Can You Actually Take A Sabbatical Now?

And are you risking your job if you do?

- Adora Wong

Maybe it’s enrolling for a pastry course in France. Or hiking the mountains of Nepal. It could even be working on a project right here in Singapore. Whatever the scenario, you probably have an idea of what you would do if you took some time off work. But the question is: could you really make it happen?

If you’ve been itching to take a sabbatical, you must have also been wondering if you deserve one. After all, as a 20-something who’s only been in the rat race a couple of years, taking a break might seem strange. Many professionals rarely go on holiday, much less take a sabbatical. And even when they do, they’ve usually been working for quite some time.

First things first: know what it is

A sabbatical is an extended break from your job, so very much like a long vacation. It typically lasts between two months and a year and you’re expected to return to your job after. On the other hand, a career break involves quitting your job and doing something completely different.

Know your reasons

People usually take a sabbatical or embark on a career break for professional or personal reasons. If it’s professional, they feel burned out and want to re-energise or expand their skillset via study. If it’s personal, they want to focus more on the other areas of their lives or spend time with family.

If you’ve been feeling weary on the job, ask yourself if a vacation will help. Make the getaway longer if you have to, but if you think you’ll return feeling better, you probably don’t need to be considering an extended break.