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Author of the post here. When I submitted my resignation last month quite a few Googlers told me they were considering doing something similar. I heard through

Author of the post here. When I submitted my resignation last month quite a few Googlers told me they were considering doing something similar. I heard through the grapevine that Facebook is also experiencing somewhat of a mass exodus. And there seems to be quite a bit of zeitgeist around the idea of taking some time off to enjoy life more. I figured I would share my motivations, fears, and plans to help others decide whether or not to go for a sabbatical also. Regardless of the current zeitgeist this sabbatical is also a bet that taking work breaks will actually improve my long-term work success.

yboris 5y ago
Thank you for sharing! I requested my job give me 2 months off (unpaid) so I can move into a new house and get everything set up, but was told "just use your vacation days". Really frustrating (I need vacation days to go to weddings and see family). I intend to take many months off when I eventually switch companies (however many years from now that is).
- kaycebasques 5y ago
  > I requested my job give me 2 months off (unpaid) so I can move into a new house and get everything set up (Sharing how things worked at Google for your reference and in case anyone else is in a similar position) I believe Google has decent support for unpaid leave. I never used it so I don't know for sure. But I think you could request unpaid leave as needed. They also had a sabbatical program up to 3 months. I believe it was essentially the same thing as unpaid leave, but it perhaps sent the message that you were working on a specific project. You're still considered a Google employee though so if you went off and built the next big thing, Google could assert ownership over it. The key thing with any of the unpaid leave is that you have to be on good terms with your team because you're essentially still occupying 1 of their headcount while you're gone. I also learned that Australia has a countrywide (?) sabbatical policy for long-term workers. I believe it was 10 years. I.e. after 10 years, you are entitled to a long paid leave (3 months?). > I intend to take many months off when I eventually switch companies (however many years from now that is). When I joined Google in 2015 I told them I needed a few months to wrap up my current job and then a month to travel around Europe. They weren't thrilled about it but they let me do it.
sakopov 5y ago
It's now or never. When you have family and kids sabbaticals are pretty hard to come by. 7 years ago I quit my job and went hiking across Spain. I went back did the same hike 4 years ago after taking 2 months off from my job. Both times have been very healing experiences and have completely changed my outlook on life and made mess less anxious about life changes.
- kaycebasques 5y ago
  > Both times have been very healing experiences and have completely changed my outlook on life and made [me] less anxious about life changes. That's definitely what I'm aiming for :D How about the career aspect? You were able to get a new job easily after the sabbatical? What type of work do you do?
  - BrandoElFollito 5y ago
    In France a sabbatical is part of the Labour Law, you get back to your position or an equivalent one. This helps to make the step.

yboris 5y ago

Thank you for sharing! I requested my job give me 2 months off (unpaid) so I can move into a new house and get everything set up, but was told "just use your vacation days". Really frustrating (I need vacation days to go to weddings and see family). I intend to take many months off when I eventually switch companies (however many years from now that is).

kaycebasques 5y ago
> I requested my job give me 2 months off (unpaid) so I can move into a new house and get everything set up (Sharing how things worked at Google for your reference and in case anyone else is in a similar position) I believe Google has decent support for unpaid leave. I never used it so I don't know for sure. But I think you could request unpaid leave as needed. They also had a sabbatical program up to 3 months. I believe it was essentially the same thing as unpaid leave, but it perhaps sent the message that you were working on a specific project. You're still considered a Google employee though so if you went off and built the next big thing, Google could assert ownership over it. The key thing with any of the unpaid leave is that you have to be on good terms with your team because you're essentially still occupying 1 of their headcount while you're gone. I also learned that Australia has a countrywide (?) sabbatical policy for long-term workers. I believe it was 10 years. I.e. after 10 years, you are entitled to a long paid leave (3 months?). > I intend to take many months off when I eventually switch companies (however many years from now that is). When I joined Google in 2015 I told them I needed a few months to wrap up my current job and then a month to travel around Europe. They weren't thrilled about it but they let me do it.

sakopov 5y ago

It's now or never. When you have family and kids sabbaticals are pretty hard to come by. 7 years ago I quit my job and went hiking across Spain. I went back did the same hike 4 years ago after taking 2 months off from my job. Both times have been very healing experiences and have completely changed my outlook on life and made mess less anxious about life changes.

kaycebasques 5y ago
> Both times have been very healing experiences and have completely changed my outlook on life and made [me] less anxious about life changes. That's definitely what I'm aiming for :D How about the career aspect? You were able to get a new job easily after the sabbatical? What type of work do you do?
- BrandoElFollito 5y ago
  In France a sabbatical is part of the Labour Law, you get back to your position or an equivalent one. This helps to make the step.