Taking a Sabbatical Leave Without Derailing Your Career

Sometimes, even a small break or a week-long vacation may not help you resume work with the same dedication and enthusiasm.Such cases increase the need for a sabbatical from work. You may take a sabbatical to spend time with family, engage in volunteer work to give back to society or travel and embark on a self-discovery journey. But before considering a sabbatical leave with no pay, financial evaluation is the utmost important factor.Besides, you will have to ask leave from your current employer or may be forced to quit the job in case the sabbatical is denied. To safeguard your interest, here are some steps to avail a sabbatical leave without derailing your career.

Many organisations provide sabbatical leaves to maintain a higher retention rate. Some organisations also offer paid sabbatical for employees to pursue professional courses and training that would later enhance work productivity. Find out if your company provides sabbatical leaves and if any employee has availed it.

Whether you are taking a break to travel or to involve in a year-long volunteering project, you need to present your sabbatical idea compellingly to your boss and your colleagues. This would validate your sabbatical leave, and you will gain support to pursue your goals.

If you will be returning to the company, convince your boss about how much you value the workplace. But at the same time convey that you have been experiencing burnout and you need a break to pursue your dream. Also, explain that you wish to complete specific personal goals so that you can resume work within a set timeline.

If you are planning a sabbatical leave, inform your boss much in advance to ensure smooth planning of work in your absence. Discuss with your boss ways of handing over your work to your team members or train a temporary hire for your job.

Your company won’t hesitate approving your sabbatical leave if you have been a diligent employee and a consistent performer. However, your boss may not approve your extended leave and may offer an incentive in place of the leave. Try and negotiate if a shorter sabbatical leave can be accepted.

Regardless of your location during your sabbatical leave, make sure you regularly stay in touch with your boss and colleagues. And this is even more important, especially when you are returning to the same company. A total disconnect during your leave would only mean ground level work of re-establishing your professional relationships with your employers and co-workers when you resume work.Another way to stay connected with the company is through freelance work and remote working projects during your sabbatical leave. This not only helps you keep in touch with the work skills but also provides reassurance to the company of your return.Your alternate option could be of returning to the same industry but not the same company. In this case, too, chart your sabbatical leave and the next course of action post your leave. If you plan to switch from a content writing job to a content strategist job, identify the skill sets required for the desired role.While you pursue your primary goal during your sabbatical leave, devote some time to gain knowledge on the desired role and broaden your professional network. Planned sabbatical leave will relieve the anxiety of losing touch from work. You will be able to resume work with enhanced skill sets and a renewed vigour.

The information contained herein is generic in nature and is meant for educational purposes only. Nothing here is to be construed as an investment or financial or taxation advice nor to be considered as an invitation or solicitation or advertisement for any financial product. Readers are advised to exercise discretion and should seek independent professional advice prior to making any investment decision in relation to any financial product. Aditya Birla Capital Group is not liable for any decision arising out of the use of this information.