How Sabbatical Leave Can Help Your Career

If you are not ready to quit your job but need a more substantial break than you might get from a vacation or personal leave, then a professional sabbatical might be for you.

What is sabbatical leave?

Sabbatical derives from the same word as sabbath, so you get the idea: it’s about taking a period of rest—time away from work in order to refresh your soul or advance your mind. Ideally, your pay and benefits would continue, and your job would be waiting for you when you return. Another reason for sabbaticals is to pursue professional goals: for example, professors and teachers take sabbaticals in order to publish a paper, write a book, or travel for research.

How long is the typical sabbatical leave?

Sabbatical leaves can range from a month to two years, but there is no standard across industries. Because companies know that happier employees are more loyal and hardworking, many offer sabbaticals at specified milestones like five or ten years of employment.

Understandably, employers also want their workers on the job producing results, so six months could be considered a good average. Check your employee manual for an established policy, but it’s more likely you’ll just need to bring up the subject and see what your supervisor and HR say.

What should I know before considering sabbatical leave?

If your employer is willing to give you a paid sabbatical, don’t be surprised if they expect you to spend at least part of your time off pursuing something related to your job, like skills training or volunteer work in a related industry. The hope is that you’ll come back with not only a fresh attitude but fresh ideas and solutions that’ll help you contribute better.

Another concern is that your salary and benefits during sabbatical may be reduced. And you should weigh the potential career opportunities you’ll be sacrificing—while you’re taking downtime, your colleagues will keep moving up.

How do I arrange a sabbatical leave?

Even if your company doesn’t offer a sabbatical leave program, you have nothing to lose by requesting one for yourself.

1. If possible, talk to someone who’s taken a sabbatical before for valuable insights.
2. Time your leave request for a period when business is traditionally slow, and make sure there’s someone reliable to cover your duties while you’re gone.
3. Don’t forget your personal obligations too! If you have a family, keep them in the loop on your plans, and arrange for childcare, eldercare, or other support.
4. Plan for the financial impact. If you’re not getting a paid sabbatical or if your salary is going to be lower during that time, make sure you’ve got a cash buffer so you don’t come back even more stressed than when you left.
5. Finally, draft a formal proposal that assures your supervisors that your duties will be covered and sells them on how a sabbatical will ultimately be of benefit to the company—and that includes the fact that you’ll be much better at your job when you’re rested and recharged.