I am thinking about taking one, I want to enjoy some time and my health before I get old. Also, I need some time to arrange a number of things. It would be a “leave wihtout reason”, according to the law.

Can a company refuse the request? If they were to, what would be the options?

I am looking forward to hearing your experience.

Thanks!

​

Edit 1: People downvoting my question, don’t you want me to take a break? Why? XD

Edit 2: It looks like you cannot take a sabbatical without a reason

” **ATTENTION** !  À partir du 01.04.2017, en application de la CCT n° 103ter modifiant le CCT n° 103, le crédit-temps sans motif est supprimé.  Toutefois, il continue à s’appliquer à toutes les premières demandes et à toutes les demandes de prolongation pour lesquelles **l’employeur a été averti, par écrit, avant le 01.04.2017**.  ”

Source: [https://www.onem.be/fr/documentation/feuille-info/e61](https://www.onem.be/fr/documentation/feuille-info/e61)

5 comments

  1. > Can a company refuse the request?

    Unless what you’re asking for is some kind of legally protected leave, like for example parental leave, of course they can refuse.

    > If they were to, what would be the options?

    You can quit and when you return find either a new job or apply to your old place of work in the hopes they want you back.

  2. You could just quit your job and after your sabbatical try apply for a new job again.

    Most firms would understandably not be happy to have an employee go away for an undetermined (or long determined) amount of time. They need to hire a replacement, so why would they want to take you back if they already have a replacement?

  3. My manager took a one month and a half off sabbatical to focus on her mental health and arrange a few personal things. I think it really depends on how long you plan to leave and your companied policy. Maybe talk to someone from HR and see what options they give you and then decide

  4. I asked for a 6 month leave to be out of the rat race for a while and travel. This was (obviously) denied. I don’t think any employer would accept this from the go.

    I then came back to them telling them that this is a must for me and I would consider quitting over this as it was important to me personally. They came back to me with a 3 month leave option, so I handed in my resignation, and my 6 months were granted.

    This obviously won’t always work, know your worth, with the current job market squeeze, a lot of companies in a lot of sectors are struggling to get talent. In the end, it might take them a lot more time to end up with somebody less talented anyway

    Also, best decision I ever made, I can highly recommend this to everyone.

  5. Sure you can apply for a sabatical without reason, but it won’t be without any benefits.

    My wife and I did it, but we were both self-employed, which adds to the flexibility. It’s good. I’d recommend it. But I wouldn’t recommend ending up in a pandemic 1/4th in the yourney.

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