Taking an extended break

Question

Do companies ever allow corporate workers (I'm a SWE) to take extended time off without pay for non-disability reasons and guarantee that the employee will still have their job once returning? For example, say I wanted to take a year off to complete an MS degree without worrying about work. Or even if I wanted to try working as park ranger or something for 6 months to get away from the computer). I understand that companies have different policies on many things, but I'm not sure if any allow extended time off without pay.

Spartan · Accepted Answer

Some companies have sabbatical programs. Typically they require you to have been at the company for some time. Best to check with HR / your manager. Smaller companies may also be more flexible here.

BigDudu77 · Answer

Some will some won’t. You should talk to your manager about it.

Joverjover · Answer

This is called an unpaid sabbatical. You typically see this in academia for tenured professors. In corporate, this is just unpaid leave and usually up to management. But I don’t think there are any protections unless you are definitely c-suite.

Meezer · Answer

It depends on the company, but it also depends on FMLA if you take time to take care of family and arrange it with HR before you go out. FMLA is still unpaid but it does give a sliver of security that they’ll give you a job when the FMLA period is done. I think you can take up to 12 weeks FMLA per the federal government.

ProductMan · Answer

The only people I’ve ever seen get this time of leniency have been at the C-Suite or partner level

Taking an extended break

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