Millennials turn to sabbaticals to combat workplace burnout

NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — In recent years, the concept of the sabbatical has shifted from an academic luxury to a mainstream workforce trend, particularly among millennials seeking to mitigate job burnout and enhance their personal well-being.
In fact, 60% of American millennials are willing to take a 20% pay cut for improved work-life balance, signaling a departure from the traditional hustle culture in the American workforce.
Meanwhile, 65% of millennials cited greater work-life balance and better personal well-being as their reasons for taking their next job according to 2022 data released by Gallup.
The rise of sabbaticals among millennials
To combat workplace stress, millennials are increasingly taking extended time off through sabbaticals – extended periods of leave to rest or pursue other interests.
“The pandemic helped people see what was already there – overload and burnout at work,” DJ DiDonna, co-founder of The Sabbatical Project, told Forbes.
The Sabbatical Project is a company that conducts research on sabbaticals. DiDonna notes that while some employees use sabbaticals to reassess their career paths and opt for resignation, 80% of them return to their roles rejuvenated.
Personal transformations through extended breaks
Kamilah Martin’s journey into sabbatical leave exemplifies the transformative impact of such breaks. Awarded a fellowship in 2020, she spent time in a Vermont yurt with fellow environmentalists, an experience delayed by the pandemic but ultimately life-changing.
“During my Vermont yurt experience, I claimed—for the first time ever—that I was a photographer,” Martin said.
“I used photos from that experience to pitch myself for an opportunity with the Wilderness Society and got my first paid, traveling nature photography gig. I now try and get at least one nature photography gig each year.”
That sabbatical kicked off a transition for Martin to leave full-time work and launch her own consulting business, Katalyst.
For some, a sabbatical offers a chance to prioritize family, travel, or accomplish goals like writing a book or starting a business. For others, sabbaticals are simply a chance to reset.
Imani Ellis, CEO of The Creative Collective, crafted her “Creative Residency” sabbatical inspired by author James Baldwin’s time in Paris. This period of introspection allowed her to explore playfulness and clarity away from the pressures of her leadership role.
“What I learned most during my Creative Residency is that we all need dedicated time to be alone with our thoughts so that we can revisit what we really desire for our lives,” Ellis said.
Sabbaticals not a cure-all for workplace burnout
Despite the positives, sabbaticals are not a cure-all for workplace burnout, as even a month may not be enough to recover.
DiDonna, having interviewed over 250 people about their sabbatical experiences, observed that “it takes way longer than people think to truly disconnect.”
He added, “Oftentimes two months is just starting to have folks feel able to disengage and be present.”
This sentiment is echoed by Martin, who, despite seeing the benefits of sabbaticals, recognizes them as part of a larger strategy needed to address chronic workplace stress.
As millennials continue to redefine the boundaries of work and personal life, sabbaticals stand out as a powerful tool to rediscover one’s passions and reset emotionally and mentally.
‘Hush-cations’: Another trend to alleviate stress
Aside from sabbaticals, “hush vacation” or “hush-cation,” is also a growing trend, where employees take off days without officially reporting them as vacation days.
“People are often bending the rules by continuing to work remotely as agreed upon, but not from the remote location their boss expects them to be,” Smriti Joshi, chief psychologist with Wysa in Boston, told Fox News Digital.
“This phenomenon, not feasible prior to the onset of fully remote jobs, is presenting a new challenge for employers and is also quite telling of what employees are feeling they need right now.”