Pic: IMAGESBAZAAR

The modern-day professional isn't reluctant to bid adieu to a secure job, in an endeavour to pursue other interests. And organisations are more than willing to grant such employees mid-career sabbaticals

Today, a small but growing number of professionals are opting out of employment to follow their personal/professional interests and are not hesitant to bid a temporary farewell to their professional lives, in a quest to achieve newer goals. More often than not, such breaks from mundane jobs result in increased competencies and expose one to newer avenues. Also, they even turn out to be an added advantage to one's career. "Nowadays, people take sabbaticals for several reasons. They could be varied - family issues, to gain added experience working with an NGO, to pursue a hobby, etc. However, employees need to be clear about the pros and cons before taking the plunge. If the goals of the individual and company are aligned with each other and if the former returns with added value and skills, the company would not mind granting a mid-career break," informs E Balaji, MD and CEO, Ma Foi Randstad.
   
"Academically, I have completed BA hons in hotel management and BBA. As I grew up the corporate ladder, I realised that I needed more than just the basics in my field to excel. As I had harboured an interest in the field of sales and marketing, I decided to take a mid-career break and pursue a post graduation in advertising and marketing from the University of Leeds. Although it was a big deal having quit the job, where I was happy and satisfied, the excitement of taking a study break made up for the lack of it. I realise now after coming back and handling both the sales and marketing aspects of the job, that an advanced degree definitely gives you a new perspective on old things," chuckles Ibriz Moonim, deputy sales manager, Ista Pune.
   
However, Ajit Menon, executive director - organisational development, Mudra Group is of the opinion that taking a midcareer sabbatical has both positive and negative effects on the employee depending on which stage of the career he/she chooses to take the sabbatical and for what reason. "Unlike the early times where employment was not a big risk, employees would take a year or two as sabbatical, pursue their passion and come back more charged and with a clearer perspective to life. Today, the times are changing rapidly. Competition is tough and delivery demands are high. Taking a sabbatical to upgrade one's knowledge and skills is a positive move, but taking one to get re-energised may just accelerate your retirement plans," adds Menon.
   
While mid-career sabbaticals prove to be a corporate springboard, there are also certain challenges associated with it. Kanchana TK, executive director, Vantage Insurance Brokers & Risk Advisors Pvt. Ltd. opines, "While such breaks in the middle of one's career catapult him/her into a higher sphere, the only challenge lies in the duration of the break. Businesses could turn their heads and one may find that his/her skill-sets are no longer valued. Also, if an employee goes back to his/her previous organisation, there are chances that the role might become redundant."
   
Sabbaticals are usually taken with the purpose of introspecting one's professional and personal goals. During this period, employees direct their attention to an endeavour that is either related or linked to one's scope of work or an aspect that encourages a completely fresh line of thought. Experts do confirm that under most circumstances, the employee gains in terms of skills that translate to improved productivity. 'Bring her Back' is a priority hiring initiative from IBM focused on bringing their women employees back to work. The initiative encourages these women who have been out of work for a while to pursue their careers once again with the company. They go through several customised, professional development and leadership training programmes that provide them not only technical skills, but also additional soft ones that are required to come back to the workplace. "We are open to hiring women who go on mid-career sabbaticals for various reasons. We believe these women form a large potential talent pool and we encourage them to join back whenever they wish to," notes Jyothsna Hirode, India diversity team, HR integrated services team (IST), IBM India.

Therefore, taking a mid-career break may have all kinds of repercussions, but the positive ones certainly outshine the negative.

Returning form a mid-career sabbatical? Here's why companies are eager to re-recruit:

• A not-so-frequently tapped source of talent;
• A qualified workforce with prior work experience is always welcome;
• It offset the effects of attrition;
• They bring in varied skill-sets.

- Sheetal Srivastava

The writer can be reached at sheetal.srivastava@timesgroup.com