Sabbatical Opportunities

I have been so blessed with a stable group of professional people surrounding me for many years. These ladies and gentlemen (mostly ladies) have given so much of the time and energy that part of their overall compensation package is to receive a one month - time off sabbatical. What is that most say, thinking that word is synonymous with University level professors but here in my office it means full pay, get out of the office with no responsibility to do anything other than work. Rest, relax, recuperate, have fun, travel, whatever, just do it.

Each full time employee receives this benefit at their sixth year anniversary and unless crazy unknown circumstance prevent it, they are to take their sabbatical sometime during that following year. Cool, most people say and it is. Try it sometime and you will come back refreshed, invigorated and ready to tackle the next mountain but it doesn't just happen. Let me share a snapshot of what really happens in an office.

First there is the planning and celebration and then the departure and most importantly the return. The planning and shifting of work is a challenge but welcome by all as they too will have a turn at this disappearing benefit. So accepting a little extra work load is expected and welcomed by all. Hard to balance for sure and usually well done by all. The celebration is one that is easy and yet hard to do as much as everyone congratulates and wishes the person well, of course they will be missed and no one wants to interrupt the peace so checking in or calling is not encouraged. Bye Bye out the door with great cheers and in some cases tears and then the return. We like to schedule a brown bag lunch or a pot luck so that everyone can settle in and hear of all the adventures and experiences.

I'd like to congratulate our Katie Elsberry, a conference planner, an association manager and a technician on our team as Katie is one of those exceptional gals who does it all, always and without fail. We all are missing you and are waiting for you to walk through the door again but in the mean time....if you are ready, don't call, just enjoy whatever it is you are doing.