Millhouse

I'm allowed to take a 2 year sabbatical at any time. Loads of people do it to either try another job/career/ start up and then just come back if it doesn't work out. No harm done. More often than not, it actually results in a career acceleration.

jam25mack

I think our lot would laugh in our faces if we asked for a 2yr sabbatical. A month of two possibly but anymore than that I can't see it. For me I think it would be even harder as I am quite specialist (and on long term projects) so to cover me they would either have to recruit or bring someone in from the UK or US which would obviously cost them.

I do like the idea though. I'd love to disappear of to South East Asia, spend a month in a kick boxing / fitness camp and then spend then travel around a bit. Can't see it happening until I retire though. Hopefully that's sooner rather than later. This whole work thing is a right pain in the hole.

scrubbedexpat141

I put that down to 'professional pride' depending on your chosen role.

I've worked some notice, half notice, full notice and been walked out the door mid resignation. I also quit one job by just never going back.

The last resort, having done it all, for me is to just leave on bad terms. It's easy with college / uni type casual / part time jobs but when in your career to just leave or to demand an early release never seems worthwhile.

We put pressure on people to negotiate early release all the time, if they can - great, if they can't, nevermind.

Some people have leave accrued and take that to reduce notice, but I always think that's daft as what you don't take a lot of companies will pay you for.

Anyway - I think if you're on a 2-3 month notice period, you can probably reduce it in most jobs. I'm on 2 for crying out loud...It's ridiculous.

mission

bloody noora!
there is no way my company would agree to that.....even when I want to take my holidays, I can't take off more than 2 weeks at any one time due to varies reporting deadlines and there is no one else to cover me when I am away.

DXBtoDOH

I'd be really interested in knowing the type of firm Millhouse works for.

My company is great to its employees but a two year sabbatical? Impossible. Not even a year. I could probably manage to negotiate a month's unpaid leave but more than that is dicey water. It wouldn't be looked upon well.

Millhouse

One of the most employee friendly companies on earth - and not local.

Brains1983

I don't think you really needed to add the last part. Most of us worked it out...

DXBtoDOH

McKinsey?

You won't answer, of course, but I am intrigued.

mission

so you telling us....your company would agree to let you go off for 2 years and STILL keep your job if and when you return?

Bahtatboy

You're thinking too laterally.

Millhouse

yup. That's how it works.

I know it's hard to believe - I just qualified for it this year, it doesn't go to everyone. It's so utterly ridiculous.

mission

but surely this is a privilege and hence they would have to agree, rather than a given and they would have no choice but to agree?

Millhouse

Well, obviously, I can't just walk in one Sunday and say, "I'm off to start my own business"

you would agree an exit date, and re-entry arrangement etc. You may not go back to exact job just they would certainly try to make sure that's the case. Maybe same job, different region, or different job, same region. Everything, including the pension accruals etc, just gets frozen.

I know of two in Dubai that did it. One came back (and got promoted very quickly), the other has only been out a year or so. One went to a client, the other went to "almost" a competitor. I know someone else in a different region currently setting up her own business.

I'm considering doing it in a year or so, if plans go the right way.

scrubbedexpat141

I'm pretty sure we agreed a business selling used, still damp underwear wasn't going to work well here?

Millhouse

I tweek the business model a bit. It's now going to be only ladies' undies.