Sabbatical leave: Meaning, benefits, and how to make the most of it
Many of us look forward to our paid leave throughout the year, whether for taking an overseas holiday or just enjoying downtime at home. Sometimes, you might decide to take a longer break and leave work for an extended period of a few weeks or months. This is the definition of a sabbatical.
In modern work culture, sabbaticals are becoming an important staple of improving work-life balance. Australian workers aren't legally entitled to unpaid or paid sabbatical leave, so it's up to individual companies to decide on whether their employees can take a sabbatical.
It's important to note that there are long-service leave entitlements for workers in Australia. This type of leave is awarded to people who have been with the same employer for more than seven years (or 10, depending on the state you live in). The length of leave you’re entitled to is calculated differently from company to company, but the idea is the same; after a certain number of years' service, you’re entitled to an extended period of paid time off. You could use your long-service leave to have a paid sabbatical.
Here is more about the sabbatical meaning, its benefits, and how to make the most of sabbatical leave.
What is a sabbatical?
Sabbatical comes from the Greek word "sabatikos," which means "of the Sabbath" – the Biblical day of rest that happens every seventh day. In the 1880s, we began to recognise the term as we know it today – as a period of extended leave from work. Harvard University (and other notable educational institutions in America) offered academics the opportunity to qualify for paid sabbatical leave as an employee benefit.
Many professionals use sabbaticals as an intentional, long break from work to pursue other interests or to take time out. If a sabbatical is something you'd like to consider, it's important to first make sure you know your annual leave entitlements. There are two types of sabbaticals, which can last from a few weeks to a whole year:
Paid sabbatical: you take time off and still receive all or a portion of your salary. This typically depends on whether the organisation has sabbatical leave rules in place and is usually at the discretion of the business.
Unpaid sabbatical: you receive no wages from your employer for the leave period. Unpaid leave is sometimes shorter, lasting a few weeks rather than months.
Sabbatical leave rules in Australia
There's currently no legal requirement for employers to offer employees sabbatical leave. Businesses often have different rules on whether or not to offer sabbaticals. It's always best to check these with your employer.
If offering them, your employer can choose whether to make sabbaticals paid or unpaid. You may receive your full salary for a paid sabbatical or a portion of your wage. Your employer may decide the amount to pay depending on the length of time you want to take off. Usually, employers that offer sabbaticals have a sabbatical leave policy that outlines eligibility, duration and process.
Adobe and Deloitte are two examples of businesses that offer sabbaticals in Australia. Commonwealth Bank of Australia employees can also enjoy sabbaticals, including career breaks and purchased annual leave. Government agencies also offer employees the chance to purchase sabbatical leave.
Why do people take sabbaticals?
There are many reasons employees take sabbatical leave from their jobs. Four of the most common include:
Career development: employees might want to pursue further training within their field or take time out to study.
Personal growth: people can take sabbaticals to develop non-professional skills and attributes.
Passion projects: extended leave can help employees pursue creative interests they may not otherwise have time for.
Avoiding burnout: sabbaticals can help protect mental and physical health and reduce stress. SEEK's Workplace Happiness Index 2024 reported that 45% of workers were not happy in their jobs – and burnout can be a factor.
People may undertake various sabbatical activities while on extended leave from work, such as:
Volunteering: some people choose to work within a local community or travel abroad for voluntourism opportunities.
Further education: many professionals return to university, retrain, or develop their educational skills.
Learning new skills: employees may want to discover a new career path or develop a side hustle using their hobbies and skills.
Travelling: people may want to enrich their lives with experiences in different places.
The benefits of taking a sabbatical
Taking sabbatical leave has many benefits, including improving your work-life balance, letting you upskill, giving you a creative break and spending more time with loved ones.
Stress reduction and mental health improvement
In 2023, researchers at the University of Melbourne discovered that one in two employees aged between 18 and 54 feels exhausted at work. Taking a sabbatical can reduce stress, contributing to a more positive mental attitude at work.
Opportunity for skill development or learning
Sabbatical leave opens the door to developing different skills and embracing new learning opportunities. People might return to university to upskill or even pursue a personal academic interest.
Career reflection and potential pivoting
Taking some reflective time to think about your career trajectory can be enlightening. It can pave the way to taking a different direction, either within the same industry or a different field.
Increased creativity and fresh perspectives
Stepping away from the daily commute, workload, and responsibilities can offer clarity and a chance to refocus. Discovering new pursuits, such as art, writing, or sports and fitness, can give your mind and body a chance to rejuvenate.
Improved work-life balance
Sabbatical leave can help you map out your work-life balance in a way that's not as easy when working every day. It gives you time to sit down and consider ways to improve your working life and manage it more effectively with your personal life.
Enhanced job satisfaction upon return
After a sabbatical leave, employees often return to work with a renewed perspective on their role and feel more ready and able to tackle their everyday tasks.
Types of sabbaticals
There are different kinds of sabbatical leave:
Academic sabbaticals: you use the time off to pursue further studies or conduct research relevant to your field.
Professional development sabbaticals: this sabbatical leave can allow you to try something different while knowing you can return to your job. It's a great way to gain more experience and skills.
Personal growth sabbaticals: time off work for personal growth can help you pursue creative interests. You could develop a skill, such as coding, or learn a new language. It can give you renewed interest and passion for returning to work.
Volunteer sabbaticals: volunteering with charitable organisations can give you a fresh perspective on life. There may be an opportunity to take up to two months of paid leave for environmental work in the Kimberley, for instance.
Travel sabbaticals: another way to spend your sabbatical leave is to travel and discover far-flung places, cultures and opportunities.
