sabbatical leave travel

What is a Travel Sabbatical, and How Can You Take One?

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If you’re reading this, you most likely work full-time, haven’t taken nearly as many vacations as you want to, and are craving a new adventure. Maybe you can’t take a long vacation unless you quit your job or get a remote job, which frankly isn’t possible for many careers. If this sounds like you, a travel sabbatical could be exactly what the doctor ordered. 

But what is a travel sabbatical, exactly?

A travel sabbatical is a unique opportunity to step away from the daily grind and explore new places, cultures, and indulge in new experiences. It’s an opportunity to take a break from work for a period of time and enrich yourself in new and inspiring ways (that can ultimately benefit your career in the long run!). 

If this is a new concept to you, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know what a travel sabbatical is, how you can make it happen, or the many benefits it can offer you, your company, and your career.

This guide will break down each of these burning questions so you can confidently familiarize yourself with the concept of a travel sabbatical and assess whether it’s the right move for you! 

Let’s dive right in. 

What Is a Travel Sabbatical?

A travel sabbatical is an extended period away from work, usually ranging from one month to a year, during which people take time to travel, learn, and rejuvenate. Travel sabbaticals can be paid or unpaid, and are usually offered after someone has worked at a company for a certain amount of time, usually around 5 years (though this can vary). 

The concept of sabbaticals originated as a way for professors to take a break from teaching in order to pursue deeper studies or travels, but they have spread to many other industries over the last several years.

Today, just 5% of companies offer paid sabbatical leave in 2018, according to Workable . However, this number is slowly growing – and it’s possible you can qualify for one or even propose your own sabbatical within your company (especially if you have a few years of tenure under your belt!). 

How Can I Take a Travel Sabbatical? Different Kinds of Sabbaticals to Consider

Paid (work-sponsored) sabbaticals.

Paid sabbaticals are work-sponsored breaks that offer you a period of extended time off in exchange for your commitment to the company. Companies will include sabbaticals as a policy in your benefits package and provide guidelines around use – typically this will be “X weeks or months off in exchange for Y years of work within the organization.”

In the US, where paid sabbaticals aren’t super common but do exist, you might expect to see a paid sabbatical package of anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months for 4 – 10 years of work. I have worked for a company that offers 2-3 months after 10 years, for example.

Before you start packing your bags, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your employer and start planting the seed to eventually gain permission to take the sabbatical. Make sure you fit the requirements for your sabbatical benefit and that you’ve worked at the company long enough to cash in.

From there, set up a meeting with your boss and/or HR to talk through the steps towards taking a sabbatical. In that meeting, explain why and when you want to do one, highlighting the goals of your sabbatical and what you hope to accomplish while you are away.

If your company does not have an established policy, don’t let that stop you from inquiring about taking one. For some companies, especially in the tech space, they often simply haven’t been around long enough to have considered a sabbatical policy for tenured employees. It can never hurt to ask “what if”!

Emphasize the benefits that you’ll be able to bring to your employer and team, and be prepared to share the length of time you are looking to take off from work. If applicable, be sure to also come to the table with a coverage plan so that you can demonstrate forward thinking and ensure nothing will fall through the cracks during your absence.

Work-Sponsored Sabbatical Alternatives

While some companies have established policies for sabbaticals, others may not. If even after asking, your company is unable to offer a formal paid sabbatical, consider proposing alternatives.

You could take a shorter leave, request a period of time with an adjusted schedule (such as a month of working half days or taking Fridays off), take unpaid time off, or ask about the possibility of working remotely while traveling . Perhaps all your schedule needs is a tweak so you can still reap the benefits a sabbatical could’ve otherwise provided, such as traveling, learning a new skill, or getting a degree.

Flexibility and compromise can go a long way in reaching an agreement that works for both you and your employer, so don’t be afraid of coming to the table with ideas! And who knows – you could be the reason your company considers creating a formal sabbatical policy for others to follow in your footsteps.

DIY Sabbaticals

Maybe your company doesn’t offer a sabbatical program, or they are unable to work with you on an alternative solution. Maybe you just want to take a longer break to travel and recharge your batteries in between jobs. This is where a DIY sabbatical might be the right choice for you to consider.

A DIY sabbatical – also known as an Adult Gap Year, a Career Break, or a Career Timeout – is essentially quitting your job (if you are employed) and dedicating a specific amount of time to yourself with the goal of recovering from burnout, reflecting on your career path, traveling the world, or embarking on a passion project like writing a book or starting a company.

It can require a leap of faith, as taking an extended period of time off often means quitting your job without having a new gig already lined up, but for those that are brave enough to do it, the rewards and opportunities for growth can be endless.

Things to Consider When Taking a Travel Sabbatical

So, how can you turn your dream of taking a travel sabbatical into reality? 

It takes a lot of preparation and planning but is worth it once you’ve hit the road. Remember – everyone’s situation is different and can vary depending on your finances, current job, long-term career goals, and lifestyle. 

Here are some steps to consider as you prepare to pursue a travel sabbatical. 

Financial Preparation for Taking a Sabbatical

First, you need to make sure you’ll have the financial means to support your sabbatical. If your sabbatical is paid, then you’re probably taken care of. If not, you’ll either need to build a savings safety net or find a way to support yourself during your time off. 

Start saving money for travel sooner rather than later and make sure your finances give you the runway for your entire sabbatical plus a buffer of time (2-3 months, ideally) post-sabbatical. You should calculate your monthly expenses and set a budget for your time off, and make sure you have enough cash stowed away for utilities and other recurring bills that will be maintained during this time period. You’ll also probably want to build yourself a safety net for emergencies if you don’t have one already.

Finally, you’ll also want to save some ‘fun money’ so you can treat yourself to that random snorkeling tour or Spanish class along the journey of your sabbatical, too. 

To alleviate or offset these costs, you can also consider freelancing or doing part-time/remote work during your sabbatical. There are several programs, like Workaway , that can help you find international jobs. 

Deciding When the Right Time is to Take a Sabbatical

The right time to take a sabbatical is different for everyone. Of course, you might first and foremost be at the mercy of your company’s sabbatical policy, so you’ll want to know exactly what those terms are before you start planning.

You’ll also want to consider where you’re at in your career and what the implications will be for taking time off, especially if it’s going to be a significant amount of time. Will you be missing any career-changing opportunities while you’re on sabbatical?

It’s also critical to consider the impacts of a sabbatical on your life. Many find taking longer sabbaticals – like travel sabbaticals – to be the easiest to pull off earlier in your career before you have a home, kids, dependents, or even direct reports at work.

Of course, the world isn’t going to end if you take an extended break. So don’t feel like your sabbatical ship has sailed just because you have kids at home or a team that reports to you. Plus, sabbaticals don’t have to be a full-year expedition. Just 3 or 4 weeks of focused relaxation can do wonders for recharging your batteries and giving you renewed perspective on your goals.

What to Do with Your Home or Apartment While Taking a Travel Sabbatical

If you’re planning to travel on sabbatical for an extended period, what will you do with your house or apartment? 

Apartments are easier, as you can aim to get out of your lease early or time your sabbatical around the end of your contract if you’re looking for a clean break. Or, if you plan to keep your apartment for the duration of your sabbatical, you can sublet, list it on a short-term booking platform like Airbnb, or even monetize it in other ways like listing it on Peerspace . 

If you’re a homeowner, taking extended time away from home can feel especially daunting, but there are even more solutions for you! House-sitting sites like Trusted House Sitter provide you the option to offer up your home as a free or low-cost accommodation to other travelers during your sabbatical. This can be ideal if you have pets or plants that need tending to, or if you just like the peace of mind that comes with knowing your house isn’t empty while you’re gone. You can also find cheap homes to stay in yourself during your travel sabbatical!

You could also consider home swapping with Kindred , which pairs people who want to travel to your location with someone in your destination, and you stay in each other’s homes for a set period of time. 

Like the apartment recommendations above, subletting, short-term rental, and medium- to long-term rental are also viable options for homeowners! 

Reasons to Take a Travel Sabbatical

Taking time off can absolutely benefit you and your career.

It’s not just about relaxing by the pool. Countless people use their time off to further their education, gain new perspectives, and invest in bettering themselves. There’s no right or wrong answer to taking a sabbatical, but knowing your purpose and the benefits you are hoping to gain from your sabbatical will help you stay focused as you plan your time off.

Here are just some of the most common reasons to take a sabbatical:

• Wanting to travel (and, travel can be combined with so many other sabbatical scenarios, making this an easy goal to accomplish!)
• Wanting to recharge or recover from burnout
• Wanting to reflect on one’s career trajectory
• Wanting to get a degree or study a new skill / trade
• Wanting to pursue a journey of self-discovery
• Wanting to volunteer
• Wanting to spend more time with family

It’s not uncommon for people pursuing sabbatical to combine a couple of these goals into one extended adventure. Pursuing higher education in London, going on a wellness retreat in Bali, and pursuing self-discovery on a backpacking trip in the Andes can all be examples of a travel sabbatical that accomplishes multiple goals at once.

In turn, companies that offer sabbaticals can gain a lot by investing in and supporting individuals as they recharge and seek fresh inspiration. In the long run, sabbaticals can help prevent burnout and increase employee longevity. It’s a win-win.

RELATED: How to Add Travel to Your Resume

Preparing your Job for Your Sabbatical

It’s crucial to make sure your job responsibilities are covered during your absence if you’re taking a paid or work-sponsored sabbatical. This might involve training a temporary replacement, ensuring your colleagues are aware of your absence and responsibilities, putting together a plan of action, and establishing open lines of communication with your boss. 

Ask what the next steps will be when speaking to your boss and your HR team once your sabbatical is approved, and allow enough time to ensure you’ve prepped accordingly.

Being proactive in preparing for your departure will not only give you peace of mind but also further demonstrate your commitment to your company and your coworkers, who will in turn be even more supportive of your sabbatical (and excited to hear all about it when you return!).

Different Ways to Take a Travel Sabbatical

Taking a travel sabbatical can be an incredible journey, and the options for doing so are endless. If you aren’t sure where to start, or are daunted by planning the perfect trip, consider these tried and true ways to take a travel sabbatical.

Group Travel

Group travel is a very popular option for those on a sabbatical. There are several group travel companies that plan short and longer-term trips that you can sign up for. 

Some examples of career-friendly group travel include: 

• Noma Collective (Read my full review of Noma Collective here ) 
• Remote Year
• Intrepid Travel (Read about my experience in Peru with Intrepid here )
• CazeNove + Loyd

Solo Travel

If you want to explore a new place on your own, solo traveling is a great way to do so! You’ll have the most flexibility to plan your trip and get to do exactly what you want, when you want. You can stay in community-oriented accommodations, like Selina or Outsite , to meet other people on their own personal journeys abroad.

If you’re working remotely, you can find your own coworking spaces (most cities have them!) and get a monthly or daily membership. 

Or, if you’re purely seeking exploration and learning, you can plan your own trip or indulge in a pre-planned itinerary. Many companies will plan your dream sabbatical trip for you, especially if you are looking for something a bit more premium and have the money to spend to make your experience luxe. Companies like Cazenove+Loyd and Aman , for example, take travel sabbaticals to the next level.

Volunteering

Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to communities during your time off. There are a ton of volunteering abroad programs you can sign up for or if you’re based in one location, you can look into local opportunities yourself.

Here are some programs to consider:

• International Volunteer HQ
• United Planet
• Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteer World

Retreats offer clearly defined goals and a structure to your sabbatical, and these days, there are amazing retreats for everything from yoga and community-building to cooking and coding. Countless sabbatical-friendly retreats are also set against inspiring and refreshing backdrops, like the red rock vortexes of Sedona or the beaches of Thailand. And, you can find anything from a 3-day retreat to a 1-month retreat, making this option amenable to virtually any sabbatical timeframe.

Here are some retreat-finding resources and retreat examples to consider:

• Retreat Finder
• Tea Huntress Rejuvenating Retreats (Multiple Destinations)
• Chopra Infinite Possibilities Retreats (Multiple Destinations)
• Moniack Mhor Writing and Songwriting Retreats (Scotland)
• Kopan Monastery Retreat (Nepal)
• Wonderland Yoga Retreat (Thailand)
• Into the Wild We Go Women’s Photography Retreats (Multiple Destinations)

Continuing Education / Personal Projects

Being on a sabbatical is a great time to learn a new skill or hobby or take a class in something related or completely unrelated to your career. 

People use travel sabbaticals to work on personal projects they’ve been putting off like learning how to scuba dive, taking a photography course, pursuing their Masters or higher education degree, or learning new skills like how to code. Some people even travel to a country to pick up a new language. 

The possibilities are endless and you can choose to partake in anything you’re interested in. Just make sure you’re aware of any sabbatical parameters set by your employer if you’re opting for a work-sponsored sabbatical.

Planning a travel sabbatical can seem overwhelming, but it is totally worth it. From the numerous benefits it has for both you and the employer, to the possibilities available to you to enrich your life in new ways, a travel sabbatical can be endlessly positive.

If you’ve been on the fence about taking the leap, you’ll never know if you don’t try.

So, what are you waiting for?

If you’ve been thinking about taking a travel sabbatical, let me know below! What are you planning, where will you go, and what will you do? 

Read This Next:

• How (and Why) to Add Travel to Your Resume
• Remote Work Travel Programs Reviewed: My Noma Collective review
• How to Ask Your Boss for More Vacation Time (The Right Way)

Pin For Later:

Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

The Best Places to Visit in Peru For First-Timers

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Let's go places.

• Updated on: November 8, 2023

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The ultimate guide to sabbatical travel

Recently updated on August 13th, 2023 at 02:06 pm

In recent years, the notion of taking sabbatical travel leave or a career break has become increasingly common, with many businesses now adopting sabbatical travel leave policies to accommodate. 

In a world where connectivity is higher than ever before, the ability to ‘switch off’ is becoming more and more difficult. It’s increasingly rare for people to be fully ‘logged off’ from work; especially with the proliferation of mobile phones making it easier to check and respond to emails, catch up with news via social media and keep up to date with the latest professional natter through services like Slack. While this level of technological connection does have its benefits from a professional perspective, it can often result in an overstepping of boundaries, resulting in burn out.

Taking a sabbatical provides you with a unique opportunity to take a break from your busy day-to-day life for an extended period of time, allowing you to de-stress and re-energise. While sabbatical travel is becoming more common, knowing how to navigate and plan the in’s and out’s of a career break can be an overwhelming task. 

If you’ve been considering taking leave for an extended period and have no idea where to start, this sabbatical travel guide is the perfect starting point for you!

What is a sabbatical?

Traditionally, the notion of a sabbatical has roots in the academic world, where one year of leave (also known as a gap year ) is granted for every seven years worked.

However, nowadays, a more common characteristic of a sabbatical is that the individual will return to the same job after the period of leave. Therefore, a sabbatical is a period of time away from work, which is typically agreed upon with the workplace.

The duration of a sabbatical depends on your workplace, however, most sabbatical travel contracts range from one month up to one year, sometimes even longer.

Important to note, while taking time to travel while on a sabbatical is common, sabbatical leave is not a holiday. Well, not quite anyway. The aim of taking sabbatical leave isn’t to rest (although that can be part of it), rather, sabbaticals tend to be taken with a certain objective in mind – this could range from long-term travel, to spending time with family, learning something new or even writing a book!

BE INSPIRED: What is the Art of Slow Travel and How Can I Master It?

