Sabbaticals may be an incentive to retain skilled staff
Sabbaticals could act as an incentive to retain skilled staff during the economic downturn, as one employment expert notes they can be used to cut costs while ensuring highly-qualified personnel are on hand once business picks up again.Katy Nicholson, researcher for the Keep Britain Working campaign, notes a career break "can mean you return refreshed to your normal workplace and get involved again with new energy".
The incentive might be popular with employees too, who enjoy their jobs but would like the opportunity to take a once in-a-lifetime trip or study a new skill.
Santander revealed earlier this month there has been a 14-fold rise in the number of education and employment sabbaticals since the 1970s, with 1.2 million Britons choosing the option since the beginning of the recession.
For employers, it means the right people are on hand to take the business forward once demand improves, but wages should be less of a drain during difficult trading conditions.
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