What is sabbatical leave?
Sabbatical leave is paid leave for professionals. It lasts from several weeks to several months and allows burned out employees to rest, regenerate or, in the form of their choice, expand their knowledge and competences.
Although the name „sabbatical”, translated from the English language, suggests a time off from work for scientific reasons, the definition of the term is basically different. Sabbatical leave is a few weeks or even several months of paid leave and mainly concerns corporate employees who feel burned out in their work. It serves to rest or travel. Occasionally, employees receive training or are involved in voluntary organizations while on sabbatical leave. It is worth mentioning that the employer usually decides about the length of sabbatical leave, but it is the employee who determines how he will use this time.
Today, large corporate enterprises want to attract the best, most creative and productive employees on the market. In return, they offer high salaries, additional bonuses, such as membership tickets in various establishments and institutions, or the possibility of using the company car for private purposes. Unfortunately, the monotony of work in a corporation, a strong exposure to stress and the requirement to work overtime can harm even the best specialists with a strong character and firmly defined professional goals. Overseas, in large corporations, sabbatical has become the norm. For many years, employees of McDonald’s, IBM, American Express, Nike and Intel, as well as many other global brands, have been able to count on him. In Poland, the idea is just beginning, but it is already gaining a group of supporters.
Sabbatical leave is dedicated to professionals, people in high positions, with vast knowledge and experience. An employer satisfied with such an employee would have a hard time accepting his departure, and even worse, starting work with a competitor. That is why she gives him free time to regenerate, rest and collect his thoughts. And all this for a fee that is agreed between the parties.
It is assumed that a person granted sabbatical leave works continuously for 5-10 years in a given company, and their individual results have a significant impact on the development and reputation of the company. In Poland, sabbatical is granted sporadically and usually concerns unique experts in a given field.
As mentioned, the reason for applying for sabbatical leave may be burnout and the related desire to rest and recuperate, but not only that. The reasons for the employee may also be the desire to complete a dream language course abroad, undergo training that will raise his qualifications or problems in his personal and family life.
Sabbatical leave sounds like a dream come true for an employee. Without resigning from work and with constantly receiving salaries, he can afford blissful laziness, long journeys or an additional course. This type of leave is also a good solution for people who experience certain difficulties in their personal life. Depressive states or the loss of a loved one are easier to get over with a sense of professional stability and stable income. Besides, sabbatical vacation can be creative time. Many then look for new inspirations or a way of life. Taking a rest and exploring the world shows them new perspectives, thanks to which they can return to the company full of energy and new ideas.
The lofty vision of sabbatical leave may also have some downsides. This form of leave is not supported by the labour or civil code, so it is a partnership agreement between the employee and the employer. Unfortunately, what was agreed on one day may not be translated into reality six months later.
Even if the terms of sabbatical leave were for the employee to return to the same position, random accidents may result in the employee being hired in his place and the employee may return to a lower position. The risks associated with sabbatical leave also come from the question of earnings. Well, the remuneration paid by the enterprise may be lower than the regular one. The company’s financial problems may also mean that the salary will cease to be paid, because the employee on this type of leave actually does not work.
Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.
