Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
- Sabbaticals can significantly boost creativity and mitigate burnout by allowing employees to step back, rejuvenate, and return with fresh perspectives.
- Regular breaks can promote long-term career engagement and loyalty, reducing turnover and enabling employees to pursue personal interests and further education.
- Transitioning to a culture that normalizes sabbaticals involves overcoming financial and logistical hurdles, but with thoughtful planning and adaptation, the long-term benefits for both employees and organizations could be substantial.
What if we stopped limiting our views of what the Future of Work can be? In our What if…? Series, Allwork.Space is letting imagination run wild to explore what the world of work might evolve into, if we don’t limit ourselves with the trappings of the past. In these articles we explore how we might move into the future of work, and the impact those imaginings could have on those who want to thrive in it.
Have a wild idea that you are curious about? Shoot a note to news@allwork.space with the subject line “What if…?” and we’ll dive in.
In our fast-paced work culture, employees are under immense pressure to consistently perform at their peak, often at the expense of their mental and physical health.
But what if taking career breaks and sabbaticals was not just accepted, but became the norm in the future of work?
The potential positive impacts on creativity, burnout rates, and career longevity are far-reaching and warrant close examination.
Phil Geldart, HR expert and Eagle’s Flight CEO told Allwork.Space, “investing in the knowledge and skills of the workforce will pay meaningful dividends. This knowledge and skill can often be enhanced when it occurs outside the normal course of a career, on a sabbatical or extended leave created for that purpose.”
The Creative Renaissance
Creativity is a coveted asset in the workplace, yet it can be stifled by the relentless grind of daily tasks. In fact, people are more likely to come up with innovative ideas when they are relaxed and not under undue stress.
Career breaks offer employees the opportunity to step back, gain perspective, and return to work with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm.
Consider the tech industry, where innovation is critical. Companies often lament the shortage of groundbreaking ideas, but fail to acknowledge that the constant pressure for productivity can suppress creativity.
By instituting regular sabbaticals, companies could create an environment where employees feel recharged and more capable of contributing novel solutions.
Historical precedents exist to support this: Leonardo da Vinci took several breaks from his work, which many historians believe contributed to his ability to produce revolutionary ideas.
Mitigating Burnout
Burnout is a widespread issue impacting workers’ well-being and productivity. The World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as an occupational phenomenon in its International Classification of Diseases, underscoring its seriousness.
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It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.
Frequent career breaks could serve as an invaluable antidote to burnout. In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, it was found that employees who take regular time off are less likely to suffer from work-related stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Additionally, countries like Denmark and Norway, where longer vacation periods and sabbaticals are more common, report lower instances of burnout among their workforce.
Promoting Career Longevity
The traditional career model, where individuals work continuously until retirement, is increasingly being questioned. As life expectancy rises and the nature of work progresses, career longevity has become a topic of significant concern.
Sabbaticals can provide employees with time to pursue personal interests, further education, and even explore new career paths, contributing to a more fulfilling work-life balance and longer career lifespan.
Studies show that employees who take periodic breaks are also more likely to stay engaged in their careers over the long term.
For instance, a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management found that companies offering sabbaticals experienced lower turnover rates, with employees feeling more loyal and committed to their employers.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of sabbaticals are evident, implementing such a cultural transformation would require overcoming several hurdles. Financial constraints, project continuity, and workforce planning are significant concerns for businesses.
However, with thoughtful planning, these challenges can be managed.
Organizations can start with short breaks and gradually extend them as they become more normalized. Cross-training employees and cultivating a culture of teamwork can mitigate disruptions.
Moreover, remote work technology has made it easier to stay connected, allowing for a blend of relaxation and professional engagement during breaks.
While this adaptation might pose some challenges, the long-term benefits to both employees and organizations could significantly outweigh the initial costs.
For an industry dedicated to encouraging growth and innovation, embracing the concept of regular career sabbaticals could be the key to unlocking a more creative, productive, and sustainable future.
One Expert Offers Their Opinion
Jennifer Shielke, talent recruitment expert and CEO of Summit Group Solutions poses the question, “The American Dream wasn’t built on career breaks and sabbaticals…but, what if the ushering in of global unions and new generations in the workforce has brought with it a new ideal?”
“What if instead of the traditional American Dream, people are now envisioning a workplace where taking a career break isn’t looked down upon? What if our working society took far more sabbaticals? The question becomes whether it is sustainable,” she mused.
She told Allwork.Space that since career gaps are generally not favored in competitive job markets, it’s crucial to proactively address them by reskilling, volunteering, networking, and maintaining a positive attitude.
“The positives are that built-in company sabbaticals can be a competitive advantage to attract candidates to the company and encourage tenure/retention (programs may often require/award sabbaticals after a specific amount of time of service),” Shielke said.
Employee sabbaticals offer time for continued education, skill development, community service, and wellness, but they present potential downsides like career interruptions and cultural impacts.
Firms must balance benefits like retention and enhanced career paths with costs like decreased efficiency and the need for temporary replacements, considering industry-specific constraints.
“We also need to seriously consider the timing of this hypothetical push. Most of the economy in the United States is made up of small businesses. The statistical odds stack against the survival of small businesses, and ushering in new barriers will impact their ability to compete and continue,” Shielke cautions. “The two considerations we keep running into are even if something is a good thing, is it sustainable, and/or if something is sustainable, is it also good?”
Evaluating sustainability and goodness requires considering employer and employee benefits and challenges from financial, social, moral/ethical, and economic perspectives.
The balance of these factors can vary due to individuals’ diverse backgrounds and should involve intentional dialogue and planning.
This planning is as important for businesses as it is for the individuals who may decide to take a sabbatical — and where to do so.
Shielke advises that a good practice for each person would be to take a look at the economies of the world and understand what they are truly willing to give up to operate in another economic environment. Look at those countries and understand what you want to be doing and where you want to be; what type of future suits you best.
“Giving into a desire now may have unintended consequences to our dreams later,” Shielke said. “Nothing is free, but for the freedom we choose and the path to that freedom — be it enduring or defeating.”
