Sabbaticals

Tips for taking a sabbatical

Firstly - talk with your employer! We ask employers to support us by giving you permission and a percentage of your usual pay for a duration of up to a year volunteering with Article 25. This is a big ask, but it gives back a huge amount to the participant company - it helps staff development, it benefits your company and shows your managments leadership in corporate social responsibitlity.

"It makes employees proud to be part of a firm that contributes like this" David Adair, Price Waterhouse Coopers

"Our research demonstrates that [a busines that is] giving something back unlocks potential in other areas", Faye Bewley, COO, Best Companies Ltd

"Employees needn't leave their passion for engaging in good deeds at the office door", Scott Keiller, Axa Insurance

Government help – Public-sector workers who take over seven months sabbaticals overseas with British Volunteer Agencies Liaison Group registered organisations are eligible for government payments into their pensions for up to two years.

Employer help – In the current climate employers are more willing for their staff to take sabbaticals at reduced rates of pay. BT is offering a year on sabbatical for a 75% pay cut. Some companies will match funds you have raised yourself.

Fundraising – justgiving.com can be used to raise money through friends and family. Seek a travel grant, some charitable funds offer grants to individuals for their sabbaticals  - Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (0207 584 9315 wcmt.com), Rotary(01789 765 411 ribi.org) and Lions Club(0845 833 9502) offer travel grants.

Suspend mortgage payments – you can arrange a year off your mortgage payments, the interest still builds up but it can be paid back later. (Interest builds at a rate of about £6000 in one year for a £135,000 mortgage)

Cancel your tax payments – if you are not earning you don’t have to pay council tax or National Insurance. If you are abroad you won’t need the television licence or car tax. You can even apply for an income-tax rebate.

Rent your house – it is difficult to get a mortgage at the moment, so selling is difficult, more people are renting houses.

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