Workers are increasingly favouring employers that offer sabbaticals as a way to combat burnout, gain new experiences, and enhance work-life balance, according to experts.
Exclusive data from the Chartered Management Institute reveals that more than half of managers (53%) report their organisations provide sabbatical leave, while just over a quarter (29%) say their companies do not. Managers in the public or charity sectors are more likely to have access to sabbaticals compared to those in the private sector (62% vs. 44%).
Anthony Painter, Director of Policy at the Chartered Management Institute, highlighted the dual benefits of sabbaticals for both employees and employers. “In today’s competitive job market, companies are enhancing their efforts to retain staff,” Painter explained. “Sabbaticals strike a balance between employee wellbeing and skills development, which ultimately benefits the employer. The dynamics of the employer-employee relationship have evolved, but it’s not a zero-sum game.”
The survey also found that younger managers under 55 are more likely to consider sabbatical leave important (80% compared to 72%). Two-fifths of managers cited improved employee wellbeing and mental health as the main reasons for offering sabbatical leave, while 36% aimed to foster a flexible work culture and 31% sought to enhance talent retention.
Recent research from Harvard Business Review indicates that sabbaticals are on the rise, with Adecco identifying them as one of the top five workplace trends. Sabbaticals not only boost job satisfaction but also help reduce employee turnover, making them increasingly attractive to employers.
