Taking a sabbatical from work usually requires a lot of planning, mostly financial, but in a few cases, some employees make the decision abruptly due to a pressing reason(s). A sabbatical is referred to as a break from work, which could last from months to a year. Traditionally, it is an extended period of leave granted by an employer. Hence, a sabbatical leave request is mostly valid if recognized by the employment contract. Otherwise, the employee risks chances of losing the job after the break from work.
While sabbatical benefits are not limited to the employee, part of the reasons why employers would consider holding the job open while the employee is away is the reasons for the break. In other words, it is imperative to have important reasons for a sabbatical to encourage compliance from your employer.
Also, some employees are afraid of observing a break from work, thinking it could hurt their career due to the break in their resume. There’s nothing wrong with going for a sabbatical! Simply state the period and your reasons. Here are some reasons why you may consider a sabbatical.
Develop work-related skill
Are you planning to learn something new or undergo a work-related training that requires you to be out of work? Then you should plan on how to take a sabbatical leave. Some firms offer paid sabbatical leave to help their employees to acquire relevant skills elsewhere within a certain timeframe. But this reason for a sabbatical can still be personal and not sponsored.
Volunteer for an NGO or Charity
If your passion leads you to volunteer for Red Cross then you should go for it. Some firms equally encourage this and have policies that allow their employees to work for certain charity organizations. The experience is worthwhile and could help in lifting a feeling of accomplishment and career fulfillment.
Restore physical and mental health
Too much stress and “average” healthcare could be long-term damaging. Because you are always putting work first, there are chances that you don’t care much about your fitness and diet. If you really have a need to shape your body (maybe your BMI is alarming) and your mental status. A sabbatical from work will give you all the time to meditate daily and to exercise sufficiently aside from feeding on the right diet.
How about reconnecting with your partner?
A sabbatical leave could help you reconnect with your partner if your relationship is currently not going well. Spending your sabbatical with your partner could spark those old memories and strengthen your relationship once again. Most of those challenges and fight, frictions and arguments with your partner could be fixed through a sabbatical. You have enough time to take care of the kids and run all the household chores and equally spend as much time as you want in bed. There’s no rush or table to have sex with your partner.
You may need a sabbatical to travel
Traveling could be another reason you need to tender a sabbatical leave request. The fact remains you can’t travel far away from your place of work or station when you’re on duty. That 12-day cruise around the Mediterranean is best enjoyed if you are not reminding yourself how long you need to be away. However, you also need to plan a sabbatical leave.
How to take a sabbatical from work
Having made up your mind to tender a sabbatical leave request, you also need to make it successful. One year sometimes run faster than you can imagine and if you can’t achieve all you need to during your sabbatical, it could be difficult to get an extra time off from work when you resume work. The following factors are necessary when planning for a sabbatical leave.
- Employment contract
- How long you plan to stay
- Financial planning: consider supplementing your income
- Timing your sabbatical with your partner
- Health insurance
- How much time you plan to DO NOTHING: you should have enough
Conclusion :
Most employees embark on a self-sponsored sabbatical leave to make the dream a reality. It’s all about planning well and timing it with the period you would maximize the benefits. However, the key considerations for taking a sabbatical are not only limited to the above-mentioned reasons. Once, your timing is set and your reasons are beneficial to you, go ahead and submit your sabbatical leave letter.
Good luck and enjoy your time!