What are the Benefits of Taking a Sabbatical?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trafalgar (@trafalgartravel)

There’s good reason why more and more people and businesses alike are embracing sabbatical travel. Taking a break and removing yourself from the daily grind to embark on an ‘adult gap year’, can bring many benefits to both your life and career, allowing you the opportunity to explore new directions in life, both personal and professional.

Furthermore, scientific research has shown that these benefits are real. A study comparing 129 employees who had taken sabbatical leave and 129 employees who did not, found that those who did take time off measured higher in a self-scoring assessment on life satisfaction, stress and other well-being measurements.

In a recent survey by Opodo , 71% of respondents said that they would take a sabbatical if they had the opportunity. Fortunately, businesses and organisations are now more willing than ever to consider extended leave for employees, as the measurable returns of sabbaticals for business is being recognised. It’s becoming almost a common belief that taking a break from the 9-5 lifestyle improves personal health and morale, resulting in an increase in employee motivation and problem solving skills, amongst other things. Sabbatical travel has revealed that taking a career break can lead to a higher overall workplace satisfaction and performance.

BE INSPIRED: Why a holiday is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the family

Where to travel for a sabbatical?

A sabbatical should be used as a time to focus on things that we don’t typically have sufficient time for. Naturally, the first thing that springs to mind for us is travel. Although knowing where to travel for a sabbatical can very easily become a tricky task!

What we do know is that discovering new countries and experiencing new cultures expands your horizon and allows you to learn more about the world that we live in. Being physically distant from the everyday environment creates space for reflection and recouping. Therefore, setting clear intentions for where to travel for a sabbatical and choosing a destination with purpose will help you to make the most out of your time away.

Still stuck on ideas on where to go? Here’s a short list of destinations that are worth considering for sabbatical travel:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Visit Argentina (@visitargentina)

Dive head-first into South American culture in the most cosmopolitan city on the continent, Buenos Aires, Argentina . Spend your mornings in Spanish language classes, exhaust your days with wine tastings and learn to tango by night. Learning to dance is such a great way to train your mind and body into learning a new skill; you’re listening to new music, while moving your body and meeting new people (which is great if you’ve chosen to travel solo on sabbatical!). Being the birthplace of the Argentine tango, there are many professional dance schools in Buenos Aires – however, you can also learn to dance at a milonga dance hall in the afternoons, where classes are free, before the expert dancers heat up the dance floor in the evenings.

South Africa

If you’re wanting to spend your sabbatical making an impact, spending some time volunteering somewhere like South Africa is great, as it helps you in learning new skills that can be used in both life and career. Choosing to spend time volunteering is a rewarding experience for you and the community with which you are giving back to.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australia (@australia)

If your sabbatical falls within the Northern Hemisphere’s cold winter months and you’re seeking an antidote, Australia is the perfect answer. Being both a country and a continent, Australia is a great place to spend your sabbatical travel. Whether you’re a city slicker, adventure seeker or simply just want to spend time in a tropical location, Australia offers everything you need to have a great sabbatical.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amazing Thailand (@tourismthailand)

Thailand has absolutely everything you could possibly imagine in a single country; from the most visited city on Earth – Bangkok – to isolated jungles. Whatever it is you’re seeking during your sabbatical travel, you should find it in the ‘Land of Smiles’. However, for those wanting to immerse themselves into a new culture, whilst still reflecting on your own, there are many great English teaching programs available in Thailand.

Are you ready to start planning your sabbatical travel? Let us know in the comments below!

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What is sabbatical leave? It's the best kept secret in HR

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What exactly is a sabbatical?

How does sabbatical leave work, 10 benefits of employee sabbatical, developing a sabbatical leave policy.

Time away from work has numerous benefits. With over half of the workforce in a state of languish (and even more on the way out the door ), employers have had to get creative about giving people a reason to stay at work. Turns out, letting them leave — for a little while — might be the best way to boost retention.

In 2018, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported that about 15% of employers were offering sabbaticals to their employees. That number is on the rise. Keep reading to find out what a sabbatical leave is, why it’s the best perk you’re not offering, and how it gives you an edge in the war for talent.

Traditionally offered to those in academic professions, sabbatical years were originally a way to give professors a break from teaching . Professors, who were thought leaders before it became a buzzword, were given a year of leave every seven years to pursue research or just time away.

It took over 150 years for the practice to spread to other fields. Even now, just 5% of companies offered paid sabbatical leave in 2018.

What is a sabbatical?

A sabbatical is an extended period of time away from work. During this time, employees are still employed and may still be paid. The employee can use this time as they like, whether for rest, learning new skills, writing, or Inner Work®.

The employee isn’t required to fulfill the obligations of their usual role during this time. But even though they’re not working, offering this leave can have tremendous benefits for workplace productivity .

Usually, a sabbatical is offered to employees after they’ve worked with the company for a certain amount of time. Legally, there’s no minimum requirement, but it’s usually at least 5 years.

There’s also no minimum requirement for how long a sabbatical should be. Because it’s not a vacation, there are certain considerations to keep in mind for a sabbatical. These might include training a replacement, covering duties, or other things that you don’t usually have to think about for shorter breaks. To get the most out of this type of leave, sabbaticals are usually at least four weeks and as long as a year.

Are employees paid during a sabbatical leave?

Employees are not required to be paid, but traditionally a sabbatical is paid time away. Organizations may stipulate that the employee is only entitled to a percentage of their pay or prevent them from doing other paid work. 

It’s a good idea to offer pay during a sabbatical from work. One of the primary benefits of sabbatical leave is improved well-being. Being under financial stress will significantly undermine that outcome. 

What is the difference between sabbatical and vacation?

A sabbatical is similar to a vacation, with a few important caveats. 

For one, a sabbatical is much longer. While some employers might have generous PTO policies, they often limit how long you can be away from work for leisure. You may not be paid or may risk losing your job after more than a few consecutive weeks of PTO, even if you have unlimited PTO .

For another, the intention behind each type of leave is different. Vacation time is usually recreational. People often use this time for family events, travel, or leisure.

However, an extended leave offers an opportunity to do something that you wouldn’t be able to do while employed full-time. Due to the typical length of a sabbatical, employees are often able to take on educational or professional development opportunities. These might include working on a book, taking a course, traveling, or any number of other activities.

Employees receive clear benefits from taking time from work , but a day here or there doesn’t always make the impact you’d like. Research indicates that it takes at least three to four days to decompress from work and ease into a vacation . That’s nearly the entire first week of sabbatical leave.

An extended break gives employees much-needed time to decompress. This makes the other benefits of time away from work more accessible. Here are some of the ways that a sabbatical benefits both employees and the organization:

Benefits of sabbatical leave for employees

• Reduced stress, depression, and anxiety
• Lower instances of (and ability to recover from) burnout
• Freedom to pursue other interests, like travel or volunteering
• Opportunities for skills development
• Provides time for reflection and Inner Work®

Benefits of sabbatical programs for organizations

• Improved employee retention
• Opportunities to train new leaders ( succession planning under stress)
• Increased creativity and innovation
• A more well-rounded, satisfied workforce
• Reduces cost of employee turnover

Providing a sabbatical leave policy is a valuable benefit. It can enrich your employee experience and pay dividends for your company. It also makes you an attractive choice for prospective talent. 

There are many sabbatical leave policy templates available online. If you’re looking to add a sabbatical policy to your employee benefits , there are some details you should consider before you get started.

What should the policy include?

Review the following eligibility questions with your executives and human resources:

• How long must an employee be with the company to qualify for sabbatical leave?
• How long is the sabbatical?
• Will leave be paid or unpaid? If paid, will employees receive their full salary?
• Will their activities be restricted?
• Are we requiring them to use their leave for specific purposes or to build work-related skill sets?
• Do they have to stay employed with the company for a certain amount of time following their leave?
• Will we allow leave to be extended? How long and under what conditions?
• How much notice does an employee need to provide before taking sabbatical leave?
• Will employees “lose” their sabbatical if not taken by a certain time?
• Can the manager or organization refuse a sabbatical, and under what circumstances?

Answering these questions will prepare you to put a thoughtful sabbatical leave policy in place. 

Examples of companies that offer sabbatical leave

Looking for inspiration? Here are some companies that have successful sabbatical leave policies in place:

Adobe offers a four to six-week sabbatical leave after 5 years of employment (and every five years after).

Paypal gives employees four weeks off for every five years of service.

Deloitte provides two types of sabbaticals. You can take an unpaid one-month leave for any reason. You can also opt for a three to six-month sabbatical for career development and volunteer opportunities at reduced pay.

Patagonia offers up to two months of paid leave for employees to participate in the Environmental Internship Program .

And finally, BetterUp offers a one-month sabbatical after at least five years of employment.

How to prepare for an employee’s sabbatical leave 

How you prepare for an employee's leave will depend on a few factors. First, you’ll need to know how long the employee will be on leave. You’ll also have to plan differently for employees that work directly with clients or that manage other employees.

No matter what, you'll need to determine whether or not you'll need someone to take over that employee's duties while they’re away. Work with their direct manager to decide if it's better to split those responsibilities up among others or hire someone to fill in.

If that employee is a client’s point of contact (for example, an account manager) be sure to leave ample time to introduce the client to their replacement.

Final thoughts

Sabbatical leave isn’t new, but it’s fairly uncommon in the corporate world. But plenty of companies are implementing sabbatical policies with great success. If you’re looking to boost morale, retention, productivity, and engagement at your organization, a sabbatical could be the answer. It provides employees with time to reflect, grow, and remember what they love about what they do.

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Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

More than an employee perk: unlimited pto – pros and cons

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Essential Tips For Planning An International Sabbatical

Barry Evans

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Twenty years ago, back before Airbnbs, Skype, Facebook, Netflix, or Zoom, my husband and I took off on a six-month self-designed sabbatical that turned into a year, and then into 20 months. Barry and I were having so much fun, we couldn’t stop! We started in Mexico, then spent eight months in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Ireland, and then back to Mexico, where, five years later, we bought a 200-year-old adobe house in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Guanajuato. We now spend a third of every year there. That’s the thing about taking extended time off: It can change your life in ways you don’t expect.

Although our world is vastly different today than it was in 2000, in many ways it’s easier now than it was then to take a sabbatical almost anywhere you want.

You may be thinking, Isn’t this a weird time to think about international travel? Counterintuitively, the pandemic is the perfect time to plan a sabbatical because while it’s true few of us are getting on airplanes right now, it’s likely we will be traveling sometime in the next 12 months, and you’ll need this gestation period to make decisions and prepare. For a successful sabbatical, here’s what you need to do, starting now:

1. Commit To A Date, If Not A Destination

You may not have decided where you want to go, but you need to know when. Mark it off on your calendar! Having committed, you can work backward and think through everything you need to handle.

2. Plan … Lightly

When we left the U.S. in 2000, our home wasn’t rented, so we didn’t want to be too far away until that was confirmed. We bought a one-way ticket to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico , where we stayed for all of four days. On day three, a couple we met invited us to go to nearby Guanajuato for the day with them in their car. We liked the city so much that we returned the next morning with our bags and stayed for four months. The beauty of a sabbatical is that you can seize the opportunities that show up unexpectedly, so don’t plan everything so tightly that you can’t flex.

3. The Web Is Your Friend

Research! If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can discover a lot before you leave home. Many towns abroad have English-language chat forums or Facebook user groups which provide information on costs, rentals, house-sitting opportunities, and other useful details.

4. To Work Or Not To Work?

If you’re like me, you may want to work part-time because it provides a structure around which to build the day. A sabbatical isn’t a vacation: You’re not going to visit museums and tourist sights every day and you’ll probably need to develop some kind of routine.

If you’re employed, ask management if you can take a leave or work remotely. This may turn out to be easier than you think. According to many sources, including The Atlantic , Zoom, Google Hangouts, and other digital platforms are here to stay, pandemic or no pandemic. Just be very clear how much time you want to spend working.

Many people take advantage of a sabbatical to contemplate a career change, using the extra time to brainstorm ideas and pursue training. One friend became certified to be a life coach; another studied painting and began selling her artwork on Etsy. Francophile Marianne C. Bohr, author of Gap Year Girl: A Baby Boomer Adventure Across 21 Countries, took intensive French in Aix-en-Provence. When she returned to the U.S, she quit her job in the publishing field and started teaching middle-school French.

5. Mind Your Money

Most of us can plan an extended period away only if we keep a check on our finances. Your biggest expenses will be airfare and housing. Although Barry and I fly to Europe from the West Coast every year, we haven’t paid for a ticket in over 15 years. By applying for a credit card with 40,000-60,000 bonus frequent flyer miles every couple of years, we’re able to build up our miles. We apply only when we know we can compress a lot of expenses into a short time period because you typically have to spend $3,000 to $4,000 within three months, which, for us, is much more than normal. When you know you have expenses coming up (dental work, kids’ college tuition, work on the house or car, et cetera), apply for a card with bonus miles, and your international flight will be paid for since you can usually book a one-way ticket for 32,500 miles.

As for housing, here are some tips on reducing your accommodation costs:

Avoid Northern Europe, Especially The Cities

Iconic European cities like London , Paris , and Amsterdam are beautiful, historic, culturally rich — and uber-pricey. Unless you have family or friends there, you can easily blow your budget in a couple of weeks. Just about anywhere else (other than North America, Australia, and New Zealand) will be much easier on your wallet. This leaves a lot of places! Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, even eastern Europe are good bets.

Rent For Longer Periods

Not only will you form a deeper connection to the area and get to know some locals, but the longer you stay in one place, the less you spend on transportation, and the more affordable housing is. When Barry and I rent an Airbnb, our goal is to stay a minimum of two weeks, and preferably a month or longer. Many Airbnbs offer a discount after a week and a bigger one after a month. If the Airbnb you’re interested in doesn’t, write the owner and negotiate.

Join A Home-Exchange Agency

As members of HomeExchange , where Barry and I list our Mexican house, we’ve stayed for free in Brittany, France; Prague; the west coast of Ireland; Medellin, Colombia; and Portland, Oregon. We’ve been successful by writing owners in a particular area to tell them when we’ll be in their location and asking if they’re interested.

Rent Or Sublet Your Home

When away from Guanajuato, we rent our Mexican home on Vrbo (formerly Vacation Rentals by Owner). If you live in a college town, try renting your home to a visiting academic for a semester.

6. Get Your Affairs In Order

In order to be carefree while away, you need to take care of logistics in advance. Twenty years ago, we had to hire a friend to take care of our business affairs, but happily, nowadays, most details can be handled automatically.

Money And Billing

Put utility bills, phone, internet, et cetera on automatic deduction several months before you leave so you’re sure they’re working; check that your passport and credit and debit cards won’t expire; join a bank that doesn’t charge for ATM withdrawals; call your bank to let them know you’ll be out of the country so your credit card isn’t declined.

Reduce your mail and have a friend check it occasionally. The Postal Service won’t hold mail past 30 days.

Make sure car registration and insurance are current (or cancel them) and decide where to store your car.

Prescriptions

You may be able to get medications abroad ( typically for a lot less ), but if in doubt make sure you have an abundance.

Use a cloud app like Dropbox to store important data. Back up all important documents. If traveling with a partner, carry photocopies of each other’s passport, credit and debit cards, et cetera.

At the airport where you arrive, look for a data provider that will insert a SIM card into your phone or iPad so you can have cell service. This is usually much cheaper than the international plan offered by your U.S. carrier. Save your SIM card for when you return to the U.S.

