What are sabbaticals and why should you consider taking one?

What are sabbaticals?

Sabbaticals are extended periods of leave that are typically granted to employees for the purpose of rest, rejuvenation, or personal development. Sabbaticals might be taken for a number of reasons, such as to pursue academic goals, to travel, or to take a break from work to focus on personal growth.

Sabbaticals may be given as part of an employment contract or company benefits scheme and may also vary depending on the length of service at a company. It may be granted regularly, such as every seven years. In other cases, sabbaticals may be negotiated individually between the employee and employer.

During a sabbatical, the employee is typically not required to perform any work-related duties or responsibilities. Sabbaticals are often seen as a way to retain talented employees and prevent burnout, as they provide a break from the day-to-day stresses of work.

20 companies offering sabbatical leave in 2026

1. Airbus: Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2020, it generated revenues of €49.9 billion and employed a workforce of around 150,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. 
2. Tombola: Tombola is Britain's biggest online bingo site where players can enjoy unique and award-winning games. 
3. TUI Group: A leading global travel and leisure experience company counting 1200 travel agencies, around 130 planes, over 400 hotels, 16 cruise liners, various digital platforms for leisure activities, and over 60,000 brilliant colleagues worldwide.
4. Mondelēz International: Home to some of the most iconic brands including Cadbury, Maynard’s Bassetts, Philadelphia and Ritz, Mondelez’s vast portfolio of products are loved and trusted by millions of households across the UK.
5. Northern: Northern connect tens of thousands of people in the North of England to work, leisure, education and more every day.
6. Anglian Water Services:  Anglian Water Services are building a more resilient future. By 2030, they will have prepared two new reservoirs for construction, and their extended strategic pipeline will ensure the region stays resilient to drought. Every step they take is focused on improving the lives of the people they serve. 
7. ASOS: Founded in 2000, ASOS has 20m active customers in over 200 markets. They bring fashion lovers around the world the best and most relevant fashion through our unique own brands including ASOS DESIGN, ARRANGE, COLLUSION, Topshop, and Topman, styled with the most exciting products from local and global partner brands.
8. Vodafone: Vodafone is a leading international Telco serving 300 million customers. Their strong belief is that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us.
9. Microsoft UK: Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.
10. Impression: A digital marketing agency with a hybrid-working approach that aims to empower people to work from the environment that best suits them.
11. Atom Bank: The UK’s first app-based bank to help people make the most of their savings, apply for a mortgage or take out a loan for your business, we provide simple, secure products that can make a difference.
12. By Miles:A car insurance company on a mission to make driving fairer.
13. Mars: Mars is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products and a provider of animal care services.
14. SilverRail Technologies: A technology company building the digital infrastructure for global rail with a vision to change the way people move by making rail easy for travellers to buy and for agencies and operators to sell.
15. Emerald Publishing: Emerald Publishing is one of the world's leading digital-first publishers, commissioning, curating and showcasing research that can bring about real change.
16. Client Earth: Blip develops software, mobile apps, web platforms and retail applications for betting and gaming.
17. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: Battersea offer love and expert care to dogs and cats who need it by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at their centres, and by sharing knowledge and resources with rescue organisations around the world.
18. CoppaFeel: The first youth-focused breast health awareness charity
19. Redgate: Redgate’s solutions help organisations reliably solve the complex challenges of database management across the DevOps lifecycle on any database, anywhere.
20. Circle: An all-in-one communications platform with a team of around 120 (and growing!) based in countries all over the world. The Circle team adopts a fully remote approach and meets twice per year.

What are the benefits of sabbaticals?

As employees, we often prioritise our professional lives at the expense of our personal growth and fulfillment. But what if there was a way to press pause, step back, and invest in ourselves? Enter the sabbatical – a powerful tool for rejuvenation, self-discovery, and unlocking your full potential.

1. Recharge and prevent burnout

One of the most significant benefits of taking a sabbatical is the opportunity to recharge your batteries and prevent burnout. By stepping away from the daily demands and stressors of work, you can give yourself the time and space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with your passions and purpose. This period of rejuvenation can help you return to work with renewed energy, focus, and motivation. 

2. Broaden your perspective

Sabbaticals often involve travel, new experiences, and exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking. By immersing yourself in new environments and engaging with diverse people and ideas, you can broaden your perspective and gain valuable insights that can inform your personal and professional growth. This can help you approach challenges and opportunities with fresh eyes and innovative solutions. 

3. Personal and professional growth

A sabbatical is a unique opportunity to invest in your personal and professional growth. Whether you choose to pursue further education, develop new skills, or explore a passion project, this dedicated time for learning and development can help you expand your knowledge, capabilities, and confidence. By returning to work with new skills and insights, you can position yourself for greater success and fulfilment in your career. 📈💡

4. Spark creativity and innovation

Stepping outside your routine and comfort zone can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and innovation. By exposing yourself to new experiences, ideas, and challenges, you can stimulate your mind and tap into new sources of inspiration. This can lead to breakthrough ideas, fresh approaches to problem-solving, and a renewed sense of purpose and passion in your work. 

5. Relook at your work-life balance

Taking a sabbatical can help you reassess your priorities and create a more sustainable work-life balance. By stepping away from work and focusing on personal growth and well-being, you can gain clarity on what truly matters to you and make intentional choices about how to allocate your time and energy. This renewed sense of balance and purpose can lead to greater happiness, fulfilment, and overall quality of life. 

How to find a job that offers sabbatical leave

Finding a job that offers sabbatical leave is simple with Flexa! Our platform offers comprehensive search filters to help you discover the perfect role and explore potential employers. We've simplified the process into five simple steps to kickstart your search:

• Start by creating a Flexa profile to stay updated on all available hybrid job opportunities, and even get recommendations straight to your inbox!
• Explore our sabbatical jobs page to see which companies are currently hiring for hybrid roles.
• When you find a role you're interested in, simply click on it to read the full job description and hit 'apply now' when you're ready to submit your application.
• If you're not ready to apply just yet, you can save the job to your profile for later.

Additionally, you can browse companies offering sabbatical leave. Check out their live feeds to get a glimpse of their work environment, and follow them to receive notifications when they're hiring.