Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arranging a sabbatical
There is no legal obligation on employers to offer employees sabbaticals/career breaks.
However, they are often regarded as an important part of an employee's career development,
and may be granted for a variety of reasons including study research travel or voluntary
work which can often be related to the employee role.
Here's some useful things to know:
•
Sabbaticals can help companies retain senior staff by giving them the chance to do
something different, without leaving altogether.
•
Employers who grant sabbaticals will usually attach various conditions to eligibility
and what happens during the sabbatical.
•
Sabbaticals are usually only available to employees at senior levels and those who
have completed a specified number of years of continuous service.
•
Some organisations do not even have sabbatical policies.
•
Where an employer does grant sabbaticals, it must ensure that part-time employees
are afforded the same benefits as equivalent full-time staff.
•
Normally the employee will not receive pay or benefits for a sabbatical as the em-
ployee's contract is seen as suspended.
•
It's important that a strategy for the return to work is agreed in advance of the sab-
batical.
•
The employer should take particular care to ensure that any guarantee of re-employ-
ment is worded clearly and unambiguously in order to avoid any disagreement or
challenge at a later date.
