Last updated · 26 March 2024
Sabbaticals
Wouldn't it be nice to have extra time away to do the things you really enjoy? Well, you've got it.
Significa's sabbatical benefit is designed to give you extended time away from work, so you can return to Significa not only refreshed, but also excited about new ideas and ready to tackle new challenges.
How it works.
Our sabbatical benefit gives you the opportunity to take non-paid time off after every three years of tenure. You can take six consecutive weeks of unpaid leave.
If you haven't taken up the opportunity of your sabbatical by the time you become eligible for the next sabbatical (6 years), you'll only be eligible for the latter sabbatical. In other words, sabbaticals don't pile up.
Scheduling your sabbatical.
Whilst you are free to choose your Holidays and time-off as you wish, as per our Maximum freedom, maximum responsibility motto, sabbaticals need to work a little differently.
Such a length of time off will undoubtedly affect the business and the project you are allocated to. It will need planning so we can work on your replacement, should one be needed.
Our request for you is simple: align with your Project Manager (P.M.) and (team) Manager before submitting your sabbatical request. They will work with you to prepare everything for your absence.
They may deny or ask you to postpone your sabbatical should your request infringe a couple of issues:
- If it seriously puts the business or a project at risk.
- If your performance has been unsatisfactory.
In any other scenario, we'll see you in a few weeks! Enjoy.
A few questions you may have.
I've already been at Significa for four years. Can I take my first sabbatical now and another in two years?
No. If you've been with us for more than three years, for which we thank you, you can take your first sabbatical when you wish. However, for your second sabbatical, you'll have to wait for three more years after your first one (that would be after seven years of tenure).
Within the last five years, I've been on parental leave/taken an extended medical leave. Can I take a sabbatical?
We don't want to put you off seeking medical support or having babies to the detriment of qualifying for a sabbatical! However, to be eligible for the sabbatical, you must have a full year of continuous work, excluding Holidays and time-off, before issuing another sabbatical request.
I want to take longer, is that ok?
If your Manager is cool with it, so are we.
Can I add my Holidays and time-off days to extend my sabbatical?
We don't see why not. However, your Holidays and time-off must be used ahead of your sabbatical time. In other words, if you choose to take holidays right after your sabbatical, it may be the only situation we may reject any kind of time off.