ARE YOU STILL EMPLOYABLE AFTER A SABBATICAL OR A CAREER BREAK?

Why people are taking sabbaticals and if they're really so bad (Source: IMDB)

When 31-year-old writer and editor Kahini Calculttawalla found herself taking a sabbatical in the middle of 2023, she consciously decided not to put an expiry date on it. "It was scary to put my future in my own hands but I also didn’t want to put it in the hands of some company for which I am just a bottom line." What had caused such animosity towards her chosen career? Calcuttawalla clarifies that she loves the work she does, but the acrid taste in her mouth is the toxic cocktail of employers leaving much, much to be desired when it comes to monetary appreciation, or otherwise. Not to mention the omnipresent layoffs in the media industry. (Remember the cold plunge VICE took earlier this year?) "I don’t want to just wake up one day, laid off at the whim of someone else."

The 31-year-old writer is not alone in her disgruntlement. Jyotshna Senapati, a 29-year-old PR professional went on a 3-year career break when she was 25. Her trigger was the strenuous schedule at work.

The traditional Indian work ethic has long emphasised dedication and perseverance. Long hours, unwavering commitment, and a relentless pursuit of career goals were once the cornerstones of professional success. However, a new wave is rising, and it's centred on the importance of prioritising well-being. Sabbaticals and career breaks, once viewed with skepticism, are gaining traction as essential tools for maintaining physical and mental health – a move with significant implications for both employees and employers.

A 2022 global study by Censuswide on behalf of LinkedIn, surveying over 22,000 workers and 4,000 managers, revealed a significant trend: career breaks are becoming increasingly common. The study found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of employees have taken a break from their careers at some point, and a noteworthy 35% are interested in doing so in the future.

Recognising this shift, LinkedIn introduced its "Career Break" feature in the same year. This innovative feature allows users to seamlessly integrate career breaks into their professional profiles. Members can now choose from 13 pre-defined reasons for their break, including everything from parenting and travel to bereavement, relocation, and career transitions.

A screenshot from LinkedIn.

Why are people taking sabbaticals?

Imagine this: You've been climbing the corporate ladder for years, putting in long hours and achieving impressive milestones. Yet, lately, a nagging feeling persists – a sense of exhaustion and a disconnect from the work you once loved. This scenario is becoming increasingly common in India.

Anindya Avvayyam Rattan, 30-year-old journalist-turned-PR is a prime example of this. Disconcerted by the profession she was in, Rattan decided to take her first sabbatical in 2017. She has had to take multiple breaks ever since -- on account of her old parents and a shift to a new city after getting married. "Because of the unforeseen responsibilities I had to take on after getting married, my career somewhat took a backseat, as does many other women's. Flexibility from the workplace was non-existent especially as they refused to factor in the labour women often have to perform elsewhere," she said. Now Rattan is happily employed in a company with a supportive work environment, though the career growth has taken a step back.

The relentless pace of modern work can be a recipe for burnout. Chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of cynicism towards work are hallmarks of this condition, significantly affecting productivity and overall well-being. Studies have shown a rise in burnout rates across various sectors in India.

A 2023 McKinsey Health Institute survey on employees' well-being revealed that India topped the rank in workplace burnout, with employees reporting the highest rates of burnout symptoms at 59%. Another survey by ADP Research Institute from the same year found about 76% of Indian workers indicate that stress has a negative impact on work performance with 49% expressing similar sentiments about their mental health.

The reasons to act go beyond improving health -- and that is where sabbaticals come in. Brittany Hunt, Therapist, and Head of Quality, Innovation and Research Department at Clinic Les Alpes, Switzerland, said sabbaticals allow for proper rest and recovery away from the ‘daily grind’.

Long work hours can result in burnout, diminished job satisfaction, and a strained work-life equilibrium. (Source: Pixabay)

"The absence of routine work stressors can lead to decreased levels of burnout and increased mental resilience. A sabbatical also provides an opportunity for personal growth, self-reflection, and exploration of new interests, which can contribute to a greater sense of life satisfaction and well-being. Research indicates that periods of disengagement from work-related stress can enhance creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall mental health," she said in an interaction with indianexpress.com.

That is not to say anxieties might not plague you when you're on your break. Dr Sneha Rooh, palliative physician and art-based therapist in Delhi, explained that these anxieties may differ from person to person, depending on where in the social ladder they are and what their life's circumstances are. "Anxieties of a 28-year-old man can be around social expectations of being the provider or the impact of the sabbatical in his potential to get married while that of a woman of the same age might be losing the place and practice she has worked hard to get to after facing micro-aggressions and sexism at work and the fear of having to start at a lower pay and position."

