Career Break

Meaning & Definition

A Career break is an employee’s intention for them to pursue personal, family, health-related, educational, or travel opportunities. Career breaks can be either short-term or long-term depending on whether the employee intends to return to work with their current employer or enter the general workforce after completing their plans.

Important aspects of Career Break

• Improve a healthy balance between work and life.
• Assist employees to prioritize personal obligations without having to exit their jobs permanently.
• Enhance long-term retention and loyalty of employees.
• Promote a more inclusive and flexible culture within the workplace.
• Empower employees to return to the workplace with renewed energy and creativity from their experiences.

Statutory and Policy Alignment

• There is no specific statute with which compliance could be associated with this term.
• Internal HR policies govern leave, sabbatical , and unpaid time away.
• These terms define length of leave, who is eligible, how benefits are impacted, and what conditions must be met to return to work at company.
• Written documentation will eliminate confusion for employee after they have exited and returned to work at company.