Read handy information and tips to help you understand your options when it comes to taking a career break from work in the UK.
Have you ever thought about taking a career break from your work at a large corporation or a small business? Do you dream of having your very own adult gap year, travelling the world and exploring foreign lands, whilst also being able to go back to a career you worked hard to carve out for yourself? You’re not alone. Many people dream of taking a career break, wanting to enrich their lives with travel or, maybe even just to time at home to complete projects they have neglected for years, or to spend time with loved ones.
It sounds like a dream but, can it be a reality?
Do You Have A Right To A Career Break?
In America there is something called a sabbatical. A sabbatical is common in the USA and it basically means a break from work although it is often quite short. In the UK, this kind of break is not as common as in America and there are no laws saying you have a right to leave and come back to a job. So, you don’t have a right to a career break if you want one.
It is important to understand that your employer does not have to agree to you having a career break and there is no legislation to say you can have one. You will not get paid for a career break and you may have to work within very specific contract terms from your employer in relation to any break from your job.
How To Make A Career Break Possible
You really have two choices when it comes to having a career break. You can either form an agreement with your boss about taking a career break, or you can leave your job and risk getting a new one when you wish to return back to work.
If you do want to approach your boss about taking a career break you should prepare. Your boss will need to know why a career break for you benefits them. Maybe the new skills you will be getting will be usable in your job when you return. Could you represent the company with volunteer work? Is a career break a just reward for achieving certain goals within your job? When approaching your boss about a career break do ensure you:
- Detail how it benefits them
- Include all details relevant to your workplace
- Detail the exact length of time you want to be gone for
- Explain how the job that you do can be covered whilst you are away
- Make sure that your employer can’t use poor performance or attendance against you
If you demonstrate a clear case to your boss they may allow you to have a career break. Usually staff members who are valued and who have truly secured their position in a company stand the best chance of getting a career break agreed by their employer. If they do agree to your career break do make sure that some documentation is created and agreed to ensure that there is an agreement between you as to what your career break entails (where it concerns your employer) and when you will return to work.
With the right preparation, you may well be able to convince your employer to allow you to have a career break. If you are lucky enough to make it happen, do consider using cheap self storage to store your belongings whilst you travel. Cheap self storage gives you more flexibility in terms of what you do with your home whilst you travel and prices are reasonable if you shop around. You can save on rent and store everything you own for the duration of your trip, or maybe rent your home out to earn extra income to support your trip. The more options you have, the better when it comes to this incredible chance at making memories.