7. Pack Light, Feel Light

As without, so within: the less you schlep, the lighter you’ll feel. Although my bag is small enough to carry on as hand baggage, I still love having certain favorite belongings that meet my “Three P” criteria: personal, portable, or practical, such as my lightweight hiking shoes, my black PaperMate felt-tip pens (I’m notoriously picky about pens), favorite teas, a portable immersion water heater, spices that aren’t easy to find (because I enjoy cooking when abroad, and it’s another way to save), and of course, Alice, our stuffed rabbit.

So, mark your departure date, do your research, take one step, now another. Once you’ve completed the footwork, you’re set. You can travel, study, rest, earn — or all of the above. See you on the road!

Louisa writes articles and essays about travel, expat life, physical and psychological health, spirituality, and food. In 2022, four of her articles were among Travel Awaits' 25 most-read pieces.

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Sabbatical leave: What it is and how it works

A sabbatical leave is a period in which a team member takes an extended break from work for self-development. Find out the benefits of empowering your team to take a sabbatical and how it works.

Sabbatical leave is where you take an extended break from work for professional development, such as traveling for career growth. A sabbatical benefits the team members as well as the company because it reduces turnover and creates a more well-rounded team.

Since every company has unique policies around taking a sabbatical, it’s important to understand if your employer offers sabbatical leave and, if so, how it works and if you qualify. 

In this article, we’ve put together the most frequently asked questions around sabbatical leave and included some of the key benefits you can exprience by taking a leave of absence.

What is sabbatical leave?

Sabbatical leave is a period of time in which a team member takes an extended break from work. While the reasons to take an extended leave differ, the purpose of a sabbatical is for professional self-development. 

Sabbatical leave can also help prevent burnout and combat overwork by giving team members time and space to prioritize their mental health. In 2019, the World Health Organization classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon. And, according to the Anatomy of Work Index 2021 , 71% of knowledge workers experienced burnout at least once in the past year. 

Whether you’re looking to travel abroad to enrich your perspective or partake in a fellowship led by industry leaders, there are many reasons to participate in a sabbatical leave. 

From developing your skills to adding innovative ideas to your team, a sabbatical leave is an excellent experience if you have the opportunity to take one. It can help increase workforce productivity through improved morale, which decreases the likelihood of burnout. 

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How does a sabbatical work?

To kick off the sabbatical request process, you’ll usually start by communicating with your manager and human resources team that you’d like to take an extended leave. Questions you may need to discuss include:

The relevant laws and regulations surrounding extended leaves

The purpose of your sabbatical leave

The duration of your extended leave

What resources the team will use while you’re out

The insight you’ll gain during your leave 

Your human resources team can also guide you on any specific company policies, legal documentation, or applicable legal requirements you need to meet in order to qualify for a sabbatical leave. 

While some companies have an established sabbatical leave policy in place, others may not. In those scenarios, it’s possible they could agree to a sabbatical on a case-by-case basis depending on the benefits it would have for both the team member and the organization. 

There is often some paperwork that comes after the agreement. The stipulations you agree to will depend on your company’s policy and applicable laws and regulations, but will often require you to show proof of professional development in some way. For some, this could be a tool or process you bring back to the company; for others, it could be a simple write-up explaining what you gained from your leave.

Post-sabbatical, your team and manager will help get you up to speed on new projects in the pipeline. It’s important to utilize the new skills you gained from your sabbatical by offering fresh solutions to current problems. 

How long is sabbatical leave?

The availability and length of your sabbatical will depend on your organization’s policy and your country of employment, but it is generally anywhere from one month to a year long. 

Work with your manager to discuss how long of a sabbatical is right for you. While every company differs, a 12-week sabbatical is the most common . 

It’s important to understand the differences between a sabbatical vs. a leave of absence. Other leaves—such as sick leave or disability leave—have specific purposes and legal requirements based on the causes and requirements of the type of leave. Alternatively, a sabbatical is typically for the purpose of personal or professional growth.

We all take lunch breaks during the day. People take a day or two off each week, and several weeks off each year. A longer sabbatical every few years is similarly restorative.”

Is sabbatical leave paid?

Similar to the length of your sabbatical leave, whether or not your amount of time off is paid depends on your organization’s policy and the relevant laws and regulations. 

While some companies offer a paid sabbatical, that’s not always the case. Even if you do get a paid leave, there’s a possibility that it’s a percentage of your usual wage as opposed to your full pay.

Though an unpaid sabbatical may sound less appealing, taking a sabbatical from work will still offer you the opportunity to expand your personal and professional growth.

Work with your human resources department to learn more about the laws, regulations, and company policies surrounding sabbatical leave in your situation. They can also help you understand if your leave will be paid and if your employee benefits will apply during your absence.

Sabbatical leave rules and eligibility

At this point, you may be wondering if there are rules of a sabbatical leave and whether or not you could be eligible for one. Often, the factors that come into play are the employment laws and regulations in your area, how long you’ve been at the company, what position you’re in, whether or not you receive approval, and the length of your sabbatical.

In many cases, a sabbatical is only paid after a certain number of years of employment. For example, some companies allow a 12-week paid sabbatical after two years of being with the company full-time.

Another large component is the reason behind asking for a sabbatical. Most companies require you to provide more information than just “general career interests.”Your organization may require you to explain your sabbatical plans in detail for professional growth and how it will contribute to the organization’s goals. 

Once you’ve gotten eligibility consent, submit a formal request for approval.

How to submit a sabbatical request

Once you’ve gotten eligibility consent, you’ll likely need to submit a formal request for approval. In general, you’ll take the following steps to submit a sabbatical request to your company. However, every company’s request process will differ, so make sure you check with your legal and HR teams to confirm your sabbatical request process. 

Step 1: Connect with your team leads and HR department

Submitting a formal sabbatical request will often involve a series of paperwork from your human resources department. You may also need to submit your leave request to various team leads to ensure the entire organization is on board. 

Step 2: Submit a request form

Check with your internal human resources department to see if they have a form or set of documentation required. Below, you can see an example of a sabbatical leave request form—but always defer to your own company’s policies when submitting the request.

Sabbatical leave of absence requests often require details around the purpose, length, and return-to-office plan. Your HR department may also require you to make a formal team plan for work coverage while you’re out. This could include specifics around which team members are able to pick up your duties or any external resources you’ll need to use. 

While each sabbatical request looks different, take a look at an example below. Before submitting your sabbatical leave request form, always check with your human resources department for proper documentation.

Sabbatical leave request form

Name: Kat Mooney

Department: Marketing

Years of employment: 5

Sabbatical dates: 1/10–4/4

Statement of purpose:  

I would like to take a 12-week sabbatical leave to attend a leadership fellowship. This fellowship will give me the opportunity to learn under some of the industry’s most prestigious leaders. I will learn how to enhance my leadership skills, how to empower my team to reach new milestones, and build lasting relationships with emerging leaders from all over the country. 

Not only will this enhance my own personal and professional skills, but it will also allow me to bring what I learn back to the organization. I plan to implement the skills I learn with the team and lead workshops to enhance the skills of new and existing managers.

Team member signature: Kat Mooney

Approval signature: Daniela Vargas

Step 3: Make a formal team plan

Your HR department may also require you to make a formal team plan for work coverage while you’re out. This could include specifics around which team members are able to pick up your duties or any external resources they’ll need to use. 

Step 4: Prepare a post-sabbatical report

You may be required to submit a report post-sabbatical explaining in thorough detail the activities you took part in and what you learned during your leave.

6 Benefits of sabbatical leave

There are many benefits of both taking a sabbatical as a team member and providing sabbatical leave as an organization.

While an extended leave may not sound like the best road to improved efficiency, encouraging sabbatical leaves and work-life balance in general can have amazing benefits on team productivity and overall morale. The key is to plan out resources ahead of time to ensure work is evenly distributed among team members.

High-performance cultures don’t happen organically; they’re designed, architected and built with intention: your intention.”

Benefits of sabbatical leave for team members

1. reduces burnout.

With burnout on the rise, it’s crucial for leaders to listen to their team. Nearly half (46%) of knowledge workers cite being overworked as a key factor contributing to burnout, with 29% feeling overworked from a lack of clarity on tasks and roles. Empowering team members to take a sabbatical will improve mental health and reduce team burnout in the long run. 

2. Encourages skill development

Team members might look for new opportunities to broaden their skill set by using a sabbatical leave for professional development. A team member can broaden their knowledge and skill base in ways that are applicable to their job within the organization. 

They might also pick up new perspectives and insights that enhance their readiness for either a promotion within the company or for their existing role, which is a great perk..

3. Offers freedom to pursue other interests

Giving your staff members the opportunity to explore other interests is a terrific approach to boost their mental well-being and make them feel appreciated at work. Traveling, writing, or giving their time to support a cause that is dear to them are just a few examples.

Benefits of sabbatical leave for organizations

4. drives productivity.

Sabbatical leave fosters wellbeing and lowers stress , which are essential for better productivity over the long term. With 41% of workers saying that stress leads them to be less productive, it’s important for employers to prioritize the mental health and wellness of their team. 

A sabbatical leave could be a great opportunity to give team members a much needed break to recharge and pursue other passions that are fulfilling.

5. Increases creativity and innovation

The most significant leadership attribute, according to over 60% of CEOs , is creativity. Working with thought leaders during a sabbatical leave allows team members to be motivated by fresh knowledge and training, which increases their creativity. Whether your sabbatical requires travel or empowering lessons from a nearby expert, taking a leave for professional development inspires team members to be creative and bring innovative ideas back to the rest of the team. 

6. Reduces turnover

By allowing sabbaticals, employee turnover can be reduced. If team members have the option of taking a lengthy leave of absence, they could be less likely to hunt for employment elsewhere. This promotes employee retention and can be very cost-effective for the company since less money is required to train new team members.

Sabbatical leaves inspire your team to grow their skills and to always make mental health a priority. Not only do sabbaticals improve team morale , but they also encourage individuals to use their thought leadership to teach others.

Empower your team with sabbatical leave

A sabbatical leave doesn’t just benefit those that take it, but it always benefits your entire team. When each team member expands their knowledge, the whole team grows.

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What you need to know about sabbatical leave

Last updated

13 January 2024

Reviewed by

Shawnna Johnson

Most employees are dedicated to their careers. Many spend the majority of their week either at the office, surrounded by co-workers, or working remotely in a home-office environment. However, even the most devoted employee sometimes wants to step away for an extended period.

If an employee wants to take time away, they can take sabbatical leave. A sabbatical is an extended break from work that allows employees to spend more time on their interests, including travel, hobbies, education, or volunteering.

During sabbatical leave, the employee is still technically employed by the company, but they do not have to report to work. With more and more people embracing the power of solid work–life balance, sabbatical leave is a benefit that employers should understand and consider offering.

• What is sabbatical leave?

The definition of sabbatical leave is a "break from work," one that allows employees to pursue their passions or self-development. Sabbatical leave differs from other types of leave in that it is not usually directly related to a health concern or medical issue.

Most employees who take a sabbatical do so because they want to work on personal interests. Reasons for a sabbatical can include finishing a degree, traveling the world, or spending time with family.

• Sabbatical leave for employees

Going on a sabbatical has significant benefits for employees and employers. Taking a sabbatical allows you to enjoy a healthy work–life balance and recharge, away from the demands of the office.

How long is sabbatical leave?

There's no set length of time for a sabbatical. In general, a sabbatical is any stint of time longer than a standard vacation request and can range from 30 days to 12 months.

Your organization might have specific rules in place for sabbatical leave, or they might handle requests on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, employers may refer to a sabbatical as “personal leave.”

How does sabbatical leave work?

To initiate your request for a sabbatical, you'll first need to talk to your manager. Explain that you want to take a sabbatical and be prepared to outline the reasons why. After talking to your manager, coordinate with your human resources department for details on any existing company policies governing sabbaticals.

You'll likely need to discuss how long you think you'll be away, as well as what resources your team will need while you're out. You will probably also need to fill out specific paperwork for legal reasons.

Is sabbatical leave paid or unpaid?

Whether or not sabbatical leave is paid or unpaid depends on the company. Some businesses offer paid sabbatical leave, but that's not always the case.

Sabbatical leave is considered an employee benefit, and as such, it's up to the discretion of the organization. If sabbatical leave is a benefit that's important to you, and if you're actively looking for new employment, consider asking about that policy during the acceptance phase of your interview.

• Sabbatical leave for employers

Sabbatical leave isn't just a boon for employees. Employers can reap rewards from allowing employees to take extended time away from work while remaining employed.

There are several reasons why employers should consider offering sabbatical leave as a benefit, but there are also some drawbacks.

The benefits of offering a sabbatical

Employees will see it as a sign that your organization strongly believes in a good work-life balance. Sabbatical leave can also help prepare your team for unexpected absences, testing the ability of your employees and the integrity of your business processes.

Some employees use sabbaticals to complete education that can be used when they return to work. Sabbaticals can act as a safeguard against employee burnout. Many employees use their sabbaticals for volunteer work, allowing companies to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility.

The challenges of offering sabbatical leave

It's not always easy to offer sabbatical leave. A valued employee stepping away from work for weeks or months at a time can leave your company in a bind, forcing you to meet goals and deadlines with a reduced staff.

There can also be financial implications. If you offer paid sabbaticals, your company could pay out a great deal of resources for this benefit. Even unpaid sabbaticals can place strain on existing employees, forcing you to consider the cost of hiring and training additional help.

Decisions must also be made on how employee benefits such as medical care will be covered during their absence.

• What should a sabbatical leave policy look like?

Just as every company is different, sabbatical leave policies are not all the same. Feel free to tailor your policy to the needs and goals of your company.

Consider some basics when creating your policy. For example, think about how long an employee will be required to work at the company before becoming eligible for a sabbatical, or whether you will only offer sabbaticals for specific reasons, such as volunteering or the pursuit of education.

Sabbatical leave: Paid or unpaid?

One of the most important decisions you'll make when creating your company's sabbatical leave policy is whether it will be paid or unpaid. You can opt to pay employees their full salary or a partial salary during their time away. You could also base your paid or unpaid sabbatical leave on how long the employee has been with the company and what activity they plan to pursue during their sabbatical.

Keep in mind that, without compensation of some sort, many employees will be dissuaded from taking a sabbatical, since they might not be able to afford extended unpaid time away from work.

Another option is to continue the employee’s health benefits while on sabbatical. Sometimes this is enough incentive for the employee to return once the leave is complete.

A sabbatical is any length of time longer than a typical vacation and typically ranges from 30 days to 12 months. You can offer a set amount of time that employees can take away from work or choose to handle sabbatical requests on a case-by-case basis.

However you choose to structure your policy, stay consistent. You want to avoid any claims of bias or discrimination.

Who can take a sabbatical?

Sabbaticals are more than standard vacation requests. Carefully consider which kinds of employees should be eligible for one.

In many companies, sabbaticals are considered a reward for many years of dedicated service. Sabbaticals can be used as a retention tool, offered after five or ten years of employment.

Consider what makes sense for your company and what best aligns with your organization's core values and business needs.

How to prepare for an employee's sabbatical leave

Preparing properly for an employee's sabbatical will ensure your business runs smoothly while a team member is out for an extended period.

Know exactly how long the employee will be on leave, and figure out how you'll split their duties while they're away or if you’ll need to hire temporary help. Plan this before the sabbatical starts, so you have enough time to talk to the team members who are taking over.