How to plan for a sabbatical
Now that you have a better idea of the types of sabbaticals you can take, here's a step-by-step guide explaining how to plan and organise your sabbatical leave.
1. Determine your goals for the sabbatical
What do you want to achieve in your time off? Have a clear goal in mind, whether you want to travel and expand your horizons or learn new skills.
2. Research your company's sabbatical policy
As of 2023, only a fraction of companies offer sabbaticals as policy. You may need to approach your manager to find out what your company provides.
3. Plan your finances and budget
Under Fair Work Australia, sabbaticals aren't a mandated employee entitlement, so it’s up to individual employers to decide whether or not to grant one. You must also work within your financial means as your sabbatical may not be paid at your full salary – or at all. A great way to work out your finances is to use a budget-calculating tool.
4. Consider your timing
Think about the amount of time you'd like to take off and when it would be feasible. Your arrangements may be open to negotiation between you and your employer. Asking for a sabbatical during slower periods at work is recommended.
5. Prepare your work for your absence
Think about the handover documents you'll need to consider for your leave. If you need to train another staff member to carry out your duties or even help recruit a contractor to cover your role for a few months, be proactive in assisting your employer with these tasks.
6. Communicate with employers and colleagues
Be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your employer, manager and colleagues. This is especially important if, during your sabbatical, you decide not to return to your job.
Making the most of your sabbatical leave
You've considered when and how to book your sabbatical leave, your finances are all in place, and it's time to take your leave. Here are some ideas on how to make the most of it.
Set clear goals and objectives
Taking a sabbatical can enhance your employability if you use it to further your skills. If you're taking time off to restart your education or volunteer abroad, think about what you want to achieve. Your goals could be weekly or monthly. Every so often, check whether you're sticking to your target or need to revise anything.
Maintain a schedule or structure
It's important to ensure that you structure your plans and have a timetable or schedule to check. A clear plan can help you find a positive direction and stay motivated.
Engage in activities that align with your sabbatical's purpose
Find ways to actively follow the purpose of your sabbatical. If you're returning to study, try to volunteer or find work opportunities that align with the course.
Document your experience
Many people find writing everything down and recording their sabbatical leave therapeutic. Take notes of how you spend your time and track your progress towards your goals.
Network and build relationships
Use the time to open new pathways, whether through friendships with colleagues or networking with the people you've met during your sabbatical. These opportunities can be constructive for moving forward in your career when you return to work.
Reflect on your experience and learning
It's important to have time to reflect on what you've learned during your sabbatical leave. It can be a valuable period during which you rediscover your passions and learn more about your future goals.
Returning to work from a sabbatical
Once you're approaching the end of your sabbatical leave, think about how you'll return to work and reintegrate it into your daily life. It can take time to adjust and get back into the swing of things, so below are some points to consider.
Preparing for your return to work
There may be changes to adjust to, both mentally and physically. It might take some time to get back into your previous work routine. Recent figures suggest that up to 60% of employees find it tricky to adjust back to their work routine after a long break.
Communicating with your employer
Once you return to work, keep communication channels open with your employer. Workplaces sometimes change rapidly, and there may be much to catch up on and readjust to.
Applying new skills or insights to your work
If you've taken the time to study or learn new skills, it's a great chance to put them to good use in your daily work life. This knowledge can give you a renewed sense of purpose and positivity in what you do.
Dealing with potential challenges
There may be issues to think about after a long break, as returning to the daily work routine can be hard. Start by setting small, achievable daily goals to ease yourself back into working life.
You might need to update your skills or undertake training if there have been changes in your workplace while you were away. As you do this, update your resumé as well.
Reaching out to your line manager or coworkers for help is a great idea, if you're feeling out of the loop; simply opening up a network of support in your team can make a difference to how you feel when you return to work.
Maintaining the benefits of your sabbatical
Hold onto the positive feelings and accomplishments of your sabbatical, to give you renewed motivation and enthusiasm for work. Maintain any good lifestyle habits you started during your sabbbatical, like daily exercise or setting time aside for hobbies.
Sabbaticals can have a wide range of benefits for workers. They're a great way to develop professionally and personally and proactively care for your mental and physical health. If you feel that taking sabbatical leave aligns with your goals and your circumstances allow for one, it’s a topic worth mentioning to your employer. Chat with your manager about your leave entitlements, what you have in mind for a sabbatical, and the ways it might benefit you and your company
FAQs
What are the historical origins of sabbaticals?
The origin of sabbaticals goes back to around 1880 when Harvard University introduced them to academic professionals to help them pursue their interests and research areas outside of work.
What unique or innovative types of sabbaticals are companies offering?
Companies mostly just offer paid time and it's up to the employee to choose how they spend it. In past years in the United States, Boston Consulting Group employees used their sabbaticals to teach classes in higher education. Wise offers its workers a six-week paid break with GBP 1,000 bonus.
What are some things I can do in Australia on sabbatical?
If you’re considering taking a sabbatical in Australia, there are many rewarding things to do. You can use it to travel within the country, to see the sights and learn about Indigenous history. You could look at volunteering opportunities such as working at a wildlife rescue or taking part in Great Barrier Reef marine conservation. Consider returning to university to study as a mature student or take up a creative pursuit such as writing or art.
What are the potential drawbacks or challenges of taking a sabbatical?
Potential drawbacks or challenges of taking a sabbatical include reintegrating into daily work life afterwards, and finding it hard to feel motivated. Some employees find that a sabbatical refocuses their career ambitions and that their job is no longer suitable for them. A long sabbatical can help you reevaluate your life and make changes professionally and personally.
