Career break agreement letter template
Our Career Break Agreement Letter template streamlines the process, making it easy to establish the terms and conditions for a successful career break.
- 1 page / 206 words
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text
- Suitable for worldwide use (but check local legislation)
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Career break agreement letter
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
We are writing to confirm the details of your career break agreement. We are pleased to grant you a career break from your employment with [Company Name] for a period of [Start Date] to [End Date]. During this period, you will not be required to perform any work for the company, and you will not receive any pay or benefits.
Please note
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A career break is a mutually agreed period of leave, typically lasting between six months and two years, during which an employee takes time off from work to explore personal interests or achieve specific goals.
During this break, the employee is not required to perform work for the employer and does not receive pay or benefits.
Career breaks can offer employees opportunities for self-development, education, travel, family care, and stress relief, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction upon their return to work. Some employers may offer career breaks as part of their human resource policies to support employees' work-life balance and personal growth.
Direction:
Compliance
Compliance
This Career break agreement letter template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Employment Contracts: The employment contract should be reviewed to ensure that it allows for career breaks and that any conditions for taking a career break are met. The employer must ensure that the employee is made aware of the conditions for taking a career break and that the terms of the career break agreement are clearly outlined in writing.
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Notice Periods: Employers should give the employee sufficient notice of the start and end dates of the career break, and any other relevant information, such as how to return to work.
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Pay and Benefits: The letter should specify whether the employee will be paid during the career break and whether any benefits, such as pension contributions, will continue.
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Right to Return: The employee's right to return to their previous job or an equivalent job after the career break should be outlined in the letter. The letter should also specify any conditions that the employee must meet in order to be able to return to work, such as giving sufficient notice of their return.
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Discrimination Law: Employers must ensure that the decision to allow an employee to take a career break is not discriminatory in any way. This means that the decision must not be based on the employee's race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.
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Documentation: Employers should keep detailed records of the career break agreement, including any conditions for taking the career break, the start and end dates of the career break, and any pay and benefits arrangements. This documentation may be useful in the event of any disputes or issues that arise during or after the career break.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Career break agreement letter template, to understand the workflow.
Career break request letter
Our Career Break Request Letter template simplifies the process for employees seeking a career break, making it easier to communicate their request and reasons effectively.
Timings
Timings
Follow these best practice actions to get the most from the Career break agreement letter template, guiding you before, during, and after implementation:
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| Step | Description | Responsibility | Timing |
| 1 | Employee submits a Career Break Request | Employee | N/A |
| 2 | Employer acknowledges receipt of the request | Employer | Within 1-2 days |
| 3 | Employer reviews the request and company policy | Employer | 1-2 weeks |
| 4 | Meeting with the employee to discuss the request. Career break agreement drafted and sent to employee | Employer & Employee | Within 2-3 weeks |
| 5 | Employee reviews and signs the career break agreemen | Employer | Within 4 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Career break agreement letter template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
