Take a Hike

Take a Hike

What would you do with a few months off?

Go abroad? Get started on that passion project? Or simply take some time to rest and recharge?

For many of us, a sabbatical may not seem within reach. But more companies are starting to offer them: As of 2018, 24% of small businesses and 14% of large ones in the U.S. allow their employees to take this type of leave. This benefit — defined as either paid or unpaid time off that generally lasts between one to three months — can be invaluable for workers. And there’s upside for employers, too: Offering voluntary, unpaid sabbatical leave can help companies retain top talent and prevent burnout. Employees may use this time as a reset, so they return to work reinvigorated and ready to contribute.

We got an inside look at Procter & Gamble 's approach to sabbaticals and how their employees have taken advantage of this amazing workplace benefit. We’ll hear how it helped one woman recover from burnout and another reconnect with her roots — and for Maria Belen Silvestris , Brazil CMO and Senior Director Fabric & Home Care at P&G, the opportunity even allowed her to realize her dream of climbing Mount Everest.


Have you ever taken a sabbatical? Or wish you could? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 👇

Nora Nickel

Partner @ Troutman Pepper | Multifamily Housing Finance | Boy Mom | World Marathon Majors Chaser ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3mo

This post was very timely Katie Couric! Below is part of my current away message which I put up in the middle of July.  Thanks for reaching out and I’m sorry to miss you. I’m currently out of the office dedicating time towards a personal passion – preparing for the Berlin Marathon. I will return after the race in early October.  It’s the first time I’ve done something like this for myself in my 17-year career as an attorney. The demands of Big Law + being a working mom + marathon training has been tough to manage and balance. This is unpaid leave but I’m SO THANKFUL to work with a supportive team which has enabled me to focus and train for this bucket list marathon. There is a time goal but in general this journey has been eye opening and life changing already. I do miss my work family and look forward to coming back reenergized and ready to tackle 4th quarter with them. But in the meantime, the Berlin Marathon is coming up on September 29th and I can’t wait to race!  

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Zakaria Khan

Business Owner at TKT home made mosla products

3mo

Thanks for sharing Katie Couric

I just need a vacation that is all. Working, raising children then having a kidney transplant and still working. I need completely out of my zone. A nice adventurous trip traveling around Europe would be nice.

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Kathryn Montbriand

Guiding Professionals Through Mid-Career Pivots // Retreats | Workshops | Community | Speaking

4mo

It is wonderful to see more companies embracing the concept of sabbatical. When I left corporate, it took months not weeks to fully decompress and get back to a baseline mentally and physically. In the typical structure of 10-15 days PTO per year, there is just no way to build in an actual break like what happens on a sabbatical.

Susan Elford

I help multi-passionate women build the career or business they dream of so they enjoy a fulfilling work and home life. Founder, The Aligned Leader and the Aligned Business Collective.

4mo

Love this. There is so much more to life than work, the sabbatical is a concept that historically was only for the university professor. Progressive companies are now offering this to employees to encourage them to hang in there for the long(er) haul. One company I know has a clause that post-sabbatical the employee is required to give them another certain number of years. I think that makes a lot of sense. Great perk!

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