6 Signs You Need A Sabbatical And Why It’s Important For Your Career

As an employee, you are entitled to different types of leaves, including annual vacation leaves and sick leaves. Some companies also offer sabbatical leave, a lesser-known type of leave.

Meaning of sabbatical leave

To understand the meaning of sabbatical leave, here’s a definition from Dictionary.com: any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc. 

Sabbatical leaves or sabbaticals have seen a marked growth in popularity over recent years. A few contributing factors include the higher rate at which people are changing jobs and the companies becoming more open to the idea of employee retention. 

It is most usual for university professors and instructors to go on sabbatical leaves. When they do, they typically rest from work from six months to a year. During this time, they might do research, write a book, or teach at another university.

Who is entitled to sabbatical leave?

Sabbaticals have always been common in universities. But now, even organisations outside of academia are open to offering sabbatical leave to their employees, though the lengths of leaves vary. Additionally, compensation varies for sabbatical leaves. Some employers may pay you your full salary while you are on leave, while some may only pay you a portion of your salary. Then, there are also companies that would grant sabbatical leaves without pay.

Some companies in Malaysia offer sabbatical leaves as part of their employee benefits. Most grant sabbatical leaves to employees who have been with them for a certain number of years. Take for example HubSpot — the company provides a four-week paid sabbatical for employees who have been with them for five straight years.

However, since sabbatical leaves are not mandated by the government, you can’t demand them from a company that has not committed to providing its employees with such.

Can my employer refuse a sabbatical leave?

An employer can refuse a request for sabbatical leave for different reasons. It could be that the company is not able to fill in the gap you will leave behind. It is also possible that the company cannot afford to allow a sabbatical leave. 

Since sabbatical leaves are not mandated, policies vary from company to company. So, check with your HR team or the employee manual to see if you are entitled to a sabbatical leave. It is also important for you to know what the meaning of sabbatical leave is, according to your company.

On the other hand, not all employers are open enough to acknowledge the importance of sabbaticals, as some might not approve of the gap in your work history. But if you personally value sabbatical leaves, then you will want to work for an employer who shares the same principles as you.

When should I take a sabbatical leave?

With the meaning of sabbatical leave in mind, there are different reasons why it might be a good idea to pursue it. For whatever reason you have for taking a sabbatical, you should know what you want to achieve during this time. 

Are you currently contemplating taking a sabbatical leave? Here are some signs you can look out for.

1. You are feeling indifferent at work

Have you gone from being enthusiastic and passionate about your job to being completely indifferent to it? Has your purpose at work diminished into you waiting for your monthly paycheck? 

If you answer yes to either question, then you are in dire need of a change of environment. Taking a sabbatical will give you time and space away from your regular routine. It can help you clear your mind and reflect on what you want to achieve in your career.

2. You get annoyed by mundane things

If you are easily annoyed by your colleagues and bosses over petty matters, there is a good chance that you are too stressed out by your job and work environment. If you find yourself always in an irritable mood when you used to be calm and easygoing, maybe it is time to pause.

Daily stress takes its toll on all of us. Taking a sabbatical would give you the chance to get proper rest, recharge, and evaluate options for your career.

3. You are feeling stuck in a rut

Do you sense thatlike you have not made any real progress in achieving your career goals? Are you just going through the motions day in, day out, watching the weeks and months fly by, all the while feeling stuck and unable to move? Work is not meant to make you feel this way.

If you are not happy with where you are, you do not have to stay put. It might sound easier said than done, but the key is to take it one step at a time. First, you need to determine whether you can afford to take a career break. Second, you need the courage and preparation to do take that much-needed break. Just imagine what you can do with a few weeks of peace and quiet, with the time and freedom to explore different passions or learn new skills!

4. You are constantly demoralised

Do you feel unappreciated at your current workplace? It could be due to a combination of factors: an unconducive work environment, a job that does not utilise your strengths and skills, a lack of chemistry with your colleagues, or simply incompatibility with the company’s work culture.

If you feel out of place where you are, it is time to remove yourself from that environment. Go on a sabbatical and use the time to work on creative projects or do something you have always wanted to do but kept putting off. You might be surprised at what new talents you unearth!

5. You are being complacent

Are you just going with the flow, without any interest or motivation to learn new things? Have you been doing the same job for so long that you are no longer challenged by it? That is a definite red flag to watch out for.

Taking a sabbatical will give you a new lease on life. Whether you decide to spend it backpacking through your dream country for a year or doing volunteer work with underprivileged communities, you will get to do something different and exciting. 

6. You regularly receive negative reviews

If you have been getting negative performance reviews, in contrast with your previously stellar track record, something is clearly out of joint. Perhaps you are overworked. Maybe you are going through personal issues. Whatever it is, a decline in your work performance is cause for concern.

On its own, it might not merit a sabbatical, but if you ticked this box along with a few others on the list, chances are you are overdue for extended time off.

Conclusion

Now, you understand the meaning of sabbatical leave and know if you should take one. Keeping these points in mind, you must also remember the practical implications of going on sabbatical leave. The most crucial factor is your finances. If you are considering going on sabbatical leave, do not forget to save up. Here are five essential steps to managing your finances to get you started. 

If you think you just need some time off work, then consider taking an extended vacation leave instead. Here’s our ultimate guide to planning your annual leaves for 2021.

In the event that your employer does not offer sabbatical leave, be ready to resign from your job so you can achieve your personal goals. Once you’re ready to jump back into work, read this guide on how to explain your resume career gaps. 

Let the search for #JobsThatMatter begin! Update your profile at JobStreet and find work that will bring you passion and purpose. 

Don’t forget to visit the Career Resources Hub for more expert tips and advice on building a career and how to improve it.