How to prepare for a travel sabbatical

Have you ever wanted to shake off the shackles of the workaday world, hop on a plane and escape to the sun (or cold, if you’re inclined)? What might have been seen as a pipe dream in previous decades is now more attainable than ever. More and more people and their employers are considering the idea of sabbatical.This guide teaches about sabbaticals and how to prepare for one properly.

What is a sabbatical?

A sabbatical is a form of leave. It involves an employer agreeing to the employee taking a protracted period off work. Usually, this is between a month and a year. The employer then promises that their job will be there when they return. Sabbaticals can be paid but are much more likely to be unpaid.

According to a survey by Oppodo, 62% of people in the UK would take a sabbatical if it were an option. The availability of sabbaticals is less common, however. A 2018 survey by SHRM found that only 15% of employers offered one, and just 5% offered a paid leave.

How to prepare for a travel sabbatical

If you’re lucky enough to work for an employer that offers sabbaticals, you must plan it properly to have the best experience.

Know the law

While no specific law says that an employer must grant a sabbatical, you can request flexible working. This is possible if you have worked at the organisation for at least 26 weeks. You also must not have made any other flexible working requests in the previous 12 months. Your employer should consider the request in line with Acas guidelines.

Decide your length of travel

Before you ask your employer whether you can have a sabbatical, you need to work out how long you want your travel experience to be. One month, three months, a year? To know what’s right for you, think about what you want to do during your travels. Consider where you want to visit. And think about how much money you have to finance yourself and whether that fits your plans.

Think about transport

Once you know where you want to go and how long, think about how you will get to these places. If you are travelling for a year, you won’t be able to book all your transport before you go. Booking transport online is relatively easy, and, using a fast VPN, you can search for cheaper tickets while on the go. By the way, a VPN could bring you even more benefits, more security and privacy to your online life, and cheaper flights or hotel rooms. 

Going on a sabbatical can be a fantastic experience, but you must plan it properly before you head off. Where would you go on sabbatical and how would you prepare? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.