Career Breaks

A career break is a period of unpaid leave granted by an employer for a specific duration; employees can take from one to five years off during their career while remaining a member of staff. The main feature of a career break is that your job is guaranteed, usually at the same level, on return. Employees take career breaks for a variety of reasons including travel, study, voluntary work, starting a business or to care for children or a family member.

Career Breaks have been in operation in the civil service for a number of years. Their career break scheme allows employees to take special leave without pay (subject to a minimum of six months and a maximum of five years) for child-rearing and other domestic purposes, educational purposes and travel abroad. Officers returning to work after a career break are assigned to the next appropriate vacancy arising and are guaranteed re-employment within twelve months of the expiry of their career break.
The benefits of career breaks are many, including:

curing burnout
serving as incentives
reinvigorating employees
resolving personal problems that affect work.

Employers are starting to see the value of allowing extended leave in reducing "burnout" and helping career development.

According to a 1996 report, just under 10% of private companies in Ireland offer employment breaks or extended leave arrangements. Many companies now offer career breaks as part of their family-friendly policies.

The cost to employers of running such a scheme is minimal. Often colleagues can cover, and filling the gap can be looked on as a development opportunity for other staff. Breaks must be well planned however and beneficial to both employer and employee. It's important for both sides to agree to continuity of service, exact length of leave and how the employee will keep in touch.
The following tips should help you if you're considering approaching your employer about a career break:

First, find out your company's official or unofficial policy on leaves of absence. If your company doesn't have a policy, there may be some flexibility for a relatively short leave, particularly if you're a good performer.
Be sure you know your standing in the company. Even though the economy is booming, can you really afford to take time off without endangering your current position?
Assess your personal goals for your career break - how you want to use it, what you want to accomplish, how much time you need and how much it will cost.
Ensure you can show your boss why it's in his or her best interest to allow you this leave. Try to structure a career break that may have benefits to your company as well as yourself.
Include provisions in your plan that will help your co-workers when you're off, including how your responsibilities will be covered. Consider checking in with the office from time to time to ensure things are going well.

And finally, don't just spring your proposal on your boss ten days before you want to leave. Getting a career break will be easier if you plan well in advance.