Make sure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement and know that you might need to hire a fill-in if there are too many duties for your existing team members to handle. If the employee taking a sabbatical is the main point of contact with clients, make sure a replacement is chosen and that the client is introduced properly to that person.

• Alternatives to sabbatical leave

For many reasons, some employees aren't able to take extended time away from work, especially if that time is unpaid or the business cannot support the extended absence.

However, there are still options for dedicated employees to enjoy some rest. Standard vacation or paid time off (PTO) allows workers to recharge away from the office. Employers might consider including some additional PTO days into their benefits package as a perk for employees who stay with the company for longer than a year or two.

You could also offer shorter unpaid time off separate from PTO. Sometimes, one or two days a week can be as beneficial as a full sabbatical.

Can I resign after my sabbatical?

You can resign after your sabbatical unless there's a stipulation in the company policy or your employment contract that safeguards against this. If you might want to leave your job during or after a sabbatical, familiarize yourself with your company's policies and procedures, so you know what to expect.

What's the difference between a sabbatical and normal leave?

Both a sabbatical and regular leave involve significant time away from work, either paid or unpaid, but the reasons for taking them differ.

A sabbatical is typically used for self-improvement purposes, such as volunteering, education, or pursuing personal passions. A leave of absence is typically taken by an employee facing a difficult time, such as a family death or a serious health concern for themselves or a family member.

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Guide to Sabbatical Leave: Benefits, Policies, and Examples

There are various types of leave that employers can offer employees, including vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, time in lieu and floating holidays. There is also another less common type of leave that increasing numbers of businesses choose to offer as an employment benefit: sabbatical leave.

Although, historically, only a small percentage of non-academic businesses offered paid or unpaid sabbatical leave, this figure has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. The main reason for this is that sabbatical leave can be a great tool for preventing employee burnout and increasing retention levels.

So, what is a sabbatical leave from work? Should it be paid or unpaid? Who is entitled to take it? And what do you need to consider when you design your sabbatical leave policy? These are just some of the questions we will be addressing in this post.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is sabbatical leave?

Is sabbatical the same as pto, what is paid sabbatical, how long is sabbatical leave, how to create a sabbatical leave policy, what is a sabbatical program, do all companies offer sabbatical leave.

• Track all types of employee leave with HR software 🚀

Let’s start with a sabbatical leave definition.

Sabbatical leave is an extended period of paid or unpaid leave that companies can offer eligible employees. There are no laws relating to sabbatical leave. Whether or not an employee is eligible will depend on company policy. It also usually depends on the length of service and an employee’s reasons for requesting an extended leave of absence.

Employees can request a sabbatical for a number of personal and professional reasons including travel, study, volunteering (VTO) , or spending time with family. Although traditionally a benefit reserved for academic environments, many other industries are now choosing to adopt sabbatical policies. This is because sabbaticals can help reduce burnout, increase retention levels, and improve employee satisfaction rates.

Sabbaticals are not a vacation or a means to prevent post-vacation blues . It is also not the same as a career break. The main reason for taking a sabbatical is studying or training to advance career prospects. This means that it doesn’t just benefit the health and wellbeing of employees; it also boosts the overall development of a company’s knowledge and skills sets.

The biggest difference between sabbatical leave and paid time off is the duration of the absence from work. Sabbatical is an extended period of time away from work, while PTO is basically vacation time – it is generally shorter and spread out on several days throughout the year. The other big difference is pay – while PTO is paid time off, sabbatical is not necessarily paid, though sometimes it is the case. This depends on the agreement between employee and employer unless the law states otherwise.

P aid sabbatical leave just means that an employee is being paid – partially or in full – for the duration of their absence. As opposed to obligations enforced by paid sick leave law, if you offer sabbaticals to certain employees it is up to you whether or not you classify it as paid time off .

There are a number of benefits to offering full or partial pay to employees that take a sabbatical leave:

• Your employees have time to learn new skills and gain knowledge and experience which they can bring back to your company.
• A sabbatical policy can help you foster a personal development culture. It also highlights that you provide opportunities for career growth, which can help improve employee satisfaction and motivation levels.
• The happier and more motivated your employees are, the higher your rate of retention will be. This is because employees value that you support them in all their goals (professional and personal time off ).
• Happy employees also result in lower turnover rates . Given that turnover costs companies an average of $4,000 per new hire, offering sabbaticals to certain eligible employees can be much more cost-effective in the long run.
• It’s a great perk that can help you attract top talent.
• Employees have time to de-stress. This means they come back refreshed, reinvigorated, and more motivated.

The sabbatical leave period depends on you. Leave should be longer than standard employee vacations, which usually means at least four to six weeks. It should also be less than a year, which would generally be construed as being more of a career break.

The leave duration that you offer will probably also depend on an employee’s years of service. For example, Adobe offers four weeks of leave to employees that have been with the company for at least five years, and five weeks to those who have been employed for over ten years.

It is up to you to decide what works best for your organization. Whatever you decide, you should make sure all terms are clearly defined in your sabbatical / leave of absence policy .

As an employer, you will receive many types of time-off requests . It’s important to create separate policies for each absence type. For example, you should have a defined policy for employee annual leave that details the procedure for absence management and the method you use for tracking employee absences . You might use time tracking software, or use a template such as our free 2022 Time Off Tracker Template .

The same applies to sabbatical leave, whether it is paid or unpaid. You need to make sure you clearly define all your sabbatical leave rules and procedures so that there is no confusion later down the line.

Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to keep in mind when you create your unpaid or paid sabbatical leave policy.

Paid Sabbatical Leave Policy

There are a number of crucial aspects that you will find in a model sabbatical leave policy. For example, you need to make sure you clearly define key elements relating to eligibility, whether or not employees are paid during a sabbatical, and the duration of leave that employees can request.

Are all employees eligible for paid sabbatical leave? Is there a minimum length of service? What reasons can they give for requesting leave? Does it have to be for professional reasons or will you offer paid leave for personal reasons too? Will they get full or partial pay? If you are paying for an employee to take paid sabbatical leave, will they need to remain at your company for a specific length of time after their return?

The key to success is clarity and transparency.

Unpaid Sabbatical Leave Policy

The same advice applies if you are creating an unpaid sabbatical leave policy. Even if you don’t pay an employee on sabbatical, you will still classify them as an employee, so you need to clearly define your expectations and their obligations. For example, employees are still bound by policies on harassment, confidentiality, and data protection whilst on unpaid sabbatical leave.

Another aspect to consider is whether employees can combine leaves. For example, can an employee take maternity leave then extended it with an unpaid sabbatical? Or can they add an unpaid sabbatical to a Family Medical Leave to care for a sick relative?

It’s important that you consider all these aspects, whether you are offering a paid or unpaid leave of absence.

Drafting a comprehensive sabbatical policy is important, as it sets out the rules, conditions, and eligibility for sabbatical leave. It doesn’t stop there though. You also need to nurture the right culture so that the initiative is a success.

This is where a sabbatical program comes in.

A sabbatical program helps you create the right environment for your initiative to flourish. It helps you communicate the benefits of the program and the support that employees will receive. And for your program to work, all your managers need to be on board.

Your managers should take an active role in identifying potential candidates for sabbaticals. Who would benefit from a period of extended leave for professional development? By actively promoting your policy and engaging employees you are far more likely to benefit from a successful program that boosts productivity and morale.

Sabbaticals aren’t right for every company. Whether or not it would work for you will depend on a number of aspects.

For example, budget is a huge concern for many companies. That is why sabbaticals tend to be offered by larger, more established companies rather than start-ups with limited resources. And even if you have the resources, it may not necessarily be a good fit for your business model.

On the other hand, companies of all sizes that are experiencing high turnover may consider implementing a sabbatical program and other flexible work options.  These programs may successfully reduce turnover costs and improve employee morale.

If you are still not sure, then consider the following:

• Your goal: what do you hope to achieve by offering paid or unpaid sabbaticals?
• How will you measure the success of the program? For example, will you track metrics relating to retention or development?
• If an employee takes a sabbatical, how will it impact the various teams and departments in your company? Will you hire temporary replacements or distribute workloads amongst other employees?
• How will you define eligibility? By seniority or years of service?
• How much will it cost you vs how much will you save? For example, if you only offer sabbatical leave for professional development, what ROI do you expect to receive?
• You also need to calculate the cost of sabbaticals vs the cost of turnover. Will the benefits you receive outweigh the cost of offering paid or unpaid sabbatical leave? Make sure the cost of an employee’s development is worth the investment.

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What Is A Sabbatical? (And How To Take One)

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Your vacation time is a valuable resource that allows you to relax and do the things you enjoy with the people you love. Imagine getting to do that for multiple weeks or months in a row instead of one or two weeks throughout the year.

You could return to work rejuvenated and ready to take on and even enjoy your responsibilities again.

All this could be possible with a sabbatical, so read on to find out how.

Key Takeaways:

A sabbatical is time away from work designed to give you a break long enough to fully disconnect and allow yourself to accomplish something you truly want to do

A sabbatical can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more.

During a sabbatical you could backpack across Europe, learn a new language, or finally pick up that woodworking hobby you’ve been slowly collecting equipment for.

Check your companies policy for sabbatical leave and prepare as much information about your trip before presenting it to your boss .

What Is a Sabbatical?

How to take a sabbatical from work, what to do if your company doesn’t have a sabbatical leave policy, what to include in a sabbatical leave policy, sabbatical faq.

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A sabbatical is an extended period of rest from your regular work. It’s a specific time – separate from your regular annual leave – designed to give you a break long enough to fully disconnect and allow yourself to accomplish something you truly want to do.

It might sound counterproductive that companies would allow and even encourage this, but it can be highly beneficial for both individuals and the organizations they work for.

Staying constantly busy and overwhelmed is a recipe for burnout, while intentionally taking a “sabbath” or “rest” is vital to remaining a healthy and productive human being.

Some common reasons people take sabbatical leave include:

To travel and learn about new cultures

To study a subject you love

To spend time with a mentor learning tricks of the trade

To get some needed rest

To volunteer

To pursue a journey of self-discovery

To conduct research for a book

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have a reason for doing it, even if that’s just to give your mind the chance to fully relax for the first time in years.

And, when you’re on a sabbatical, you shouldn’t be checking your work email or worrying about how the office is carrying on without you. This is your chance to disconnect completely. It’ll all be there when you return.

Check company policy. If your employer has a specific procedure for taking a sabbatical, you should find out about it as soon as you can so that you can prepare accordingly.

Sometimes, companies require employees to take their sabbaticals during specific time frames or commit to staying at the company for a certain length of time after returning. This is a good thing to note if you plan to do some soul searching during your sabbatical that might result in a career change upon your return.

Check your bank account. Not all companies will pay for a sabbatical in full, or even at all. You want to calculate all of your expenses such as cost of living, travel expenses, cost of food, and anything else you might need money for. You will need to have enough money to cover the cost if your employer won’t pay for it, and you also need to remember that you will have bills that still need to be paid.

Make sure you have enough money before making the decision because you don’t want to be stranded in a foreign country and have your credit card declined.

Prepare. Before meeting with your boss, make sure you prepare yourself with information. You’ll want to know when you are taking your sabbatical, how long it will be, what the work load will be like for others.

This might be a temporary hire, or it might be a combination of people stepping in to pick up the slack. Either way, though, you’ll need to work to tie up loose ends as much as possible so that the handoff goes smoothly.

Let your employer know. Generally, though, you’ll need to let your company know far in advance (months, if not longer) that you plan to take a sabbatical and when you’ll be gone. You should be prepared to answer any questions they will ask. You may have to negotiate why you should be able to take a sabbatical and the benefits that will come with it.

You may have to do paperwork at this stage if they agree so be prepared for anything. Make sure everything is confirmed with them and everything is squared away before you leave.

Stay in touch. When you are on your sabbatical, remember that you’re still an employee at the organization. Their policies still apply to you, so don’t take this as an opportunity to go wild with no consequences.

Some organizations, especially smaller ones, don’t have established sabbatical leave policies. If this is the case, you will need to make your case for why they should allow you to take this time off in addition to your regular vacation days.

To do this, you’ll need to make a proposal to present to your company leaders. You might also need to be okay with taking the sabbatical without pay.

When you’re creating your proposal, consider how your organization will benefit from your time off. Your employer isn’t just going to let you go on sabbatical without some reason to do so. Think through what you hope to accomplish and how it will benefit the organization. This could include:

Learning a new skill that will help you better succeed in your role. If you plan to learn a foreign language or take classes at a university, this is an easy way to convince your employer that your time on sabbatical will benefit the organization.

Researching your current and potential markets. If you want to do some traveling during your time off, first-hand market research might be a good reason to do so. Just make sure you actually use the time for research and not to sit on the beach for two months.

Giving yourself time to recharge and come back with fresh ideas and insights. This is an especially reasonable request after you complete a major project or after you’ve been working faithfully at the company for a while.

Giving other employees the opportunity to step up. This reason is best combined with one or two others, but if you have some up-and-coming employees under you, point out that this would be a great opportunity to let them handle more responsibilities on a trial basis.

If you’re the one who could put a sabbatical leave policy in place in your organization, here are some considerations you’ll want to cover in your policy:

What is the purpose of the sabbatical? The answer to this depends on your organization. If you’re struggling to keep employees from burning out, it might be worth letting them use their sabbatical however they please.

On the other hand, you might want to only approve sabbaticals for specific purposes that further the organization’s mission and vision. If your company values charity work , you might specify that sabbatical leave can only be used for approved volunteer work.

How long will the sabbatical be? Once you’ve figured out what purpose employees’ sabbaticals will serve, you’ll need to determine how long they can be gone.

The most important factor to base this decision on is the goal for the time off, as you need to provide enough time for them to accomplish the goal.

Who qualifies for sabbatical leave? Similar to determining the length of the sabbaticals, you might want to base this decision on the length of time employees have worked at the organization.

Often companies begin allowing employees to take extended leave after working at the company for five years, but this may not be the best fit for your organization.

When can employees take their sabbatical? Some companies allow their employees to take a sabbatical whenever they want. Others only allow them to take time off within a specific window of qualifying for the leave.

How do employees get approval for sabbatical leave? Once you’ve determined the parameters for your company’s sabbatical policy, you’ll need to make it very clear how employees can take advantage of it.

Lay out how far in advance they have to seek approval, who they need to ask, what information they need to present in order to get approval, and how their pay and other benefits will be handled while they’re gone.

What happens to my job while I’m on sabbatical?

While sabbatical guarantees that a similar position and responsibilities will be available upon your return, your job function or title might change while you’re away. It’s similar to the rules about employees who take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) .

Consider how likely a major shift in your job is before taking a sabbatical. That’s part of the reason why they’re so common in academia, where the role has stayed virtually the same for the last couple of millennia.

What is sabbatical learning?

Sabbatical learning is a period of leave from work dedicated to furthering your skills through education. Employers benefit from this productive time as well, and so are more likely to grant sabbaticals to those who will spend them wisely.

Is sabbatical leave good or bad?

Sabbatical leave can be a good thing with the right policies in place. Employers have valid concerns about paying employees for a year off, only to have them quit upon returning from their sabbatical.

And employees have valid worries about their job security and pay when they get back. But overall, if everyone is on the same page about the function and protocol of sabbatical leave, it is a great policy that can reduce burnout and revitalize your team.

Can anyone take a sabbatical?

