Taking a career break

Savedotmoney

Hello all,

I've tried to search the internet for career break advice but can't find any.

Has anyone taken a career break before and they have a sample letter that they have sent to their employer? I'm struggling what to write.

Here's what I have come up with so far...

I've stated the date then...


The reason I wish to do this to travel abroad for personal development. My aim is to travel around the world and visit as many countries as I can. I believe I will learn a lot about each place I visit and take something forward with me. I want to learn more about the places I travel to as I have never travelled previously.
I believe this would be a benefit to my employment and personal life. I have enjoyed the start to my career and look forward to coming back to continue afterwards.


Hope you can come up with something additional for me.



Thank you! :j

maskerade

I think the first thing you need to do is talk to your manager, do they have any idea you want to do this? Face to face is more personal than a letter and will allow you to sound out their views on it.

I don't think they're under any obligation to give you a break other than your contractual holidays. You may have to resign then reapply when you are finished travelling.

AP007

OP are you not just going to resgin?

You are not allowed a career break by law other than holiday leave.

agrinnall

Yes, you really need to find out if there is a career break policy first. If there isn't then speak to your manager about it but don't get your hopes up. If there is then raise it informally at first and take it from there, unless the policy specifies how you should apply.

tomtontom

Your reasons are pretty poor. You need to explain how travelling will benefit you and your employer. You can learn a lot about places from the Internet, how does that translate to self improvement?

Savedotmoney

AP007 wrote: »

OP are you not just going to resgin?

You are not allowed a career break by law other than holiday leave.

Yes I am.

agrinnall wrote: »

Yes, you really need to find out if there is a career break policy first. If there isn't then speak to your manager about it but don't get your hopes up. If there is then raise it informally at first and take it from there, unless the policy specifies how you should apply.

My career break has already been allowed so my thread isn't about whether my employer will allow it or not. I just need to put something together in a letter as a formal way of saying I want to go on a career break and my reasons for it to go on record.

tomtontom wrote: »

Your reasons are pretty poor. You need to explain how travelling will benefit you and your employer. You can learn a lot about places from the Internet, how does that translate to self improvement?

Yes my reasons current write-up isn't great, that's strangely why I created this thread.

I need a summary of why travelling will benefit me and my employer, not specific examples really.

AP007

OP if its been agreed and how lucky you are I am sure what you have said in person would be good enough to use as the letter

Never ever heard of a career break

Savedotmoney

AP007 wrote: »

OP if its been agreed and how lucky you are I am sure what you have said in person would be good enough to use as the letter

Never ever heard of a career break

No unfortunately I need to submit my career break covering letter because the organisation I work for need my application for it on record. They can't just say yes it's fine without a reason listed on their reasons for allowing a career break.

maskerade

Put something about gaining transferable skills like self-management, resilience, building relationships...

AP007

Savedotmoney wrote: »

No unfortunately I need to submit my career break covering letter because the organisation I work for need my application for it on record. They can't just say yes it's fine without a reason listed on their reasons for allowing a career break.

But you have told them and talked about the reasons surely?

So the letter should be the same

Savedotmoney

AP007 wrote: »

But you have told them and talked about the reasons surely?

So the letter should be the same

Yes we talked briefly but the letter needs to be expanded.