical that need to be considered...
· Learn and develop new skills and experiences
· Relax, recoup, redevelop yourself and take a needed and deserved break
· Increase in productivity on return - ultimately benefiting your
company
|
|
Not all companies will be as happy to allow sabbaticals as others and
smaller companies will find it harder to grant them due to money
restrictions and cover. Just because you want to take a sabbatical, you
may not necessarily be granted one. You need to carefully consider the
pros and cons and approach your employer in the way that they deal with
such requests. Make sure you have enough benefits and advantages as to
why you should take the time off and show that you are committed to
returning to work.
|
|
|
