Sabbatical Leave - Optional Policy

You may copy and paste this sample employee handbook policy text to help create your own policy documents. A licensed attorney in your area should review final drafts.

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About this Employee Handbook Policy

This is an optional policy that may be modified to meet the needs of your organization. If you permit a sabbatical leave, the following types of information are generally helpful to include:

- Eligibility.

- Procedures for application and approval.

- Appropriate activities and requirements.

- Length of leave and financial arrangements

SAMPLE POLICY:
SABBATICAL LEAVE

(Organization name) understands and appreciates the benefit of having employees enhance their personal and professional effectiveness and productiveness in a way that also helps further (organization name’s) mission and purpose. Therefore, (organization name) allows approved, eligible employees to take sabbatical leave, in accordance with this policy.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a sabbatical leave, an employee must have been employed for at least (six years) of full-time consecutive service at (organization name).

Procedures for Application and Approval

Eligible employees who wish to apply for sabbatical leave must complete an application provided by (organization name) that describes why sabbatical leave is being sought. It must also clearly state objectives for the sabbatical, anticipated activities during the sabbatical, and a description of the expected outcome for the sabbatical. Applications will be reviewed by (human resources / the business manager / other). The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate applications: (insert criteria desired by your organization. To provide flexibility for your organization, it may be wise to say that organizational and staffing needs will be considered when evaluating sabbatical requests).

Appropriate Activities and Requirements

The following types of activities are generally considered appropriate for sabbatical leaves: research, teaching, service, work, and study. Please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive. Some other types of activities may be deemed acceptable.

Also, any intellectual property an employee creates while on sabbatical leave shall be deemed (name of organization’s) property. Additionally, within (insert number) days after returning from sabbatical leave, the employee shall submit a report to (human resources / the business manager) that will describe the employee’s experience. It will also offer evidence of the activities conducted, the benefits realized, and how (organization name) can benefit from this sabbatical leave.

Length of Leave and Financial Arrangements

Sabbatical leave is generally granted for a period of (insert number of weeks or months acceptable to your organization) at full pay or (insert a higher number of weeks or months that is acceptable to your organization) at 50% of pay. Employees will continue receiving benefits during the period of approved sabbatical leave, and employees will continue having pre-tax deductions made from their pay during the leave period.

Posted 2022
This is a sample handbook policy only. Your organization is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. Accordingly, this document should not be used or adopted by your organization without first being reviewed and approved by a licensed attorney in your area. Brotherhood Mutual assumes no liability in preparation and distribution of this sample document.