What if you did a month or more work and still get paid for it? We weren’t talking about holiday days, instead paid Sabbatical.
Originally, sabbaticals were most commonly given to professors, but they are now beginning to reach other fields and industries as employers look for new ways to maintain talent and protect burnout. According to Society for Human Resources Management, 6% of companies offered paid sabbaticals in 2024, up from the previous pandemic.
Here are some ideas about paid sabbaticals, how to seek it, and how to spend time.
What is a paid sabbatical and how does it work?
Sabbatical is often a long-term leave of absence that employees can take after working in a company for five to ten years. Unlike standard vacation times that can last a week or two, sabbaticals are usually long and designed to give employees a meaningful break.
By providing employees with longer hours of recharging, pursuing goals, or accepting educational opportunities, without sacrificing their pay, more companies are embracing paid sabbaticals.
According to Robert Kaskel, vice president of People at the online catering platform Ezcater, after five years of service, his company offers employees what is called sabbatical or “Ezbreak.” The break includes four weeks of fully paid leave.
“We sweeten our transactions by offering a $5,000 cash payment for use in the way we choose.
These companies show that sabbaticals are not just a dream advantage, but a reality in some workplaces. Below are four companies offering paid sabbaticals as part of their benefits package:
- Adobe After five years of employment, it offers four to six weeks of sabbatical leave every five years.
- PayPal Provides sabbatical to full-time and part-time employees who have completed 5 years of continuous qualification services from the date of employment.
- Deloitte We offer two types of sabbatical. The first is an unpaid month of leave that can be used for any reason. Alternatively, employees can choose 3-6 months sabbatical for career development at 40% of their salary.
- General Mills We provide 4-12 weeks to employees who have completed their company for 7 years.
How to request a sabbatical (even if you don’t have a company policy)
If your company does not have a formal sabbatical policy, consider proposing a proposal, especially if you have been with the company for several years and have a strong performance record.
When writing your suggestions, make sure to include the following important sections:
- Sabbatical reasons: Include a clear “why” in your suggestions. Why are you demanding sabbaticals and why now? By framing your requests with intent and purpose, you can strengthen your case and help decision makers see value in your time.
- Your Timeline: Make clear outlines when you want to have your sabbatical and how long you want to take. Choose a time frame that minimizes disruption to your team or business operations.
- Company profit: Emphasise how your time will benefit your team or organization for the long term. For example, you will be back with a fresh perspective, improved mental health, or new skills.
How to create sabbatical numbers both personal and professionally
Before taking sabbaticals, it can be helpful to be intentional about how you spend your time, especially if the company hasn’t outlined it yet. Having a clear vision will help you make your break feel like a purposeful and meaningful use of time.
Kaskel from Ezcater has yet to reach the five-year mark needed to win Ezbreak, but he already knows how to use it.
“I’m a huge baseball fan,” he said. “I want to travel with my kids, eat lots of delicious food and watch a baseball game.”
His colleagues use sabbatical in every way. He recalled one colleague using her sabbatical to travel around Europe with her daughter and husband. Another chose to stay home and spend quality time with his family and made a focused effort to teach his son how to cook.
Whether you’re planning a big adventure or planning a quiet stay, here are four ideas to help you make the most of your vacation.
Pursue that creative goal you’ve put off
Sabbatical can be a great time to pursue the project you’ve always wanted. Whether it’s writing a book or creating a portfolio of your photos, pursuing what you’re really excited about can be vibrant and fulfilling. You can also open new doors either personally or professionally.
Hurry around the world
Traveling is another great way to spend your sabbatical. If you have a destination you want to explore all the time, taking long vacations will give you freedom at your own pace.
Make the world a better place
Spending sabatic volunteering and giving back can provide a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether you choose to mentor young professionals, support local nonprofits, or take part in volunteering overseas projects, it can be meaningful and energising to use your time to contribute to the cause of concern.
Some companies may even build sabbaticals around this idea. For example, Patagonia offers paid internship style sabbaticals that allow employees to work with environmental organizations to combine meaningful impacts at the time.
Improve your skills
Sabbatical is a great opportunity to invest in your personal or professional growth. Whether you enroll in a course, attend a workshop or earn a certification, continuous learning can help you get back to work with fresh ideas and new skills.
Conclusion
“From a yoga retreat in Austin to hiking in the Azores with my brother, the holidays were fantastic. The exercise made that difference, and I want to keep it for the long term,” Ezcater’s former chief technology officer, Erin Genere, wrote about her sabbatical on LinkedIn.
No matter how you spend your sabbatical, whether you are traveling or pursuing your project completely, the key is to make it intentional. A well-stop sabbatical helps you get back to work, feeling recharged and more consistent with what’s most important to you, both personally and professionally.
What is USA Today Top Workplaces 2025?
If you’re looking for a job that’s big profitable like paid sabbaticals, we can help. Each year, USA Today Top Workplaces is a collaboration between Energage and USA Today, ranking US organizations that excel at creating positive work environments for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winner.
In 2025, over 1,500 companies were recognized as the best workplaces. Check out our overall rankings. You can also get more insight into workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.
