Phuong, 37, plans to retire at 55 from Sun Life and open her own floral store. In the meantime, she’s looking to hone her skills on evenings and weekends with a part-time job in the business.
"It worked out really nicely that I was able to take a break from work knowing that my job was there and that I could return to it refreshed and bring back any skill set that I learned," Phuong said.
As the pandemic continues, more employers are looking to beef up their benefits packages by adding sabbaticals into the mix.
A survey last July by recruiting firm Robert Half Canada found 38 per cent of Canadian HR managers indicated they plan to offer a leave of absence or sabbatical as a benefit in 2022. The result compared with a report in
At the onset of the pandemic, many organizations restructured and laid off employees. The remaining staff were left with higher workloads, which has contributed to the widespread cases of burnout that we’re seeing, said
It’s also been a challenge for many individuals working from home to unplug, Shekhtman added.
With many employees now looking for a substantial break, sabbaticals provide a chance to recharge beyond the traditional two- or three-week vacation, he said.
Hatherell said there’s a higher success rate when employers work with employees to link a sabbatical to core values and enhancing a sense of purpose.
He considers three-month sabbaticals as short-term sabbaticals, and said breaks of this length with a defined purpose are seen as very attractive for generation Z and generation Y employees.
For employers open to sabbaticals, it’s important that they communicate to employees that they’re an option, so people don’t end up resigning with the assumption that their personal pursuits won’t be supported, Shekhtman said.
Likewise, employees curious about sabbaticals should speak to their managers to see if they’re an option, and explain why they would beneficial and what they want to do during that time, he added.
In terms of the etiquette around asking, Shekhtman recommended workers wait until they’ve put in a couple of years worth of service to show they have a proven track record with the organization.
“I think it’s something that is earned over time,” he said.
In Phuong’s case, she described her sabbatical experience as a win-win for both her and Sun Life. It was a chance to refresh and pursue her personal goals, while also bringing value to her current role.
“With floral school, you’re learning about the business aspect of it and the art of negotiating, and that definitely ties into my current role.”
The 2021 Robert Half survey was conducted online between
This report by
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