13/04/2011

Gap Years and Career Breaks: Employers now more open to the idea

Take a gap year or career break! British employers are now becoming more open to the notion of their workers taking career breaks during the course of their employment. Previously the notion of the “career break” was put in the more unglamorous terms of “maternity leave”, yet now the career break is open to both men and women during their working lives. And what is more, it is becoming understood not only by the person taking the break, but also by the employer.

Research conducted recently by the Fatherhood Institute showed that employers are learning to understand the fact that their employees lead varied lifestyles outside of the office.

Adrienne Burgess, head of research at the institute, said: “Employers are becoming more tolerant of the idea that people will take time off for various reasons … to go around the world or something…To keep the brightest and the best you need to be flexible.”

The recruitment process is a lot more expensive than accepting someone wants to take a break for a year unpaid, before returning to their desk a lot more developed and worldly person.

Taking a career break means that you can offer your employer skills that you would not be able to develop whilst trapped in the world of the office or the day to day routine – all whilst broadening your horizons and seeing the world.

The benefits of taking a career break speak volumes. Career breaks can promote skills such as:
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Team work
- Negotiation
- Understanding
- Intercultural experience
- Language
- facing challenges

These are extremely desirable in the workplace, and ones that are often developed through expensive courses.

Oyster Worldwide specialises in responsible travel, aimed at people of all ages and interests. If you would like to take a career break but don’t know where to start, why not have a look at their website for more inspiration- from working with monkeys in South Africa, to saving turtles in Costa Rica, from caring for impoverished orphans in Romania to teaching English in Nepal, there are plenty of things to get involved in on a worthwhile career break.


Browse Gap Year 365 Travel Opportunities:
- Career Break
- Gap Year Volunteer
- Gap Year Jobs
- Gap Year Summer Camp Jobs
- Gap Year TEFL Teaching
- Gap Year Tours

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Gap Year Work, Volunteer & Teaching Programmes Abroad