Planning for a sabbatical has taken about a year - it's not something to rush, for sure....

But, tomorrow the sabbatical starts with a flight to Brussels. I will be using these posts to help create an article for my undergraduate alma mater, to be published in the fall. The topic will be "Do Sabbaticals Really Help" (or, are they just another way to take a vacation)?

Based on the International Labor Organization in Geneva and the HR Magazine (based in London), about 22% of the global workforce works “excessive hours” (defined as 48+/week). In the USA, over 18% of employees work “excessive” hours. Taking time off and working shorter hours leads to improved health, fewer accidents, and increased productivity.

A sabbatical is a unique benefit to an exhausted workforce as some benefits no longer generate employee engagement (e.g., free private health care, athletic facilities, clubs).

At least one UK study found very low correlation between profit-related pay and employee engagement (2-3%); but found improved engagement for firms offering sabbaticals and approximately 25% of UK companies offer sabbaticals.

Hmmm. The Brits may have something we could learn from!!

So, a few interesting facts about sabbaticals....

Sabbaticals have both Biblical and Pagan (Lunar) Origins with roots to the Hebrew day/year of rest (7th day and 7th year). The rest days according to phases of the moon (Pagan origin) and God’s decision to rest (on the 7th day). There is also a social equity origin to sabbaticals (rest on the 7th day for relief of underprivileged) and also in the history of debt and Slave Relief (social equity based on the 7th year practice of releasing slaves from service).

The institutional history of sabbaticals is as follows: Harvard began offering them first (in 1880) as Harvard does everything first.... Then Cornell (1885), Wellesley (1886), Brown (1891), Amherst (1898), and later for Stanford (1988) and UC-Berkeley (1999). The origin in academe was to permit study, research and “other forms of improvement” for faculty, but also for “increased capacity for usefulness to the university…”

The modern day application is for many reasons, including to provide a cyclical vs. linear method of life and career planning. A great resource is Radical Sabbaticals (www.fastcompany.com).

More to come!!!!

Although planning a mini-sabbatical and "break" between jobs is fun and exicting, don't discount the challenges of a transition to a new endeavor.... Saying goodbye to colleagues is not as easy as some may think. Take time to thank those who matter the most and let them know how much you value them in your life as you transition to the sabbatical and next adventure....

The sabbatical is planned! Cities are selected! Can't wait to travel, bike and write!

Brussels, Bruge, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Spa, Prague, Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez, Provence, Burgundy, Paris, Versailles, Normandy, Caen, Dublin and Edinbourg!

Can't wait to see what the world (and a few weeks of rest) have to offer!

Planning takes time....

In Austin, Texas (Mount Bonnell) now planning the sabbatical - it takes a lot more effort to plan "away time" than I expected. For those thinking about planning a sabbatical remember to plan far ahead for logistics, finances, emergency contacts, bill payments, etc. There are a couple of great books that will help you do it: Power Sabbatical: The Break That Makes The Difference (Levine) and Time Off From Work: Using Sabbaticals to Enhance Your Life While Keeping Your Career on Track (Rogak). Both offer great tips for planning. I have been planning this sabbatical since graduate school at UPenn (when I completed a project on sabbaticals as management tools). Enjoy your reading (and planning)!

Launching the blog....

Today i designed my blogspot and will start posting on July 1 - the start of my sabbatical! Stay tuned.