Asking for a sabbatical

The good news is that sabbaticals or career breaks are so accepted now it’s unlikely to damage your career. Many big companies now have sabbaticals as part of their employment package – they help to attract and retain staff.

• Related links:
• Career break policy
• Career breaks and the law

If you want a sabbatical, first find out what the company's policy is. If there is a formal career break policy, your HR department should be able to advise you. Usually you have to have worked there for 2 years’ minimum and your sabbatical will probably be unpaid.

If there's no sabbatical policy, don't despair. Try to establish your boss's attitude to career breaks subtly, perhaps by mentioning something you saw on telly or read in the paper. Also sound out their attitude to training - as a well-structured sabbatical can be hugely valuable when it comes to learning new things.

• Related link:
• Direct your boss to the
• employer information section

When you're ready to ask for your sabbatical, put yourself in your employer's position. What is the company going to get out of your career break? For example, you can gain new skills you might not be able to develop in your day job (which they don't have to pay for). Things like:

• Language
• Leadership
• Problem-solving
• Tackling challenges
• Adaptability
• Negotiation
• Interpersonal

Remember, recruitment is expensive. It is probably cheaper to let you take your sabbatical (when they're not paying you) than to find someone new, hire them, train them and build up relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers again. A sabbatical policy also improves employee loyalty.

What do you want to do now?

• Search for a career break opportunity
• Order gap year information and brochures
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