Take the rest of the year off!

JILL Bradbury, a PA in Victoria for John Lewis, planned her sabbatical carefully. It was a six-month paid break, her reward for 25 years' service.

"I wanted to do some self-development so I booked several courses at an adult education centre near my home in Sidcup," she says.

Bradbury, PA to the director of buying for furnishing accessories, decided on an aromatherapy course: a half-day a week for three months.

"It was wonderful," she says. "We learned all about the different oils and combinations. I still have my set of oils and it's a useful skill to have."

Dance classes and a two-hour weekly course on history were among Bradbury's other choices.

"We did music from shows, all the routines. It was great fun. I still try to exercise as much as I can."

In between classes she indulged herself and her family with more elaborate meals than usual, in addition to shopping and seeing non- working friends.

"All my courses started at 10am so I didn't have to rush, and I certainly didn't miss my usual 6am work start."

Bradbury briefed her temp well before she left so when she returned at the end of her break she felt "refreshed and revitalised, looking forward to my job". She adds: "I was glad I'd planned it carefully. It would be quite easy to fritter away your time."

All employees at St Luke's advertising agency in Euston get a month's paid leave when they have completed five years' service. Jan Martin, 30, who works in the payroll and finance section, is packing her suncream now. She says: "I've planned an overland trip to Africa in the New Year, visiting game reserves, which I've always longed to do.

"I realised there was a sabbatical when I joined but five years seemed a long time away. Now it's finally come round I'm really excited." A wildlife enthusiast, she will be taking photos and keeping a journal.

Asda offers three months' " Beniddorm leave" to all secretaries aged 50 and over. Although unpaid, it's still a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take an extended holiday with a guaranteed job to come back to.

"Taking a career break is quite different from the time off you have when you're job-hunting," says Joyce Morgan, a cash office secretary for Asda.

"There's no anxiety there and you can really enjoy the time. I chose a long, relaxing holiday travelling in Tunisia with my sister.

I even looked forward to going back to the office."

Even if there is no paid sabbatical for you, you could apply for a career break. It could be used for career refreshment and courses as well as parenting. Check with your human resources department to find out, or negotiate with your boss.

TIP:

Don't forget that bosses dislike change, and won't want to lose a good secretary.

Excellent PAs are hard to find so play a part in finding a good temp.

Convince your boss

PICK a discussion time when your boss is at his or her most approachable.

Raise the subject of a sabbatical as a possibility rather than a right. Point to your value, the skills and knowledge you bring, and mention one or two courses you will include on your break, or the travel plans which will stretch your horizons.

Stress that you will brief and help select a temp. Sabbatical requests by older PAs, say 50-plus, who have given long service are most likely to be successful. But five years of good work could earn a break.

TIP:

How do you introduce the topic of a long break?

Start by referring to your current job and the satisfaction you get from it. Point out the years you have been with the company and that a brief sabbatical would refresh you and enable you to travel or add extra skills.

Allow your boss time to think about it.

Super sabbaticals

An ILA (Individual Learning Account) card gets you big discounts on a wide range of courses that could come in handy. Call 0800 072 5678 for details.

What courses will look good on your CV? A short language course or office skills seminar will enhance it

Over 50? So what? Look ahead to retirement. Think of the break as a taster to help you plan. Long-term you may be thinking of a part- time job, or writing your own bestseller.

TIP:

Turned down?

Stay positive.

Make the request again in, say, a year. Ask what more you could do to make a positive response more likely.

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