HBR IdeaCast
Why More Companies Should Have a Sabbatical Policy
Tue Jun 06 2023Description
Sabbaticals are becoming more popular in the business world, with official policies on the rise. Employers often wait too long to offer sabbaticals, resulting in burnt-out employees. Taking a sabbatical allows individuals to unpack their work identity and return to their true selves. Geographic disconnection during a sabbatical can create a different rhythm and boost energy and creativity upon return. Preparing mentally, informing family and coworkers, and managing finances are important for planning a successful sabbatical. Sabbaticals have positive outcomes regardless of income level or socioeconomic status. Companies should support employees in taking sabbaticals and encourage disconnection from work. Offering sabbaticals can help retain employees and demonstrate work-life balance. Creating space for honest conversations about job preferences and workload can improve employee satisfaction and prevent burnout. Implementing sabbaticals is a manageable change that can have transformative effects on organizations.
Insights
Sabbaticals allow individuals to unpack their work identity and return to their true selves.
Taking a sabbatical provides an opportunity for self-reflection and reevaluation of one's career, allowing individuals to break free from their current industry and explore other options.
Geographic disconnection during a sabbatical can boost energy and creativity upon return.
Research suggests that taking sabbaticals abroad or changing location can result in more energy and creativity when individuals return to work.
Companies should support employees in taking sabbaticals without financial burden.
Implementing policies that provide compensation, such as basic stipends and health insurance, can help employees take sabbaticals without worrying about financial stability.
Sabbaticals have positive outcomes regardless of income level or socioeconomic status.
Everyone can benefit from taking a sabbatical, regardless of their income level or socioeconomic status.
Creating space for honest conversations about job preferences and workload can improve employee satisfaction and prevent burnout.
Allowing employees to openly discuss their job preferences and workload can lead to increased satisfaction and prevent burnout.
Implementing sabbaticals is a manageable change that can have transformative effects on organizations.
Companies have successfully adapted to other changes in the past, and implementing sabbaticals is a manageable change that can have transformative effects on organizations.
Offering sabbaticals can help retain employees and demonstrate work-life balance.
By offering sabbaticals, companies can retain employees and show that they value work-life balance.
Taking sabbaticals should be encouraged as it benefits both individuals and the business.
Encouraging employees to take sabbaticals benefits both individuals and the business by allowing for personal growth and increased creativity.
Chapters
- Sabbaticals in the Business World
- Benefits and Preparation for Sabbaticals
- Positive Outcomes and Support for Sabbaticals
- Encouraging Sabbaticals in the Workplace
Sabbaticals in the Business World
00:01 - 07:22
- Sabbaticals are becoming more popular, especially due to the pressures of the pandemic.
- Official sabbatical policies offered by companies are on the rise.
- Employers often wait until it's too late to offer sabbaticals, resulting in burnt-out employees.
Benefits and Preparation for Sabbaticals
06:57 - 13:34
- A sabbatical is different from family leave or a longer vacation, typically lasting months instead of weeks.
- Taking a sabbatical allows individuals to unpack their work identity and return to their true selves.
- During a sabbatical, changing location can be important for successful disconnection from routine.
- Geographic disconnection can help create a different rhythm during a sabbatical.
- Research suggests that taking sabbaticals abroad can result in more energy and creativity upon return.
- Preparing mentally, informing family and coworkers, and managing finances are important aspects of planning for a sabbatical.
Positive Outcomes and Support for Sabbaticals
13:05 - 20:05
- Taking a sabbatical can lead to increased confidence and self-affirmation.
- Sabbaticals can be used for retraining or upskilling to explore new career paths within a company.
- Companies can implement policies that support employees in taking sabbaticals without financial burden.
- Funders in the nonprofit sector sometimes provide funding for nonprofit executives to take sabbaticals.
- Sabbaticals have positive outcomes regardless of income level or socioeconomic status.
- Companies should encourage disconnection during sabbaticals by shifting responsibilities and allowing employees to fully disconnect from work.
- Turnover is not something to be avoided, but rather embraced as it allows for the redistribution of responsibilities and prepares companies for unexpected departures.
Encouraging Sabbaticals in the Workplace
19:41 - 26:25
- Offering sabbaticals can help retain employees and demonstrate work-life balance.
- Allowing employees to take breaks can lead to increased loyalty.
- Creating space for honest conversations about job preferences and workload can improve employee satisfaction and prevent burnout.
- Implementing sabbaticals is not a dramatic change and companies have successfully adapted to other changes in the past.
- Expanding vacation policies is a good start, but taking extended leaves oneself as a leader can have transformative effects on the organization.
- Taking sabbaticals should be encouraged as it benefits both individuals and the business.