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About SabbaticalsKabbala

Sabbaticals have a long history. In biblical times, sabbatical years occurred every seventh year. For that whole year there was no cultivation, people and fields rested and rejuvenated.

For centuries sabbaticals have been a part of the tradition in academia and many churches. Tenured professors and clergy have been granted sabbatical leave for renewal. They have typically used the time for travel and for research.

Part of the reason that sabbaticals have such an enduring appeal is that they offer people a chance to be themselves rather than their work roles (e.g. a doctor or a lawyer). This stepping outside one of our most insidious false identifications (the mistaken belief that I am my job) gives access to immense personal freedom and spiritual renewal.

In fact the freedom to explore beyond the bounds of our normal routine is often essential if we are to connect deeply with ourselves and our vision for what is next in life.

The practice of sabbatical has entered the commercial world in the past 50 years, with major employers such as IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, McDonalds, Xerox, Nike, Wells Fargo and American Express offering sabbatical leave programs.

Japanese GardenBack in 1997, the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 33% of it’s members offered sabbatical programs as tools for employee retention.

In the past 10 years the employment environment has changed. Job turnover has increased and employers no longer assume the same levels of responsibility for their employees. In the same way that company pension funds are being replaced by portable 401(k) plans, the sabbatical is becoming the employee’s responsibility.

Meanwhile, the appetite for sabbaticals is increasing. A 2001 survey quoted by “American Demographics” found that over 60% of Generation X employees (born 1964-1978) want to take an extended leave or sabbatical.

In the 21st century, the sabbatical is increasingly being funded from the employees savings rather than being paid for by their employer. In their 2005 report, SHRM found that 23% of companies now offer sabbaticals with 74% of those being unpaid. In addition, more sabbaticals are being taken between jobs (sometimes funded by severance packages). Taking the break you want may involve leaving a job with the intention of finding another when you return.

The following publications have articles that might be interesting to those wanting to see the bigger picture:

New York Times: “In an age of job hopping, a perk to reward loyalty -- sabbaticals for those with five years or more on the job -- is taking on increased importance.

Though the academic world initiated sabbatical programs, they have been embraced by the government and the private sector, including companies as varied as McDonald's, Nike, Boston Consulting, Goldman Sachs and Silicon Graphics as well as law and accounting firms. Some companies restrict time off to educational forays and charitable projects, while others encourage everything from beachcombing, family time and travel. Leaves can be paid or unpaid and can last weeks or months.” Full article...

Fast Company: “Are you ready for a radical sabbatical? Forget spending a few months - after 10 years of service - to dabble in pottery or to learn Italian. People are using radical sabbaticals to question their priorities, to challenge their life assumptions, to reinvent themselves.” Full article....

HR Magazine: “A sabbatical program can help employees gain perspective and return to work with a stronger commitment to the company. ” Full article....

Daily Telegraph (London, UK): "In fact, there is growing recognition that sabbaticals can reenergize key staff by giving them time to enjoy and learn from new experiences," says Nick Page, adviser on reward and employment conditions for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.” Full article...

Los Angeles Business Journal: "Whoever has the most gold when they die doesn't win," said Carlo Cannell, founder of San Francisco-based Cannell Capital LLC. "I seek a break. It may be six months. It may be forever." Full article...

American Demographics: “According to New York-based Mercer Human Resource Consulting's 2000 Survey of Work/Life Initiatives, 15 percent of the 450 large employers surveyed offered paid sabbaticals last year, up from 11 percent in 1998; an additional 5 percent said they were considering adding such programs to their benefits policy.”

“A 2001 survey by New York-based nonprofit Catalyst found that 18 percent of Generation Xers (born between 1964 and 1978) currently take leaves and sabbaticals, and an additional 43 percent would like to. According to a 2001 survey by Des Moines, Iowa-based The Principal Financial Group, more than half the employees of small and midsize companies say they long for a sabbatical. Ten percent of 1,500 employees surveyed have taken or plan to take a sabbatical. An additional 47 percent say they would like to take one but feel they can't due to financial factors or the unwillingness of their employers.” Full article...

The Evening Standard (London, UK): “Sabbaticals originated in the academic sector and mean a long period off work (usually unpaid) to do something constructive. It used to be the case that you had to jack in your job to take one.

Today, with careful planning, you may be able to learn a new skill, travel or indulge a burning creative urge with your employer's consent.

According to a new survey by First Rate Travel Services, 10 million Brits are currently planning an extended break.” Full article...

Financial News: “Whether you intend to return to a similar job, or do something completely different, it is worth planning carefully what you will do during your time away. Gall says six months can easily be squandered:

'Plan ahead. Time will fly. While six months spent doing something you are really interested in can enhance your career, six months spent wondering what to do next will not.' Outside assistance can help.” Full article...