Step Out. Step Up.
Companies are implementing increasingly innovative sabbatical programs, and they’re reaping real benefits. These are some of their stories that we think are way cool.
Rolled out in 2007 along with a personal sabbatical program, General Mills’ “Innovation Sabbatical” is only offered to members of the company’s “Innovation, Technology and Quality” organization, which is comprised of employees in roles related to research and development, nutrition, quality and engineering. After 7 years of service, these employees may apply for an Innovation [...]
In June 2009, Deloitte reported that the company had received seven applications, one approved, and lots of interest. That was a nice beginning for what was to come. So far, 50 employees have gone on sabbatical!
In June, professional services giant Deloitte rolled out two sabbatical offerings for its US employees:
Four weeks of unpaid and unrestricted time off. Offered to any employee who has given at least six months of continuous service and has good performance ratings.
Three to six months of time off to pursue career development or volunteer experiences. Offered to high [...]
Although begun with the sole purpose of thanking and giving back to hard-working, loyal managers, the 11-year-old sabbatical
program at Hotel Equities has become a “big performance motivator” and talent developer.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with the hotel management and consulting company’s director of operations, Tamara Markham, to discuss Atlanta-based Hotel Equities’ sabbatical [...]
Since 1992, a small construction company in St. Louis has offered its 250 employees even more than a sabbatical. After every five years of service, ARCO Construction Company’s employees get a 4-week paid break and a $3500 travel bonus.
During their sabbaticals, employees are not allowed to have any contact with the company (their BlackBerries are [...]
Instead of only one sabbatical program, why not two? General Mills offers its employees:
A personal sabbatical. After seven years of service, employees who have at least a “satisfactory” performance rating can apply to take an unpaid leave of 4-12 weeks to go and do whatever they need or desire to do. Individuals must apply at [...]
The Sabbatical Mindset