If you’re considering implementing a sabbatical program, or revitalizing an existing program, we can help. The following services and materials are available on an a la carte or package basis.
Advisory Services & Support
- Knowledge Transfer – During this half-day session, we’ll show you top sabbatical trends, best practices, who’s doing what, cultural challenges, information on how to get buy-in, design considerations and critical milestones.
- Creating Upper Management Buy-In – Based on results of the yourSABBATICAL Senior Audit (see below), we’ll determine your critical challenges and what you need to have in place for a successful sabbatical strategy.
- Stakeholder Facilitation – Using the yourSABBATICAL Employee Feedback Process, we’ll facilitate employee round tables to collect input and educate about career sabbatical opportunities.
- Design Advisement – Get advice on choosing the best terms for your organization, such as paid/unpaid/partially paid, number of weeks, eligibility, etc. Creating value in the work coverage process for the team members left behind (i.e., talent development, succession planning, etc.).
- Communications & Messaging – Get assistance with announcing, successfully rolling out, and leveraging a sabbatical program within your company.
Assessment, Evaluation & Planning
- Senior Audit – This valuable exercise identifies senior management attitudes and beliefs about sabbaticals and gauges buy-in from your organization’s influencers, determining the strength level of: cultural challenges; knowledge / education needed; likely participation from senior ranks; concerns of leadership; etc.
- Employee Feedback Resource –This tool includes a facilitator guide that will assist you in conducting round tables and a company-wide survey to help your leadership realize potential obstacles to a successful sabbatical program (i.e. fear of leaving, client turf, etc.) and program design elements that will be most valued by employees. It also helps with prioritizing feedback and ways to align employee feedback with management goals.
- Discovery Manual – This workbook guides individuals through the process of choosing, planning, and leveraging the best sabbatical experience. It includes a section on how to write a sabbatical plan. Businesses use sabbatical plans to ensure structure and successful outcomes for the sabbatical-goer as well as the company. This resource is particularly valuable for integrating a sabbatical program with leadership and talent development initiatives. Includes a template and samples of sabbatical plans.
- Work Coverage Manual – This tool guides your company in structuring a robust talent exchange that increases agility and uncovers new ways of working. It outlines the different methods that can be used, such as a work coverage bid process and developing a “sabbatical orbit”. The manual also includes a work audit to help individuals break down their work and identify what needs to be covered, criteria for selecting the best work coverage individual/team, scripts for approaching work coverage partners, a “before-you-leave” checklist, agendas for pre-departure and after-return meeting with the work coverage team, and a re-entry plan that outlines what a sabbatical-goer should do during his/her first three days after returning.
- Policy Writing Guide – Outlines the critical components of a sabbatical policy and gives sample policies. Also includes employee agreements.
- Impact Survey – This tool helps you determine the ROI of your sabbatical program. It includes a survey for: sabbatical-goer’s experience and back-on-the-job impact; value of the work coverage experience by those who covered the work; impact of the sabbatical program on the company’s culture (i.e. loyalty, engagement, etc.).
We engaged yourSABBATICAL for our sabbatical program, because they have a lot of experience in leadership development. They brought top talent to the table and allowed us to stay focused on our core business and strategies. They’re a top-notch firm to work with.” – Michael Murdoch, CEO of AppRiver