A study conducted by market research firm Milieu Insight surveyed 6,000 workers, aged 25 and above, across six Southeast Asian countries. The survey explored reasons for taking career breaks. The top three reasons cited were health and wellness issues (17%) and job transitions (17%), highlighting the importance of both physical and professional well-being in career decisions. Additionally, travel (13%), raising children (12%), and caring for family members (10%) were identified as significant factors influencing career breaks.

Anusha Singh, 40-year-old lawyer turned corporate communications expert, wanted to give herself some time and space after having worked without a break since she was in her early twenties. "Do I always want to be looking out for the next thing? Never enjoying the moment I'm in?" These are the questions I was asking myself at the time," explained Singh. "The idea wasn't to come out on the other side as some enlightened superhero. We always want to measure ourselves and everything we do by some arbitrary indicator of usefulness, which becomes counterproductive when you've taken a sabbatical to reduce stress, not add onto it."

A still from Summer Strike, a Korean show about a woman moving to a village to do nothing.

What can be helpful is giving your sabbatical an agenda, as Kahini Calculttawalla found herself doing -- in the form of analysing whether she wanted to work in the same field still.

As a therapist, Hunt advised ensuring that sabbaticals are structured and planned - "What is the purpose of a sabbatical, what do you hope to achieve during it, and how do you hope to be different upon your return? Engaging in mindfulness practices and seeking support from peers or a mental health professional can also mitigate ongoing anxieties and the dips in mood that may result from them."

Are you still employable after a sabbatical?

A 24-year-old MBA aspirant (who wanted to remain anonymous) chose to take a career break of a year and a half -- to help her sister with her new-born niece. "Family is important to me, especially as we lost our parents when we were young." Now that she wants to come back to full-time work, she's having a hard time with recruiters. "They hold it against you like it's the biggest crime of your life."

To circumvent such a situation, Yashvir Dalaya, 37-year-old marketing professional, recommended taking sabbaticals while keeping the security of your job, considering the current job market. If you’re well-established at your company, the chances of you getting the extended leave becomes easier to negotiate.

But is it really such a losing game for employers -- especially when employees are plagued with an ocean of burnout? Investing in employee well-being can yield significant financial returns. A joint 2023 study by McKinsey Health Institute and Business in the Community suggested employee disengagement and turnover, more prevalent among workers with lower well-being, could cost a typical S&P mid-sized company a staggering $228 million to $355 million annually in lost productivity. This underscores the critical financial impact of prioritising employee well-being.

When we asked Anjali Sinha, Head of People - India at software company Publicis Sapient if companies are becoming more open to employees taking career breaks, she said perceptions are indeed evolving.

"People understand that life unfolds for everyone, presenting opportunities and challenges such as starting a family, caregiving for elderly relatives, or simply the need to recharge and rejuvenate. Increasingly, sabbaticals are being recognized as invaluable experiences that contribute significantly to personal growth and overall well-being. They offer individuals the chance to explore new horizons, pursue passions, or simply take a step back for self-reflection and renewal," Sinha explained in an interaction with indianexpress.com. 

Here's what to consider when going back to work (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Sridhar Laxman, executive coach and founder, Lucid Minds Coaching, agreed, adding that as value systems change, long-held beliefs, such as those about employment or breaks, are revisited and shifted, with the stigma around not being employed, too, also being reduced.

This is further proven with projects like the Return Flight initiative at Boeing, a gender-agnostic programme that supports both men and women to join the workforce after a hiatus.

Laxman and Sinha supplied some tips to ensure your career keeps thriving even after a break:

Focus on the return, not the reason for leaving. When discussing your sabbatical with HR or hiring managers, emphasise the skills you gained or enhanced during your time off. Highlight any proactive steps you took to stay updated on industry trends.

Be open and authentic. While you don't need to go into unnecessary detail, expressing your reason for taking a sabbatical (maternity leave, education, personal growth) with honesty can build trust with potential employers.

Sharpen your skills. The world of work is constantly evolving. Invest in skill development, especially in high-demand areas like AI, machine learning, or data science if your role is technical. Even in non-technical fields, keeping up with relevant tools and technologies can give you an edge.

Network while away. Stay connected with colleagues and industry professionals to keep yourself informed and relevant.

Plan your re-entry. Returning to work is like restarting an engine. Refresh your skills and reach out to colleagues and industry contacts before rejoining the workforce. Prioritising self-care will also help manage stress during your transition.

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2024-04-17T12:23:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd