Career Clinic: Would a sabbatical be a bad idea?

If this is offered at my place, you won't see me for dust. What a brilliant opportunity to do something interesting and fun with your life, instead of being stuck in an office doing tedious legal shiznitz. Jump at it.

US Associate -05 Mar 2009 | 04:30

To US Associate - all of friends who work for US firms are unhappy. Is it really that bad?And to the poster - yes, take a break. More to life than work.

Anonymous -05 Mar 2009 | 09:54

Assuming you have the financial resources to be able to take a sabbatical, I would make the most of this opportunity. Travel, volunteer, spend time with your family. Of course the idea is that in a year or so your firm will welcome you back with open arms... but don't be too surprised if things have worsened and you have been forgotten about.

Scotpot -05 Mar 2009 | 12:19

While you can successfully "step out" to "step up" your career, make certain you understand the differences between a sabbatical and one long, long vacation. The "Sabbatical Plan" involves what you will do, why it's important to you, goals and how they contribute to your work/life. There is broad agreement that the time spent on "the plan" is critical to an over-the-top experience. Go for it! You'll be part of a trend and one that is growing even in these tough economic times.

Barbara Pagano, Partner, yourSABBATICAL -05 Mar 2009 | 13:14

The first two responses to this query suggest that their authors aren't too keen on the job in the first place. Begs the question, why are you doing it? Yes, there's more to life than work, but at least get a job doing something you vaguely enjoy and leave the "tedious legal shiznit" to those of us who genuinely do enjoy it.

Anon. -05 Mar 2009 | 13:18

Go for the sabbatical. When things get busy again, as they undoubtedly will, you may not have such a good opportunity to have a block of time to yourself for a very long time. Make sure your position is guaranteed for when you come back, and enjoy it!

Anon -05 Mar 2009 | 15:11

Who wouldn't love a sabbatical? We all crave free time, right? Maybe time is the new money. Sure, it would be 'better' to plan a big break and have more job security. But that may never happen. So go for it. Take this unexpected gift of and get rest, hang with family and friends, clean out clutter, and bake bread.

Kirk Horsted -05 Mar 2009 | 17:16

If you take a sabbatical, make it relevant to (a) your future career options; and (b) to the firm's future career options for you: they may even be prepared to cover the cost of say an MA, MBA, Phd or further specialisation into a niche area or change of practice area or sometime out to work on developing networks and contacts overseas perhaps by doing some kind of volunteering work. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, etc, etc.

ANON -05 Mar 2009 | 19:19

You dont say your PQE level - irrespective of what you do during this time away from the firm and the assumption you want to go back to your job you need to ensure that during your absence you keep abreast of developments in your field. An out of touch lawyer is of less value ; irrespective if a sabbatical is taken or not.

Anonymous -05 Mar 2009 | 19:37

I took what became a sabbatical between 1996 and 1999 to join my husband in the Czech Republic.It has cost me partnership, but that's not everything is it ? I say, follow your dream but if you do want to go back to the Law then the following will be crucial:-1. Stay in touch with the firm in a formal way. I did so and I had an opportunity 3 years running to work for them as a Locum solicitor. This was great for keeping my skills up to date (I do Comm Prop). You never know what may be round the corner ; if you are in touch with the firm then they will know where you are and opportunities may arise.2. Keep up to date with developments in your area of specialisation. You are lucky now as there are some good websites. I did not have access to Internet in the 1990s but I read the Law Society's Gazette and the Estates Gazette every week, which is more than I managed when I was in practice. The EG subscription was expensive but money well spent. It kept me interested and connected with the Property world.3. You might need to keep up your Practising Certificate ; expensive but essential if you do end up with Locum opportunities. Worth enquiring what reductions the Law Society give to solicitors not earning a regular salary. I got a reduction on my fees for the years I was abroad but I had to give them a declaration of my earnings. Then I persuaded my firm to pay !4. The Law Society can advise on CPD requirements if you are not working or are not doing very much work as a solicitor. 5. Really think about what you do during your sabbatical will do towards your personal development. And what value it will add to an employer.I'd do it all again and you are very lucky to be offered the opportunity.Good luck !

high street solicitor -06 Mar 2009 | 09:57

I'm not sure of this one. I don't think I agree with the majority saying that a sabbatical is a good thing. Yes it is for a senior lawyer, perhaps a partner who has done 15 years at a firm. For more junior lawyers, isn't it a ploy by the firm? Kind of makes it easier for them in that they don't have to select any candidates, rather the individuals put a noose around their own necks! Sorry to sound cynical but we live in desperate times. What if when you are due to come back your firm says sorry but we can't take you back on because the economic situation is no better, in fact it's worse. M

May -06 Mar 2009 | 15:12

I'm on a sabbatical at the moment. The sort you don't come back from.

M Cunliffe -06 Mar 2009 | 15:54

I'm loving my sabbatical. I wake up around 10, watch some Jeremy Kyle, spend my time in the gym with another mate who's also on sabbatical, have some lunch and then beers in the afternoon. When will you ever get the chance to do that again?

A Keen Kiwi -06 Mar 2009 | 16:01

I agree with the posters who say a sabbatical is not always a good thing. I would liken it to taking time off for maternity leave: if you are not a partner already it can be career suicide. Not only do you run the risk of being seen as not interested in your career, it is also a major battle trying to win back "your" clients and your roles and responsibilities within the firm from your ambitious colleagues when you return, finding yourself leapfrogged by more junior lawyers.

Cynical Cynthia -06 Mar 2009 | 16:08

Kiwi, sounds like time well spent, I don't think. To the poster of the query, rather than take a sabbatical, why not try and hold onto your job for the time being? You can always take that sabbatical when the firm realises that you are not really interested in your work, and so your objectives are not aligned with those of the firm, and kick you out the door.

Anon. -07 Mar 2009 | 05:25

A partner in a top Scots law firm many years ago gave me the following advice: "loyalty counts for nothing". That then is a level playing field which equals 'choice'. For the employer it is business efficacy - for you, it is a positive or negative opportunity depending on whether you view the opportunity as a glass half full or a glass half empty. The company could just make you redundant!!!

ANON -16 Mar 2009 | 20:22