Yes, technically anyone can take a sabbatical. But if your company doesn’t already have a sabbatical policy in place, then you’ll have to make a case for yourself. If you’re willing to take an unpaid sabbatical, an employer is much more likely to consider the idea.

Also, the length of time you’ve been with your company plays a big role in allowing for sabbaticals, so we don’t recommend asking in your first couple of years with an employer.

Is sabbatical leave paid or unpaid?

Sabbatical leave is paid most of the time, but it depends on your company. During your sabbatical, you may only receive a percentage of your regular pay, however.

Even if you don’t get paid, though, there is a lot of value in being able to take a break while knowing that your job will still be there for you when you get back.

How long is a sabbatical?

A sabbatical can last for anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more, but the length of a sabbatical depends on your industry and individual company. For example, colleges and universities often offer their faculty an entire school year to devote themselves to their studies outside the classroom.

For workers in other industries, though, a sabbatical can be anywhere from a month to a year long. Some companies also have policies that use the length of time you’ve worked for the organization as a determiner for how much time you get, just like your regular vacation days.

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Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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How To Take a Sabbatical to Travel the World

Written By: The Planet D

Digital Nomads

Updated On: December 13, 2021

Once you’ve been working for 10 years or more and your career seems well underway, you might feel as though the opportunity to take a sabbatical to travel the world .

But the idea of taking a sabbatical , or a year off work, is one that has spread from the fringes of mainstream society into offices and workplaces all over the world. Today, many people consider a career break at some point or another in order to travel or to fulfill some other ambition that burns inside them.

Tips to Take a Sabbatical and Travel the World

Not everyone has to quit their jobs to travel the world . Many people love their work and don’t want to leave it all behind, but still have a yearning to get out and explore.

There are thousands of people that take a year out from their careers and return to a fulfilling and successful working life after travel.

If the idea of a sabbatical appeals to you, here are a few of the most important steps along the way to realising your dream trip around the world.

1. Talk to your boss

Your company may well already have systems in place to allow staff to take extended periods of paid or unpaid leave once they have worked for the company for a given length of time.

If this is the case, you should be able to make arrangements with your employer quickly and easily, establishing the dates between which you will be out of work and the terms of your return to employment after your trip.

If your contract of work does not mention sabbaticals, don’t assume that you won’t be able to take one.

Have a chat with your boss and find out if there is any scope for a period of leave. You will be surprised with how flexible some companies are.

2. Assess your situation

The best time to take a traveling sabbatical is when you are going to be free to make the most of it. If you have responsibilities at home you might not be in the best position to go flying off around the world.

If you have a family, that doesn’t have to stop you from traveling, just be sure that it is something that they want to do and that you are prepared for.

Many families travel the world successfully and it can be the best education for children.

Take everyone’s feelings into consideration. Do you have any large events coming up that would let your friends or family down if you aren’t there?

You will have a much better time traveling and get the most out of your experience if you take everything into consideration and leave without guilt of letting a loved one down.

But if you have a year or so ahead of you that doesn’t seem particularly busy, then you might be in an ideal position to take some time off work and plan your trip around the world.

3. Make arrangements for your home

Once you have made sure your in the position to take a sabbatical and you have checked that your employer will allow you the time off, you may need to make arrangements for your home if you are a homeowner.

Options include inviting friends or family to house-sit for you while you are away, renting out the house to tenants for the period in which you are travelling, or even selling your house and waiting until you return to buy another one.

The most popular option amongst homeowners who take an extended period of travel is to rent out their home to cover the cost of the mortgage while enlisting the help of friends or family to assist with the maintenance arrangements in their absence.

It is worth noting here that leaving your house unattended for a long period can void any existing home and contents insurance policy.

4. Choose your destinations

When traveling for the first time it is important to plan out at least a loose itinerary.  You can either buy a flight to a particular region of the world and travel overland or you can find a travel operator that offers round-the-world tickets and select the destinations you wish to visit on your trip!

Depending on the terms of your ticket, you may be limited to certain routes and flight directions at certain times, so check with your travel operator before setting your heart on a particular route. There are many travel blogs out there to help you decide where you want to go in the world

5. Cover against problems

Taking out worldwide travel insurance is an absolute must before any round-the-world trip. The cost of travel insurance is miniscule in comparison with the potential cost of having to rearrange travel plans without insurance when problems arise en route.

Use insurance comparison websites to find the best deal that offers the correct level of travel insurance cover for your needs.

Long term travel doesn’t have to be expensive. If you stay in locally run guest houses or hostels, eat a local restaurants and hire local guides, you will be able to make your money last longer. It is important to have an idea of how much it will cost so that you don’t come home to a mound of debt.

Plan how long you will be gone for and how much money you will need to be able to travel the way you want to travel. There is nothing worse than coming home from a life changing experience to a pile of bills.

It will ruin the experience of everything that you accomplished and saw while you spend your time figuring out a way to pay it all off. You want your travels to be positive in every way.

So if you have been considering a sabbatical, start planning now and soon you will be on your way to seeing the world.

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Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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3 thoughts on “How To Take a Sabbatical to Travel the World”

Thanks for sharing this great advice and encouraging others to take the plunge — it’s the best thing our family ever did! I’d like to add to a couple of points above — regarding family, I encourage people to think about the age & stage of their kid(s). We did our year-long RTW journey when our two kids were 11 and 8, so we taught them the equivalent of 6th and 3rd grade on the road (and then transitioned back to 7th and 4th grade at a regular public school this fall w/o much trouble). I think this is a great age because they’re old enough to remember and learn from the destiations–and to carry their own stuff (we had a “carry your own stuff” family rule that applied to them, too!)–but they’re young enough that we didn’t have to fulfill the more rigorous academic demands of middle/high school. We traveled abroad with them when they were toddlers & little kids, and I’m glad we waited to do the big trip til they were older; conversely, I have friends with teenagers in high school, and they said, “you’re so smart to travel when they’re this age, because when they hit high school, they’re so wrapped up in their school, sports and social lives that they won’t want to leave.” Plus, I feel it extended my preteen daughter’s childhood by a year insofar as she had a year to play and bond with her little brother, who became her de facto best friend, whereas her sixth-grade friends back home were in the throes of puberty and growing up too fast. Anyway … I also highly recommend renting out a house. It’s a pain and a bit scary to hand the house over to someone, but it worked out great for us and helped offset our costs greatly. Finally, if you need help planning an itinerary, I boiled down my advice for this article The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Long-Term Travel .

Thanks for the great advice regarding traveling with kids. I am glad that you had a positive experience traveling with your family. And renting a house is another great idea. Cheers.

I started thinking about taking a sabbatical a year ago and now I’m just a few months away from taking one. It’s really not that difficult and employers have become more receptive to them as they see the benefit not only to the employee but to the company as well. Of course sometimes convincing them of your value can be trying. I requested a year off but was only able to get 5 months. Maybe I’ll just stay on permanent sabbatical.

I think you’ve hit on some great points here and they are all things we’ve considered before jumping into our own sabbatical. Budget is probably the biggest thing that holds people back before they discover that depending on where you go it’s not as expensive as one might think.

What Is Sabbatical Leave?

Everything you need to know about the ancient practice that became a modern workplace perk.

A sabbatical is a paid period of leave someone takes off work while still remaining employed by their company. It’s a benefit that some companies give to long-tenured employees as a way to reward them for their work.

Sabbatical Definition

A sabbatical is a paid period of time off from work, which some companies offer to employees after a certain amount of years of service. Sabbaticals usually last anywhere from one month to one year, and they provide time and space for workers to rest, travel and learn new skills.

Several companies, including banks Citi and Goldman Sachs, have rolled out sabbatical programs in recent years. And some tech companies, like Adobe and Intel, have had policies in place for a while. Even so, sabbaticals are still a relatively niche perk . But it may just be a matter of time before they become mainstream.

What Is a Sabbatical Leave?

Sabbaticals in the modern workplace refer to extended paid breaks that long-tenured employees are given by their employers as a benefit or perk . But the concept’s roots are much older.

According to ancient Jewish tradition, people were to work continuously in the fields for six years. In the seventh year, they were to take a break. This sabbath year, as it was called, was considered a time of renewal and reflection.

The practice evolved in 1880, when Harvard University established the first sabbatical leave policy for faculty members, granting paid leaves to professors after their sixth year of employment. This policy came with the understanding that professors would return feeling refreshed and reinvigorated after spending time away from campus for research and study. The idea caught on , and by 1900, another nine colleges and universities across the United States had implemented sabbatical policies.

Types of Sabbatical Leaves

• Fully paid sabbatical : People are given their usual compensation during their time off.
• Partially paid sabbatical: People are given half or quarter base pay during their time off.
• Unpaid sabbatical: People remain employed with the company but are not paid during their time off.

Today, sabbatical programs are ubiquitous in higher education. According to a 2016 report by Sibson Consulting, 85 percent of the 450 colleges and universities surveyed offer their faculty fully paid sabbaticals. The median sabbatical leave was 20 weeks.

It’s difficult to pinpoint when exactly sabbaticals made the leap from college campuses to corporate HR policy handbooks. Some trace the first corporate sabbatical back to McDonald’s, which began in the 1960s and is still going strong, with eight weeks of paid sabbatical leave offered to full-time salaried employees who put in 10 years of continuous service.

No matter the context, it seems the defining features of any sabbatical are that it’s longer than a typical vacation, with a special emphasis on rest, rejuvenation or studies.

How Long Are Sabbaticals?

Sabbaticals in the corporate world usually clock in at four to six weeks. But some experts believe they should be longer.

“Ideally, sabbaticals are measured in months, not weeks,” said DJ DiDonna, an entrepreneur and founder of the Sabbatical Project , an initiative designed to spread awareness about the positive effects of sabbaticals.

While a month-long sabbatical is better than nothing, DiDonna said, it takes most people at least a month, if not two, to fully unplug and recover from their work routines and tap into the larger positive effects sabbaticals have to offer. For him, three to six months is the ideal length. Anything less than that is too short to unlock the benefits unique to sabbaticals.

“What a few months allows you to do is to step back from your normal, routine life and step into a different flow of life.”

In contrast to vacations, the average amount of which an American employee takes each year hovers around two weeks, sabbaticals are lengthy enough to provide the necessary distance from work for people to reflect on their identity and discover (or rediscover) their core values.

“What a few months allows you to do is to step back from your normal, routine life and step into a different flow of life,” said Lyndall Farley, who runs the sabbatical consultancy Beyond a Break . “And [that allows you to] shed the roles you have to play in your ordinary life ... and really get back to the essence of who you are.”

Related 28 Tech Companies With the Best Work-Life Balance

What Do People Do on Sabbaticals?

Sabbaticals look different for everyone. Some resemble stretched-out vacations, with plenty of rest and relaxation. Others are more structured and intentional, with volunteer or upskilling components laced throughout.

While working on the Sabbatical Project, DiDonna, along with University of Notre Dame research professor Matt Bloom, conducted a qualitative study of 51 people who took three-month-or-longer sabbaticals and reported their times away were life-changing. They noticed several overlapping ways people spent their time, including:

• Separation from work , both geographic and psychological, which often included travel.
• Participation in restorative activities , ranging from rest to exercise to play, where people intentionally rested and recovered from overwork.
• Enjoyment of adventuresome or novel experiences , like completing bucket-list goals.
• Reflection on identity and work , gaining perspective and asking questions about what they want out of life.

Ultimately, the itinerary of sabbaticals comes down to the length of the sabbatical and the season of life in which the sabbatical taker finds themselves.

During her six-week sabbatical, Buffer senior customer advocate Juliet Chen did whatever she wanted. Some days she practiced yoga and read a novel. On others, she took long walks or cycled along the coast. With the demands of her job out of sight, she was able to take each day as it came, unstructured and unhurried.

Barrett Brooks served as the chief operating officer of ConvertKit , an email marketing platform, for five years before he went on sabbatical. He designed his time to focus on the sorts of activities he enjoyed as a child, before the pressures of careerism crept in. So he built wooden models and LEGO sets and went on plenty of hikes, in addition to cooking a new meal recipe every week and spending quality time with his family.

Susie Chau, who now runs her own sabbatical program consultancy called Carpe Diem Traveler , negotiated a year-long unpaid sabbatical with her management consulting employer about a decade ago. The sabbatical allowed Chau and her husband to visit 22 countries and the space “to reflect on what’s important to me, how I want to live my life,” Chau said.

How to Prepare for a Sabbatical Leave

• Learn about your company’s sabbatical leave policy.
• Double-check that you can afford it.
• Ask yourself what you hope to get out of a sabbatical.
• Select a time frame for your sabbatical.
• Talk to your manager and HR about your plans.
• Finalize the plans in writing.
• Get your colleagues up to speed on responsibilities you own.

Benefits of Sabbatical Leave for Employees

Sabbatical leave offers employees a much-needed break from overwork, and it promotes creative, outside-the-box thinking that may lead to personal and professional breakthroughs.  

1. Sabbaticals Reduce Burnout and Health Risks

Stressful work situations are associated with poor individual well-being and increased health risks. Long working hours lead to more deaths from heart disease and stroke , according to a joint World Health Organization and International Labor Organization study.

And vacations aren’t always enough to stave it off. Researchers found that, while burnout is reduced while people go on vacation, these feelings creep back up to high levels shortly after they return to work. Vacations may improve mood in the short term — but have no effect on long-term life satisfaction.

Sabbaticals, on the other hand, have been found to reduce stress and burnout and lead to higher levels of positive well-being.

2. Sabbaticals Encourage Creative Thinking

Something about extended time away from normal workday routines helps people think outside the box.

In his book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less , workplace consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang observed that many important thinkers and innovators developed their seminal intellectual and creative ideas while away on trips and sabbaticals.

And while people often say they work best under pressure, that usually isn’t the case.

For a study whose results were published in a 2002 Harvard Business Review article, researchers collected thousands of diary entries from hundreds of employees across seven U.S. companies. They examined how people “experienced time pressure day to day as they worked on projects that required high levels of inventiveness, while also measuring their ability to think creatively under such pressure.” They concluded that, the more time pressure people feel, the less likely they will be to think creatively.

And with creativity often comes fresh ideas for the direction of one’s company. A 2009 report , for which 61 nonprofit leaders who took a sabbatical were surveyed, said sabbaticals gave many people a new vision for their work. Three-quarters of the leaders in the study found that the time away helped them “crystallize an existing vision for their organizations or frame a new one.” Nearly half of them later reported they had success in implementing their vision.

Benefits of Sabbatical Leave for Companies

Organizations want employees who are healthy, energetic, productive and creative. So all the reasons above apply to companies as well, not just individuals. After all, companies are made up of people.

In addition to keeping their workforce sharp and motivated, companies often implement sabbatical leave programs for two main purposes: recruiting new employees and retaining existing ones.  

1. Sabbaticals Can Help Employee Recruitment

As a general rule of thumb, companies offering sabbatical leave to employees after only three to five years of continuous service do so as a recruitment tactic. It’s meant to attract potential job candidates who may be entertaining multiple offers. And in a job market where workers seek maximum flexibility in the workplace , sabbatical leave is a flashy, differentiating perk.

“Recruitment of the best employees has become increasingly important in every field,” noted researchers at Middle Tennessee State University. “Sabbaticals are proving to be a strong incentive for many top performers looking for workplace flexibility.”

