In today's complex workforce, there are two dueling groups around the issue of benefits: employers and employees. While benefits of companies differ, sabbaticals continue to remain a growing benefit both employers and employees seem to agree on. Perception shows that while both employers and employees agree on sabbaticals, however, the issues of duration, benefits, and pay are ones that frequently arise. Sabbaticals provide the relief that employee's need while providing employers lower labor costs during rough economic times. The sacrifice comes when employers allow employees go on sabbaticals, with the possibility of never returning. In this paper, we will recognize the problems associated with sabbaticals and how they can positively affect a company.
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Sabbaticals: A Symbiotic Relationship.
The root word and history behind sabbatical springs its beginnings back in Biblical times. The Latin word Sabbath is the actual root word of sabbatical, which simply means "a day of rest" (The American Heritage Dictionary, 2002). Furthermore, Looby, 2003, p. 1 stated:.
"The Sabbath was the consecration of one day of the weekly period to God as the Author of the universe and of time. The day thus being the Lord's, it is required that man [or woman] should abstain from working for his [or her] own ends and interests, since by working he [or she] would appropriate the day to himself [or herself], and that he [or she] should devote his [or her] activity to God by special acts of positive worship". .
The scripture also stated that Jesus took time off during his fasting for forty days and forty nights in the desert. In the years that followed, most religious leaders have done sabbaticals. Therefore even before academia frequently started using the word, priests and religious leaders had already been at the forefront. Sabbaticals gave these leaders valuable time to sharpen their skills, attend to personal endeavors, and gave individuals a chance to concentrate on matters other than their job.