Have you ever wished you could learn a new language? Or volunteer to build community shelters in a developing country? Or earn an advanced credential within your professional discipline? We’re all striving to become the best versions of ourselves, but what happens when there aren’t enough hours in the day for self-improvement?
Well, here’s an idea, bold as it may sound: you could always ask for time off work. With modern companies supporting employees’ personal growth more than ever before, now’s the time to ask. Many employers are open to giving individual days, entire weeks, and even multi-month sabbaticals to help their employees pursue personal development and to help prevent burnout.
However, don’t run off and chat up your boss just yet. Your goal is to make this request in a way that ensures success, and like most things in life, a little planning will definitely pay off. So, here’s how to ask for time off work for personal development in three simple steps.
1. Come up with a realistic plan
Start by looking over your employment contract to see if your employer already has a policy in place for personal development leave, and possibly even sabbaticals. (No employment contract? Then check with the HR Department to see whether such a policy exists.) Use this information to guide your request. Remember, while we all dream of extended paid time off from work, you need to be realistic. If you’re planning a short break of one or two days, you just might be able to secure paid time off if you can convince your employer that you’ll return as a much more valuable staff member. In other words, you want to “sell” your time off as being valuable to both you and your organization.
Keep in mind that even unpaid time off will cost your boss. They may need to hire temporary staff or train an existing employee to cover your duties. So, in anticipation of your boss’s concerns, be prepared to offer suggestions for how you can help the company prepare for your absence. Offer to train your temporary replacement, or to show your cubicle mate the ins and outs of your job.
Furthermore, if possible, be flexible on your dates and length of time off. Overall, you want to appear cooperative, collaborative, and – this one’s super important – concerned for the well-being of the organization during your absence.
2. Explain why your employer needs to upskill you
A shocking 43% of businesses are experiencing a skills gap, and this figure is clearly on the rise. Technology is evolving faster than many businesses can keep up with, and when organizations don’t prioritise retraining or upskilling their staff, they find themselves falling behind, floundering, and ultimately failing.
You can use this to your advantage by pitching your personal development break as an opportunity to upskill. Look over your job description and highlight for your boss the parts you’ll improve upon, thanks to your personal development plans. You can also suggest new duties you’ll be capable of taking on when you return. Or how about offering to teach your co-workers the newfound skills you acquired during your sabbatical? Show your employer that when they give you time off, they’re investing not only in you personally, but also in their business, by extension.
3. Pitch your request in writing and in person
For the sake of formality, and to satisfy the possible requirements of your company’s HR Department, put your request for time off in writing. Include the dates, if known, of your leave, the reason for the request, the benefits to the business, and suggestions for how your absence can be covered. However, don’t send your written request until after you’ve also arranged an in-person meeting with your boss – it’s vital that the two of you have a face-to-face discussion or video chat, so that they’re not caught unawares. Prior to the meeting, practice your pitch until it’s succinct and enthusiastic, and make sure you’re prepared to address the most likely questions your boss may have about your plan. (And once again, don’t be shy about explaining how time off from work will reap benefits to the company – not just to yourself.)
Bonus tip: there’s nothing wrong with bringing some notes or supporting documents with you into the meeting (think: brochures or literature about destinations or learning programs), to help you pitch your request. Visuals can help bolster your position.
Remember that your boss might need time to think it over, or to discuss your request with senior managers or HR. Prepare yourself for multiple meetings as you iron out the details and be sure to remain positive throughout the process. It’s a research-proven fact that others – bosses included – are more likely to help us if we’re friendly and likable.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
You might be feeling a little nervous about asking for extended time off, but if you don’t ask for it, you may never get it. The worst that can happen is your boss says no, right? So now you know the answer. In that case, you can go back to the drawing board, formulate a different “angle of attack,” and then ask again next year. Or maybe it’s time to consider your next career move – perhaps to another company where time off for personal development is clearly encouraged in the workplace environment.
But…what if your boss says yes? It could happen. So, be brave and start planning the work break you deserve, and who knows? You may be reading my next article from an archaeological dig in Peru, or a Kiswahili language class in Kenya!
That’s it for today. Thanks for being a reader/follower, and I’ll see you next time.