2. Sabbaticals Boost Employee Retention and Morale

Some companies use sabbaticals primarily as a way to retain employees, rather than to recruit them. This is most evident in programs offering sabbaticals only to employees who put in six to 10 (or more) years of service. The idea here is that sabbaticals function as a reward for many years of hard work.

They’re also a way to boost the morale of employees who take them and can strengthen the bond between employees and their employers, which often incentivizes workers to stick around longer.

Dale Furbish, a senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology , found that companies that offer employee-leave programs “gain the goodwill and revitalization of their workforce,” and “are viewed as employers of choice.”

Offering sabbatical leave can also “create a beautiful loyalty within the team,” said Courtney Seiter, vice president of people at Hologram, Inc . “Folks are really just blown away that you can provide a benefit like this.”

Related Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace

How Common Are Sabbaticals?

The number of companies with sabbatical programs remains relatively low. About 5 percent of organizations offer their employees paid sabbaticals (and 11 percent offer unpaid ones), according to a 2019 report published by the Society for Human Resource Management.

And yet, sabbaticals have earned a place in larger conversations happening among HR and people team circles. Companies big and small are trying to formulate the right benefits package that appeals to employees, many of whom have felt burnout and come to increasingly value employers that prioritize the mental health of their workers .

“Everything is up for grabs in the way that we work,” said Pang, who is also the founder of workplace consultancy Strategy + Rest and author of several other books on work-life balance . “The pandemic has shown that companies and individuals can change faster than we ever thought possible, and this opens the door to exploring and experimenting with all kinds of new ways of working.”

Carol Sladek, an Aon consultant specializing in time-off and work-life practices for Fortune 500 companies, said sabbaticals are “on the upswing in terms of interest.”

“Now, not all of them put one in place,” Sladek added, referring to the companies she consults. “But we did talk to a number of organizations in the last couple of years about this kind of program.”

Related The 4-Day Work Week Could Actually Happen

Why Aren’t Sabbaticals More Common?

If sabbaticals are so good, why do only so few companies offer them?  

1. Companies Fear the Costs and Risks

“It’s very costly to [offer sabbaticals],” Thomas Li-Ping Tang, professor of management at Middle Tennessee State University , said. “You have one person on the payroll but they’re not doing exactly what the company wants them to do.”

Aside from the concern of costs, when someone takes a sabbatical leave, workflows get interrupted too.

“If I’m out for six or eight weeks, something’s going to be missing,” Sladek said. “Either my work has to get shuffled to other people or I need to be replaced in some way.” This scenario is enough to spook some employers and send them searching for alternative perks their company can offer.

Some employers also refrain from implementing sabbatical programs for fear of a nightmare scenario: What if someone spends their sabbatical looking for a new job, and they quit when they return?

It’s a legitimate concern. But one that rarely happens in practice.

In the previously mentioned 2009 report , only 13 percent of organization leaders who returned from a sabbatical said the leave made them want to change jobs.

That’s not to say there’s no risk involved for organizations that offer sabbaticals to some of their employees. But in the aggregate, experts believe, the benefits outweigh the costs.

When you put sabbaticals in the context of how much it costs to recruit, hire and onboard new employees, “it becomes a no-brainer” for companies to offer sabbaticals to their employees, Farley said.

2. Employees Don’t Feel Safe Taking Them

Another, perhaps more overlooked reason sabbaticals aren’t mainstream is because, even when organizations permit employees to take them, the organizational culture is such that employees don’t feel psychologically safe to do so.

“The reluctance [to take sabbaticals is] based on the risk that employees have, the fear of being stigmatized, not just only by their supervisor, but also by their colleagues,” said Sarah Altmann, an academic teacher and researcher at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf whose research focuses on temporary leaves of absence and flexible working time practices. “There’s also the fear of having negative career consequences.”

And the concern is warranted. Researchers have found that people who take leave make less money , earn fewer promotions and receive lower performance reviews than colleagues who don’t take advantage of flexible work practices.

In U.S. work culture especially, there is a pervasive idea that time away from work — even to take care of family members — is damaging to one’s future job prospects. It’s a gap in the resume that threatens to derail or suppress one’s career. So, in the eyes of many, the idea of taking a sabbatical feels foolish.

Not only that, but workers are well aware that time off from work for them means heavier workloads for their colleagues. That work has to go somewhere, and it will likely be dispersed to other team members. Many workers in this situation can’t help but anticipate feelings of guilt . For some, it’s easier not to take too much time off than face the idea that coworkers feel extra stress from work because of their decision to take a sabbatical.

Related 5 Ways to Do Parental Leave Right

Companies That Offer Sabbaticals

While sabbatical leave isn’t a common benefit offered by companies, there are a handful of organizations, including legacy corporations and young startups alike, that are currently providing it to their employees. Here’s a non-exhaustive smattering of various companies’ sabbatical policies.

Adobe offers four weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees who have been at the company for at least five years (employees with more tenure are eligible for longer sabbaticals).

Buffer offers six weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees who have been at the company for at least five years (employees with more tenure are eligible for longer sabbaticals).

Citi offers up to 12 weeks of sabbatical leave, at 25 percent base pay, to employees who have been with the company for at least five years.

ConvertKit offers four weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees who work for the company for at least five years.

Deloitte offers three to six months of sabbatical leave, at 40 percent of their base salary, for eligible employees (as well as one-month-long unpaid sabbaticals).

Drift offers four weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees who have been with the company for at least three years.

Goldman Sachs offers six weeks of unpaid sabbatical leave to employees with at least 15 years of tenure at the company.

HubSpot offers four weeks of paid sabbatical leave for employees who have been with the company for at least five years.

Intel offers four weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees after four years of employment with the company, and eight weeks to employees who choose to take their sabbatical after seven years with the company.

McDonald’s offers eight weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees who work for the company for at least 10 years.

ProfitWell offers one month of paid sabbatical leave to employees who work there for three or more years.

Webflow offers five weeks of paid sabbatical leave to employees with five or more years at the company.

Go Deeper 9 Companies That Offer Sabbaticals

How to Create a Sabbatical Leave Policy

The precise duration and parameters around sabbatical policies vary across companies and industries. With no hard guidelines to follow, one frequently asked question among people leaders is: to what extent should the company suggest to people how they spend their sabbatical time?  

Some Sabbatical Leave Policies Are Hands-Off

More often than not, the sabbatical leave policy is hands-off when it comes to how the employee wants to spend their time away from work.

Seiter, for instance, thinks employers shouldn’t dictate how workers spend their sabbatical time.

In 2019, Seiter helped establish Buffer’s sabbatical leave policy. The team discussed what level of involvement the company should have in suggesting how employees spend their sabbatical time. Ideas like mandating a volunteer component, or tying the sabbatical back to company values were considered, but ultimately, the sabbatical policy was implemented with no strings attached. Seiter believes they made the right call.

“I don’t think it’s the company’s business to tell someone what to do with the time off that they have been given,” Seiter said. “If you’re deep in the throes of burnout, maybe all you can do is watch Netflix all day for a couple of weeks. Maybe that is your coping strategy and the best you can do right then.”

Some Sabbatical Leave Policies Are Structured

On the other hand, Farley, the sabbatical consultant, says it’s a mistake when companies neglect to help workers with how they might structure their sabbaticals. Several months without a plan can be daunting for many people, and most could use some sort of guidance on how to approach their time away.

That’s why Farley recommends organizations use a sabbatical matrix (pictured below) when working with employees who take a sabbatical. Depending on the person’s level of career satisfaction and overall energy levels as they head into sabbatical, they may want to focus their time on certain activities.

For instance, if they love their job but are feeling burned out, they may want to concentrate on getting good rest and practicing restorative activities, such as exercising, working with their hands and reading by the beach. For someone who loves their career and is full of energy, the sabbatical might be a good time to climb Mount Everest.

Companies that present employees with this framework may spare them from the pressure-filled experience of staring down a blank canvas when their sabbatical begins.

Related Pay Transparency: What It Is and How to Do It Right

How to Create a Sabbatical-Friendly Culture

Sabbaticals offer many benefits to both organizations and employees alike, but those benefits are only accessible when employees actually take them. So how can workplaces make sure that happens?

Organizations can combat the pervasive, fear-based thinking around taking extended time away from work by not only implementing a formal sabbatical policy and program, but also by establishing and maintaining a culture that actively and consistently celebrates when people take sabbaticals.

It’s easier said than done. But Farley suggests having the company’s CEO take a sabbatical first. That often catches people’s attention and helps to take some of the stigma out of the practice.

Next, Altmann said, organizations should encourage managers to take the initiative and suggest the idea of taking a sabbatical to their direct reports. Whether a coworker is burning out or pining to realize a personal dream, when the manager floats to them the idea of taking a sabbatical, it often feels like they’re receiving permission that wasn’t totally there before. And it makes them feel safer about taking one.

Overall, the internal communication around sabbaticals is important. Leaders have to market the perk within the company, and acknowledge that employees not only need to be rewarded for their hard work, but require ongoing breaks.

“It’s generally rolled out as a big bonus,” Sladek said. “It’s intended to budge that culture a little bit in the direction of recognizing that people do need time off.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for sabbatical leave.

Employees may qualify for sabbatical leave after working a specific amount of time at a company that offers the benefit, usually at five or more years.

However, an employee's qualification for sabbatical leave will depend on each company's own sabbatical leave policies.

Do you get paid on sabbatical leave?

Whether or not you get paid on sabbatical leave will depend on the company offering the benefit. Some companies offer fully-paid or partially-paid sabbatical leave, while other companies only offer unpaid sabbatical leave.

Are there downsides to sabbatical leave?

There can be downsides to sabbatical leave for both employees and companies.

For employees, a sabbatical leave may negatively affect salary, promotion eligibility or performance review results.

For companies, providing sabbatical leave can be a costly investment and disrupt workflows for other employees.

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Modern Ways to Take Your Sabbatical (16 Unique Ideas)

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

Taking a personal sabbatical? Here are some new modern career break ideas for taking time off from work, whether for one month or one year.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• Go on a retreat
• Take on an internship
• Finish (or start) a side project
• Write a book or start a blog
• Build a physical item
• Spend time with family
• Travel the world
• Learn a new language
• Move to a city or place you’ve always dreamed of
• Build a business and freelance
• Learn a new skill or pursue education
• Start a podcast
• Read a book
• Teach or become a mentor
• Spend time on yourself

Have you dreamed of taking a sabbatical or career break and are you finally ready to do it?

A work sabbatical is an excellent way to recharge yourself. It’s a cool and possibly productive way to ignite a spark that can motivate yourself to be better at your job, or make a career pivot.

Some companies offer a sabbatical program, while others may not. It’s a pretty modern benefit for a company to offer a sabbatical (sometimes a paid sabbatical) as a gift to employees for 5 or so years of dedication or employment with the firm or organization. Lucky you!

If you work for yourself or if you work as a freelancer, taking a sabbatical is as easy as intentionally not booking any contracts for the time that you want to be away. You may not have thought this is a sabbatical, but I think that it is!

In this article, you’ll get my perspective and Dan’s perspective. We’re the people behind this website if you haven’t met us before!

Sometimes the absence of direction can lead you into the right path.

If you really want to take an adult gap year and cleanse your mind with the goal of finding yourself a bit more, take a year off from working, and really stop working!

I was going to say you should “work on hobbies” here, but in avoiding the word “work,” aim to enjoy yourself . Part of taking a gap year or sabbatical at age 35, or 55, means relaxing, sleeping, caring for yourself and spending time how you see fit. You will have the gift of time .

Go on a retreat

Depending on the length of your sabbatical, consider a program like Remote Year . Remote Year is a community-based remote work and travel program. Dan and I have both been on a program, and we’ve learned a lot, met tons of friends and saved time, money and energy by not having to book our own travel accommodations.

You can go on a 1-week retreat, take a month-long trip or go on a 4 or 12 month journey.

For your sabbatical, use the opportunity to network with others, work on a new skill or learn something new. Remote Year has a super strong community of like-minded people, and it’s the perfect platform to provide you with a seamless experience.

If you choose to work remotely on something while traveling, check out our remote work travel packing list .

Volunteering is a way to give back to the community without having to work in the traditional sense. You can volunteer as close to home as with neighbors in your community, or with a program that may take you across the world, like volunteering at an orphanage in Southeast Asia, or with animals in South America.

There are heaps of ways to volunteer during a sabbatical or adult gap year, and it depends on your passions. For example, when I lived abroad in China, I found the most joy in volunteering with senior citizens.

Back home in NYC, I have volunteered with the nonprofit Hostelling International as a tour guide for travelers. One time, Dan and I volunteered with a wonderful organization called Repair the World , and stocked food at a local food pantry for undeserved local people.

Maybe none of these things interests you at all, and you’d prefer to volunteer on a farm, or with artists, or with an environmental organization. Maybe you’d like to be a volunteer fireman or firewoman. Or, maybe you feel most fulfilled when you’re volunteering for a political cause, or a religious cause.

Whichever way volunteering takes you, start your Google search today for how to volunteer during your adult gap year or sabbatical time. Volunteering as an adult is one of the most fulfilling ways to give back to a community, and to the world, after many years spent working and potentially not having time for much else.

Take on an internship

If you’ve even wanted to try a new profession or change your career, this is your chance.

When you hear the word “intern,” you may think of a college student trying to get a foot in the door with a company, or the part-time younger employee who’s taking coffee orders for the execs. Throw this idea of an intern out the window and think farther.

You could be an intern at a vineyard, if you’ve always dreamed of learning how to make wine. You could intern at a nonprofit organization that needs a low-stress employee to take care of some things in which you have a professional background.

Once you redefine what an intern is, you may realize that you could be doing work in a completely new environment and learn some new tricks of a new trade, without dedicating yourself to a full-time high-stress role with lots of demands.

Finish (or start) a side project

I think this is one of the best cases in point for how to spend a sabbatical year as an adult.

Take me, for example. For years, I dreamed of being a writer and starting a travel website. I just didn’t know where to start. Dan and I started this website a bit before our sabbatical year, but this website was pretty bare bones until we started dedicating time, effort and learnings for how to grow a travel blog.

This website was originally our side project, and it still is! Thanks to some wonderful offers from around the world like our collaboration with the Lisboans and Remote Year , we were given inspiration for how to continue this project as a side hustle and turn it into a growing passion project. You have to start somewhere.

Starting and even finishing a side project, such as art, an Etsy store, writing a book, becoming a baker, or anything else under the sun, can be productive and fulfilling ways to spend a career break.

Write a book or start a blog

If you have accumulated a lot of knowledge about a topic, but could never find the time to get it out of your head, well, the time to put all your thoughts into words is during a sabbatical.

A blog is one of the best ways to put together your thoughts in an organized way. We never could’ve dreamed that our blog would grow into the big project you see here, but with dedication, time, research and long nights spent writing, here we are! This was all starting during our gap year.

If you want to think more creatively, a book can be a creative story or go into a lot of detail about a specific topic or accomplishment. We have a friend who recently took time off to write his book and he finished it, publishing it and proceeding to sell it online.

We have other friends who’ve started blogs that blossomed during inspirational gap years, and our best advice is still that today is the best day to start (even if you can pour more time into it while you are on your career break).

Build a physical item

Working with your hands is a great escape if you typically make a living by looking at a screen.

Working in front of a screen for long hours is completely draining, and makes you sedentary.

Consider what you enjoy most about working with your hands. Is it building ceramics, like Emma, who started a pottery brand , or is it taking apart motorcycles and rebuilding them in your garage, like my friend Anthony?

