Negotiating a Sabbatical

[mschatz]

Hello -

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who was able to negotiate a sabbatical from their job for 6-12 months. I plan on leaving in just under a year, but it would be ideal if I could negotiate it as a sabbatical rather just quitting.

While my current profession may not be the ideal, it isn't bad in many ways, and I would like to have at least the option of returning to it.

Any suggestions? Stories?

Best,
Martin

[sadu]

In the past I have left several jobs, and have been offered the opportunity to return.

The key is to leave on good terms, and keep the door open for further communication.

"good terms" is difficult to define. Broadly, it means leaving in a fashion that doesn't cost the owner a fortune. Leaving on good terms involves giving as much notice as possible - aim for 2-3 months+ so the boss doesn't need to drop everything and search for a replacement immediately. It means making sure you have all loose ends tied up. It's very easy to leave a job and leave the difficult problems or grumpy customers for the next guy, but this will only harbour resentment.

You want to make it nice and easy for the next guy to step in and take over. Consider taking a day to write a good outline of what you do, including things you need to know about customers. Eg "Simon can be slow to pay his bills so don't deliver any work until the invoice is paid". That sort of thing is gold for the next employee and can save them hours of frustration (and saves your boss money).

[mschatz]

Sadu - That is some really good advice. Thank you!

[kamakiri]

After a year of freedom, what makes you think you would want to go back?

I have found that whenever I have left for an extended period (Junior year in HS in Japan, a few years later six months at a Japanese college, a few months in the USSR, and currently in my second decade in Japan), that in my travels I have grown and changed so much that it is nearly impossible to go back. I can go back my local and the same guys are sitting there having a pint. The conversations about sports could have easily been ported from 1999. Most friends are doing the same thing they were doing a decade ago.

The LD road is usually one way.

[mschatz]

After a year of freedom, what makes you think you would want to go back?

I have found that whenever I have left for an extended period (Junior year in HS in Japan, a few years later six months at a Japanese college, a few months in the USSR, and currently in my second decade in Japan), that in my travels I have grown and changed so much that it is nearly impossible to go back. I can go back my local and the same guys are sitting there having a pint. The conversations about sports could have easily been ported from 1999. Most friends are doing the same thing they were doing a decade ago.

The LD road is usually one way.

You are probably right that I would decide not to go back after a year. But I would prefer to have the choice.

[TimW]

The LD road is usually one way.

I found that out after I left the US for Japan back in 1989 for a year's stint teaching English (my GF at the time got a writing gig for one of the Economist publications). I'd studied International Management in grad school, and apart from a vacation in Australia and a summer exchange program in Mexico, had never lived abroad. So I went.

One of the best things I ever did.

But coming back to the states a year later (to renew my work visa and a vacation) was odd. All my friends were in the exact same situation, doing the same stuff. Worse, I had never heard of New Kids on the Block, and though my friends were bashing them, they looked at me weird.

While on vacation there, had the opportunity to watch "Tokyo Pop" with my best friend. He asked if Japan was like that. To me, it wasn't a movie about Japan.

Anyone who'se lived abroad will understand that. Same with the movie "Lost in Translation", which my wife hated (she's never lived abroad), but I loved.

I know this doesn't answer your question, really, but "you can never go home again" really does seem to apply. At least it did for me.

[mschatz]

I found that out after I left the US for Japan back in 1989 for a year's stint teaching English (my GF at the time got a writing gig for one of the Economist publications). I'd studied International Management in grad school, and apart from a vacation in Australia and a summer exchange program in Mexico, had never lived abroad. So I went.

One of the best things I ever did.

But coming back to the states a year later (to renew my work visa and a vacation) was odd. All my friends were in the exact same situation, doing the same stuff. Worse, I had never heard of New Kids on the Block, and though my friends were bashing them, they looked at me weird.

While on vacation there, had the opportunity to watch "Tokyo Pop" with my best friend. He asked if Japan was like that. To me, it wasn't a movie about Japan.

Anyone who'se lived abroad will understand that. Same with the movie "Lost in Translation", which my wife hated (she's never lived abroad), but I loved.

I know this doesn't answer your question, really, but "you can never go home again" really does seem to apply. At least it did for me.

Thanks for your comments. I have lived abroad before (mainland China), so I am familiar with the uneasy feeling that comes back with you, especially when seeing friends and family doing the same things they were doing before they left.

Negotiating a sabbatical would allow me the option of returning to a decent, well-paying job, IF I CHOOSE or have the need. If I return with the knowledge that I couldnt go back to doing what I was doing before, that's all well and good too.

Best,
Martin

[kamakiri]

I didn't ask what kind of work you did, and I suppose that is kind of central to getting a sabbatical. Clearly there are industries where it just is not feasible. I personally cringe at the idea for myself, but that is me.

Even if they don't offer a sabbatical, leaving 'the right way' is the best option, and by that I mean keeping yourself available for the next person who fills your shoes, leaving detailed notes on what you were working on and work flow, and in general making the process as painless as possible for your employer. Basically what Sadu said as well.

There is a reason why people say you can do 10 nice things and no one notices but the moment you do something bad, everyone notices. People will remember the bad a lot longer than they remember the good things you did, so keep that in mind through the whole process.