Oh, maybe you like putting computer parts together to build Frankenstein computers, or, are you secretly a painter who needs to be sitting in the park with a set of watercolors?

There are so many ways to work with your hands and start creating, and if you choose to take a gap year, you may just have the proper amount of time.

Spend time with family

One regret people have about their professional lives is that they wish they could spend more time with family.

If you think about how much time we spend working , it’s not only the work. It’s the getting ready for work, the commuting to and from work, the days we try to take off from work and then can’t, and more.

If you take a few months, or even a year, to visit all your family around the country and the world, wouldn’t that be a great way to spend a sabbatical? Imagine feeling so fulfilled that you had the time (life’s richest resource) to visit all your family near and far, leaving no one out. That’s a modern sabbatical idea, for one thing.

Travel the world

We’re biased because this is our favorite option, as two people who met over a love of travel . There is so much culture and knowledge in the world. It’s waiting for you to find it.

Some of the best experiences that we have are from traveling. We’ve both taken travel sabbaticals in our own ways, too. My first gap year (ahem, two years) was teaching abroad in Shanghai, China, where I ended my contract and traveled pretty indefinitely around Asia until I came home for a friend’s wedding in the US that fall.

I didn’t start working full-time again until after New Year’s the following year as I worked on traveling more and executed a job search.

Dan, on the other hand, took a working sabbatical during which he traveled with Remote Year and pivoted from his full-time gig to starting a completely remote freelance business that carried him professionally for the next two to three years. During Remote Year, he traveled to 12 cities around the world, with lots of side trips in between, and had the trip of a lifetime, while also being highly productive!

If you fast-forward, and you can read more about this in our guide to Remote Year , we did Remote Year together, both while freelancing, as part of our 10-month sabbatical away from home.

We continued to travel and freelance and work on our passion projects in East Asia, from Taiwan to Vietnam until we moved back home to Brooklyn the next spring.

The truth about all these sabbaticals is that they involved work (and lots of it), but at the same time, the experiences we created were vastly different from our home lives due to how we shook things up with travel in the mix. We recommend this type of modern sabbatical.

Learn a new language

Dan actually thought of this idea for a sabbatical during which you could study or immerse yourself in a new language as a new life skill to show off. Ironically, I’m the one who loves learning languages and even wrote this guide for how to learn a language for travel .

Learning a language is not easy, nor does it happen automatically or just with practicing on an app every day. You really need to immerse yourself in a culture to fine-tune your fluency, pick up slang, speak with real locals and learn all about a culture.

For this reason, taking a sabbatical for language-learning ambitions could be tons of fun. There are lots of language schools in South and Central America that come highly recommended, from Guatemala to Colombia, and excellent teachers all over the continent if you wish to learn Spanish.

Are you interested in learning Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Thai or Hindi? The first step is to choose the language and then check out the logistics of what it would take to get to a country that would let you take a deep dive in learning such skills. It would be unforgettable as your career break year!

Move to a city or place you’ve always dreamed of

Do you live in the city and ache for the small town life? Or do you live in a tiny village and yearn to walk the streets of a metropolis like NYC ?

A modern sabbatical is the best time to do this type of thing, if you’re ready to jump forward into moving (and if you are, check out our moving tips ), starting a new (perhaps temporary) life, and not let life pass you by just dreaming.

Moving to a new place is something that many professionals on a career break consider if their job is tied to a particular metro area or city. If you’ve got time away from the office or from your place of work, why not rent a cabin in that ski town you loved as a kid? Or hop around beach towns in Southeast Asia if you’re into surfing?

You could also stay close to home and choose to reside in an outpost near your favorite hikes, where you can spend time in nature every day. Dare we say the sky’s the limit.

Build a business and freelance

Part of building a business is learning how everything works together. One thing leads to another and when you work full-time, it can be hard to find the time to learn everything.

When you take a sabbatical, you can spend the time to try and experiment with different ways to create and scale a business.

Learn a new skill or pursue education

If professionally, you are being held back by not knowing a certain program or methodology of doing something, a sabbatical can help you find the time to learn it.

Tangentially, in our guide to what to do in between freelance projects , the same can be said for what to do during a sabbatical.

You can take classes on Skillshare , learn about Pinterest marketing on a platform like Tailwind , or try your hand at learning night photography .

In terms of pursuing education, you could apply to do a post-bachelor degree, or a master’s degree. There are also lots of certifications out there that have your name on them. Some certifications, if done at a leisurely pace, may not even feel like “work,” like the Morning Brew Business Essentials Accelerator . While I took this eight-week course as a way to up my skills and hopefully advance my career, it could easily be done during a sabbatical.

Get a $100 credit to a Morning Brew education class, like the Business Essentials Accelerator or their new offerings like the leadership accelerator. Put “Halfhalftravel” as the person you are “Referred by,” on your application , and get an automatic $100 discount!

Getting a certificate in project management, or Excel, could be a great step in your career for when you come back to it.

Start a podcast

I happen to really like podcasts , and my Spotify told me that I listened to something crazy like 39,000 minutes of podcasts this year. Statistics about my podcast addiction aside, starting a podcast is something that takes a bit of research and prep, and then can really pay off or be fun!

Are you interested in starting a podcast during your gap year? Check out this guide to how to create a website for your podcast before you do anything further, because this is a step people often miss.

If you start a podcast during your sabbatical, please let us know, and we’ll give it a listen!

Read a book

I don’t remember the last book I fully read for leisure, and that’s really bad. I also just saw on Instagram that my cousin has read almost 100 books this year, and I’m feeling pretty down on myself. If I had all the time in the world, like on a sabbatical, I’d probably dig into a lo-o-o-o-ong list of books.

Are you a bookworm, or do you want to become a better reader? Setting a goal of finishing a list of books during a gap year can be a cool place to start. If you need a recommendation, check out our friend who is a reader and writer, Rebecca Fishbein .

Teach or become a mentor

It can be very rewarding to take the time and pass on your skills onto someone early on in their career.

In fact, LinkedIn has a way to mark yourself available as a mentor for others, and I opted into this about a year ago. I immediately started getting a few messages from recent college grads who wanted to know about marketing, communications and all my other skill sets mentioned on LinkedIn. This is the simplest way to start sharing your skills with younger professionals.

Or, there are formal organizations, based on your profession or line of work, to which you could apply to become a professional mentor in a specialized field. This could be more toward a part-time or contract role, especially if paid. It will vary by field. Many people enjoy giving mentorship, especially if they had spectacular mentors early on in their careers.

Spend time on yourself

Our thinking is often controlled by work-related thoughts and actions, which can lead to burnout if we don’t take time for other activities. Engaging in fulfilling activities can help refresh our minds and even improve our professional spark!

However, sometimes you need time for yourself to help you out in your personal life. Even four to six weeks is enough time to make a change and help create new and strong habits.

If you are trying to lose weight or improve your diet, you can spend your sabbatical learning how to cook new recipes and learn how to make healthier choices.

If you are trying to quit bad habits, you can take the time to do something about it to make sure you come out on the other end as a better person.

Of course, we’ll recommend travel as a true way to spend time on yourself and with yourself, especially if you choose to travel solo somewhere . If you’ve never traveled alone before, a sabbatical or gap year can be an excellent time to try out this experience that we feel everyone should have at least once in their lives.

Everything else!

How to take a year off work.

A sabbatical is the best way to take a year off of work! Though, a sabbatical is more of a concept and is easier said than done.

Many people have the fear that it will be hard to get a job after taking time off from work, or that they may a bit behind the times professionally. However, using a sabbatical for any of the productive ways above can make you come out of a sabbatical as an even better professional, and a more confident human being.

If there’s one last thought to leave you with, it’s how to explain gaps on your resume after taking time off from work. Check this one out and let us know how it works for you. Enjoy your sabbatical!

What should I do to plan for my sabbatical?

I won’t go into too much detail, however I wanted to put a few quick things on your radar before planning how to be creative with your sabbatical.

• Watch your finances. Have some money saved up to cover any loss in salary if you take a pay cut or aren’t getting paid at all.
• Create milestones, if that’s what you’re after. This time is valuable, and you should use it to feel productive and not procrastinate.
• Find a community. Whether you are traveling or staying local, find a community to help support yourself professionally.
• Take notes and try and learn. A sabbatical is usually a time to be reflective. Use the time wisely, so you can look back and understand your journey through your unique time away from work.
• Pick a duration. A sabbatical can be any length of time. Dan’s old company gave a 6-week sabbatical for every 5 years at the company. Other companies may offer a 6-month sabbatical. The time you take will determine what you can achieve.

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Global Operations

International Engagement

Sabbatical leaves abroad.

Planning a sabbatical leave abroad can be an unexpectedly complex process involving legal contracts, extensive document gathering, obtaining travel documents for you and your family, which may require an in-person visit to a diplomatic consulate, and more. We strongly recommend starting to plan at least six months in advance. 

This resource has been developed to address some of the unique challenges when planning sabbatical leave abroad. For Cornell's full policy and definitions, please see  Leaves for Professors and Academic Staff, Policy 6.2.1.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to planning a sabbatical abroad. Every foreign country has its unique requirements. Below is an outline of things to do and/or consider. 

Required Sabbatical Agreement 

A sabbatical agreement must be executed between the faculty member and the host organization. Full-time members of the faculty, tenured or non-tenured, have obligations which must be taken into consideration in any external contract related in any way to your work for the university, or your position as a faculty member, including your research, your knowledge gained as a result of your work for the university, or work done using university resources. Faculty of units on the Ithaca campuses do not need to file their sabbatical agreements with Cornell. However, one must disclose all external relationships and confirm that any contract one has with the external entity includes the agreement and/or addendum. Learn more and download the agreement here . 

Hosting Agreement

Connect with your host university or institute contact several months before traveling to ensure you understand their requirements. 

• Host universities or institutes typically require a signed agreement between the visiting scholar and the host. A fully executed hosting agreement is usually required for the host institution to issue your invitation letter, which will be required to apply for your visa. We recommend initiating this process as soon as your visit has been approved by the host institution.
• Should the host university or institute provide a three-party agreement where a Cornell representative is asked to sign the agreement as well, a two-party agreement should be requested instead. While Cornell faculty are required to comply with Cornell policies related to faculty conflicts of interest and commitment, patent and intellectual property, and scientific or research misconduct during sabbatical leaves, sabbaticals are considered independent activities between the host institution and researcher. 
• At times faculty have reported experiencing delays in response times from host administrative support, which is one of the reasons we recommend starting early.  
• We have heard about agreements that resemble labor contracts—even when no compensation is being offered. To avoid local employment tax obligations, your agreement may require outside legal advice, with a direct cost to you, your department, or your college. 
• Employment contract from Cornell (outlining position, employer, salary, and other terms as needed)
• Letter from your health insurance company confirming that you are covered while abroad
• Letter confirming liability and travel insurance
• IP agreement

Visa/Resident Permits

If you or your family members are not legal residents of the host country, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa or resident permit to legally reside in the host country for the duration of your sabbatical. 

• A signed contract or invitation letter (as outlined above) will generally be required to apply for the visa or residence permit. 
• Most visas require extensive paperwork, fees, photos—and a waiting time of weeks (if not months) to be issued. 
• Your host university or institute may be able to provide assistance with your visa process. If not, consider reaching out to Cornell's  visa processing provider  for assistance. Note that some countries (e.g., France) do not allow agents to apply for visas on your behalf, and will require you to work directly with the local consulate or embassy. Also, certain countries require visa applicants to visit the respective consulate or embassy in person (e.g., Spain). 
• Faculty traveling with families will often need to personally handle their family members' visa applications as host institutions will not provide assistance. 
• If your visa application requires a copy of a MOA between Cornell and host institution, please reach out to your unit's contract administrator for guidance.

Proof of Insurance

• If you need to show proof of medical insurance for routine and pre-existing conditions , contact your personal health insurance provider and ask them to issue you a proof of coverage letter. Some personal policies also include coverage for evacuation and repatriation. For example, Cornell's Aetna coverage for endowed employees is outlined here.
• Some countries (e.g., Spain), require a medical insurance plan with no co-pay or deductible. It's important to review your current policy to see if it meets the host country requirements. If your policy is not compatible, be sure to research which policies are accepted by the host country. In Spain, faculty have purchased a personal policy with Sanitas , which has reportedly been accepted by the Spanish authorities. 
• If you need to show  proof of urgent and emergent  medical insurance and/or evacuation & repatriation coverage , and your personal policy does not provide coverage, please reach out to Risk Management and Insurance . You will need to provide proof of registration in the Cornell International Travel Registry , your full name as it appears on your passport, destination, and dates of travel. Please note that coverage for extended travel periods may be limited under this policy. Check with RMI for details.
• If covered under Cornell's Aetna plan,  please review this information  and contact Aetna to see if additional coverage is available under your plan.
• If covered under the Empire Plan,  connect with the provider  for proof of insurance letter. 
• In the event your family's health insurance plan does not provide adequate insurance,  HTH Travel Insurance  is licensed to sell insurance in New York State. They offer plans for up to 180 days. For trips exceeding 180 days, a long-term "ex-pat" plan may be required. 

FBI Background Checks

Some countries require a FBI background check. The background check may also need to be apostilled and translated into the local language by an official translation service. If your host country requires the apostille and translation, we recommend budgeting 14-16 weeks for the whole process. There are private apostille expeditor services available for a premium fee.

The FBI background check can take 3-5 days to process electronically, or 2-4 weeks by mail. The FBI background check must be current (e.g., country dependent, issued within 4 or 6 months) when you apply for your visa. The timing of this process will be important to make sure you apply for the FBI background check in plenty of time, but not too early that it will expire before you are ready to apply for your visa. You can find out more about the process on the  FBI website . The Cornell University Police offers paper fingerprinting services  at their office in Barton Hall.

Traveling to France?

Some of our faculty have found that France, in particular, requires documentation that can take extra effort to put in place. Learn more about  visiting France as a researcher.

Cornell Benefits

Understand your  Cornell benefits coverage while on sabbatical .

Financial Considerations

Cornell's Travel Expense Policy 3.2  provides details for sabbatical and other extended travel, such as what may be considered business versus personal expenses as well as tax implications. 

If you receive income from a foreign source while abroad, speak with your personal accountant to determine how to report income. If you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien, your income is subject to U.S. income tax, including any foreign income, or any income that is earned outside of the U.S. It does not matter if you reside inside or outside of the U.S. when you earn this income. In addition, even if you do not receive a Form W-2, a Wage and Tax Statement, or a Form 1099 from the foreign payer, you are still required to report this income.

Family Considerations

If you are taking your family abroad for a long-term sabbatical, there are other details to work out:

• Where will your children go to school? If they do not speak the local language, your contact at the host institution may be able to recommend local international schools.
• If your partner is accompanying you on your sabbatical and is employed in the U.S. and would like to work abroad, please ensure they check with their employer to see if there are any restrictions or special requirements to consider.

Register Your Travel

Remember to register your sabbatical in Cornell's International Travel Registry . When you register your international  Cornell travel  in the Travel Registry and are traveling outside of your home country, you are covered by international travel insurance for accident/sickness and emergency evacuation. Cornell provides a host of  other benefits,  so be sure to check them out.

Additional Support

Often times the contact at your host institution is a good resource with visa and on-the-ground logistics, but there are so many things to sort out that the process can be overwhelming. 

• Your college or school may have its own sabbatical web page (e.g.,  CALS ).
• Your local HR contact is one of your best points of contact at Cornell.
• If you have colleagues who have taken sabbaticals abroad, reach out to them for advice, especially if they have spent time in the country where you plan to travel. 
• If you still need help, Global Operations  may be able to assist. We are not a substitute for your college's support system, but we will try to find answers to questions you have not been able to have answered by your host institution contact or your college.

Please note: These general guidelines have been prepared as a courtesy for faculty who are contemplating a sabbatical outside of the U.S., and may not include all requirements. Please also refer to original source information (e.g., college or university policy  ( 6.2.1) , consulate or embassy, host institution, host country laws).

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Back to blog, crafting a compelling sabbatical request: a sample guide for employees.

Feb 6, 2022

Picture this. You've decided that you're going on a sabbatical from work . You've worked out all the details of your activities. But one thing remains: sending that email to your manager to convey your absence. But where to start?

Writing an email requesting a sabbatical leave can be confusing. For starters, there are several things you should do before you can apply for a sabbatical from work. From understanding your organisation's policies, speaking to your HR, recruiting new teammates (if needed) or delegating your duties to your team...you get the gist, right? Since a career sabbatical is not standard practice yet, you may forget one or two things in between.

Tips to follow when requesting a sabbatical from work

#1. understand organisation policy.

Know your organisation's stance on sabbatical leave. Understand the eligibility criteria, the policy on paid sabbaticals and the notice period you're supposed to follow before taking time off. This can help navigate a strategy for applying for a sabbatical. Don't shy away from asking for one if your organisation doesn't have specific policies on taking a sabbatical leave — you might just get one!

#2. Know why you want a career sabbatical

Speak to your manager to figure out what qualifies as a valid reason for a career sabbatical , then see if that aligns with your wishes. For instance, many organisations prefer that a sabbatical break is spent improving skills that'll upgrade your work. Yet others like it when these breaks are used to hone soft skills outside of work through volunteering or travelling. And with changing times, sabbatical for volunteering or taking a mental health break is also gaining popularity.

#3. Plan your post-sabbatical office return

When you speak to your manager about your sabbatical from work, don't forget to talk to them about your return to work. Ask your manager about the role you will be returning to and what your new responsibilities could be like. Make sure you hash out the details on paper so everyone's on the same page (pun unintended).

If you're not keen on returning to your place of work, you might want to consider a career break over a sabbatical!

Sabbatical email request samples

To get the ball rolling, here are some email request samples you can use:

Sabbatical request sample for travel

Hi < manager's name> , I'm writing this email to request a sabbatical leave for < enter duration> months. As you may know, I have been a part of this organisation for the past < number of> years, and I have progressed a lot in my career as a result of the role I play at < company name> . However, I believe the time has come to take a break, explore what's outside the organisation and immerse myself in new cultures.

During this extended break, I wish to see more of the world and understand how to pay better attention to myself. By seeking novel experiences, I plan to develop new perspectives that will allow me to be my best version at work.

I'm happy to arrange a meeting to discuss the details and ensure a smooth flow of work during my absence. Do let me know what time and date work for you.

Thank you for considering my request!

Best, < Name and Signature>

Sabbatical request sample for volunteering

Hi < manager's name> ,

I have always believed in the power of giving back to the community. I recently found an opportunity to volunteer at < enter the name of the volunteering program> in < enter location> . The volunteering program lasts for < enter number of> months. I'd like to request a sabbatical leave for this period as it will help me give my 100% to the program.

The program's mission is very close to my heart, and taking a sabbatical leave would help me accomplish this dream of mine efficiently.

I wish to reiterate my commitment to the organisation, and I'll be happy to return to work once the volunteering program is over. Please let me know your convenience so that we can discuss the details of my sabbatical from work! Thanking you in anticipation.

< Name and Signature>

Sabbatical request sample for a mental health break

Hi < manager's name>,

I've been enjoying my work at <organisation> over the past <duration of employment>. However, in the last month I've been feeling unfocused and tired. I fear there may be deeper issues at hand, and want to catch it in time so I don't suffer, and neither do my colleagues in trying to cover up for me.

Keeping in mind that my mental wellbeing is as important as my physical wellness, I'm requesting a sabbatical leave for [enter duration] months.

The sabbatical break will be an excellent opportunity to get my energy back. Furthermore, the break will be helpful to assess the root cause of my emotions and seek any professional help, if necessary.

I wish to be fully engaged in doing my tasks once I'm back, and I'll be more than happy to help you plan on delegating my work to avoid any delays in commitments. Feel free to let me know your availability, and I shall be there to discuss the requirements of my sabbatical from work.

Many thanks for considering my request.

Sabbatical request sample to take a course

I'd like to request a sabbatical leave to complete my education. I currently catch myself standing at crossroads and see a need to upskill.

I have decided to take < name of the course> at < enter institution> for a duration of <e nter number of> months. The course will benefit the organisation and me as it would help me develop skills such as < mention accrued benefits>, which will help me take our organisational goals to the next level.

I wish to reiterate my commitment to < enter organisation name>, and I plan on returning to work once my course is over. I wish to discuss the details of my sabbatical leave at your convenience. Furthermore, I'm enclosing details of my course and my acceptance letter for your reference. Thanking you in anticipation.

Best, <N ame and Signature>

Sabbatical request sample to recover from burnout

Hey [manager's name] ,

After < number of> years of service at our organisation, I've realised it's time to hit the brakes for a bit. I've been experiencing symptoms of burnout including fatigue, dread, and a loss of motivation. I cannot do my best work when I don't feel like myself.

For this reason, I'd like to apply for a sabbatical starting from < enter date> for < enter number of> months.

I'm primarily going to focus on recovering from burnout during this period and inspect how I have led myself to this burnout. I'm optimistic that I will come back rejuvenated and ready to take on my tasks with better enthusiasm with this break.

I'm happy to discuss the details of this sabbatical break whenever you're available.

Best, < Enter name and signature>

Sabbatical request sample to gain clarity about one's career

Hey < manager's name> ,

After working here for <enter number> of years, I'm feeling stuck in my career. The past few months have been a blur, and it's time for me to assess the direction in which my career is headed.

I'd like to request a sabbatical leave from work for < enter number> of **months to gain clarity about my career. My years at <enter organisation name> have been some of the best years of my life. However, it's time for me to reconsider the path I'm headed in and take appropriate actions to make the best out of my opportunities. I'm confident that I'll be in the right headspace to meet organisational goals once I'm back.

Or... get a simpler solution to apply for sabbatical leave!

Emails have always been the preferred mode of communication. But as your organisation expands, your email becomes one of the thousand emails in your manager's inbox. This leads to delay in communication and a lot of missed signals. You'd think there's an easier way to apply for a sabbatical leave, and you're right!

With Pause, your sabbatical leave request can be approved at the click of a button. With our Slack integration , everyone in your team is notified of your absence through daily summaries and with an "Away 🌴" status next to your name.

Pause allows you to disconnect from your work by automatically declining meetings that are scheduled with you and allows you to custom create your OOO message. The whole aim of having an app like Pause in your toolkit is it allows you to be open about your availability at a single glance.

This is a W for you and your team members — so go ahead and tell your manager about it!

Continue reading

5 reasons why you should take a sabbatical.

Sabbatical or career break: which is right for you

How regular time off can prevent burnout

Clinical psychology

• Anxiety disorders
• Feeding and eating disorders
• Mood disorders
• Neuro-developmental disorders
• Personality disorders
• Affirmations
• Cover Letters
• Relationships
• Resignation & Leave letters

Psychotherapy

Personality.

Table of Contents

Sabbatical leave request letter template (samples)

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

In this guide we have some examples of sabbatical leave request letter template, what a sabbatical is, how you could go about asking one and additional considerations.

Sabbatical Leave Application

A sabbatical leave application might go something like this:

“I would like to hereby formally request the opportunity to take a (6/12) month sabbatical leave, commencing 6 months from today, on (day/month/year). I have been (your position) at (name) university for (X) years and would like to conclude my research on (full details of your project/work)”

Sabbatical leave request letter template

Writing a sabbatical leave request letter can be quite scary because you never know for sure if your employer will accept or reject your request.

In addition, there are many reasons (valid or not) why you would think about asking for a sabbatical leave and some of them include:

Whatever the reason it may be, there has been said that taking a sabbatical can  have countless benefits.

However, to fully take advantage of it, it’s important doing your research and understanding why they exist and their purpose.

After doing your research, consider figuring out why you would like to take a sabbatical, is it to gain some international experience to boos your career?,

Is it to develop new skills or simply help you become more creative?

Moreover, when mentioning your employer you would like to take a sabbatical, make sure to do your research on what could be the potential benefits to your employer.

Ask for a meeting with your manager and present the benefits for you, for your team and the company in the long-term.

Also, try talking to other people that have taken a sabbatical and ask them for some tips on how to plan and request for one (having a higher success rate). 

Note: this type of leave is different from vacation or annual leave, paternity leave, sick leave, maternity leave agreement, emergency travel, extended leave absence, among other types of leave of absence requests.

Meaning, we recommend checking them and know the difference to see which one fits better to what you are looking for.

How to ask for a sabbatical?

First off, it is important you do your research and document yourself about your employer’s company police regarding sabbaticals.

If they approve it then you will legally remain an employee even though you may be under an unpaid leave, unless your employer agrees to give a partial or full remuneration according to your circumstances and what they consider will be best. 

In addition, consider that you may need to be eligible to apply for a sabbatical according to your tenure (at least 2-3 years working continuously) or how indispensable you may be for the company.

Get in touch with your HR department and ask them what the policy is about, how to ask for it and if there is a specific format you should know about.

Also, make sure you make yourself valuable (contributing to being indispensable) by building relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and/or clients.

Try to go the extra mile in everything you do or with whomever you have to interact, they will make sure to let your boss know how valuable you are and try to participate in any activities proposed by the company (e.g. volunteering, charity events, etc).

Sample 1: (Studies)

“Dear/respected (name),

I would like to formally request the opportunity to take a (6-12) month sabbatical leave, commencing x months from —- until —-.

I have been (your job position) at (name of your employer) for —– years and would like to continue puruing my Msc degree in —– which I believe will benefit the company by (name some benefits).

I to accomplish this life goal that I have been expecting and finally have the opportunity. I wil be comencing on —– until ——, returning to my job duties on ——-. However, you can reach me at my cellphone/email if there are any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, 

“Dear [Recipient Name],

My name is [John Smith] and I have been working in the finance department for the last nine years. I have recently found myself stuck in a loop, doing the same things over and over again. My learning process stopped and I haven’t improved for a while now.

Feeling the need for self-development, I would like to request for an extended leave, a sabbatical, in order to continue my studies and earn an MBA degree. I am committed to [company name] and I am happy to work here. I am planning to resume my work at [company name] once I earn my degree, by then, I will be more knowledgeable, motivated, experienced, and more committed.

I do believe that this move is beneficial for both me and the organization. I am planning to enroll in late September. The whole program takes no longer than nine months, so I should be back by May. I have already spoken to the head of the department, and he assured me that coverage is available and that workflow will not be affected much.

I kindly ask you consider my request, and I am hopeful that will approve it. Attached with this letter are the program acceptance letter and other related documents for your reference.

Thank you very much.

Best Regards”

Your Address

Your City, postcode

Your Phone Number

Organization

City, postcode

Dear Mr./Ms. [Lastname]:

I would like to formally request a (6-12) month sabbatical leave request due to a family emergency. If possible, I would like the leave from work to begin on ——, with a return date of ——.

If approved, I will be staying with family in [Anycity] during this time period, and I would be glad to assist with any questions via email or phone whenever possible.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Typed Name”

“Dear Mr/Mrs. —–,

Please accept this letter as a formal notification of my application for a sabbatical leave request, from —–, expecting to return on ——. As per my employment contract, I am giving a three months’ notice and I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition and completion of all the outstanding projects. 

Besides having time to spend with my family, I am looking forward to this opportunity to pursue my personal projects. I hope to return with renewed energy and inspiration to continue carrying my job duties.

Thank you for considering my request. Please do not hesitate contacting me if you require any additional information. 

Yours sincerely,

Your signature

Sample 5: Sabbatical leave request letter template

My name is [insert name] and I have been working in the ICT department for the past decade. I have recently found myself stuck in a loop, doing the same things over and over again. My learning process stopped and I haven’t improved for a while now.

Feeling the need for self-development, I would like to request for an extended leave, sabbatical, in order to continue my studies and earn another degree. 

I am committed to [company name] and I am happy to work here. I am planning to resume my work at [company name] once I earn my degree, by then, I will be more knowledgeable, motivated, experienced, and more committed.

I do believe that this move is beneficial for both me and the organization. I plan to enroll in late September. The program will take no longer than nine months, so I should be back by May. I have briefed the head of the department and he assured me that coverage is available and that workflow will not be affected much.

I kindly ask you to consider my request and I am hopeful that will approve it. Attached to this letter are the program acceptance letter and other related documents for your reference.

Best Regards

(Insert name)”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i ask for sabbatical leave.

To ask for sabbatical leave consider:

– Researching about the company policy, if you are eligible and if your company has a format or specific procedure.

– Make sure you mention how valuable you are for the company.

– Indicate why you need the sabbatical and its value.

– Consider offering assistance in training someone to replace you while you are on leave.

– Indicate the dates when you want the sabbatical to start and when to end.

– Thank your company for considering your request.

How do I write a letter requesting extended leave?

To write a letter requesting extended leave consider:

– Submitting your letter in advance and having enough time for your employer to make any necessary adjustments.

– Being concise and polite about the reason why you need an extension.

– Thanking your employer for the leave days you had been offered before and for considering the extension.

– Indicating the dates you are expecting to return after your extension.

– Being polite, professional and sincere. 

How do I apply for leave for personal reasons?

To apply for leave for personal reasons you could follow this example (template):

“(Subject: leave application to boss for personal reasons)

Respect Sir, With due respect, I would like to request you for work leave. I need this leave on (date) [ For Example: I need work leave on 10th May] or from (date) to (date) [ For Example: I need work leave from 10th May to 13th May] for some personal reason.”

How do you structure a sabbatical?

A sabbatical can be structured around:

– Pursuing your passion such as travelling, reading, writing, gardening, volunteering or doing any type of social work.

– Raising your family or taking care of your child(ren) or having more time to spend with your family.

– Going back to university/college to pursue higher education or degree.

– Changing your career focus or starting your own business.

What is sabbatical leave policy?

The sabbatical leave policy may vary from one employer to the next.

However, usually a sabbatical leave provides employees with the option to undergo specialist training or pursuing further education to enhance skills or knowledge.

In addition, your employer may ask to apply with a few months in advance and for no more than 12 consecutive months.

Always make sure to research on your employer’s policies.

References 

Free-sample-letter.com: “How to write a professional sabbatical proposal”

Lettersandtemplares.com: “Sabbatical Leave Letter Sample”

Work.chron.com: “How to Write a Letter Requesting a Sabbatical”

Careerfaqs.com.au: “Leave of absence for sabbatical letter”

Horoszowski, M. (2015, Dec.) How To Ask for a Sabbatical in 2015. Retrieved from blog.movingworlds.org. 

Formpl.us: “How to Write a Leave Application Letter (+5 letter samples)”

Thecareerbreaksite.com: “How to ask for a sabbatical- and make sure you get one!”

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