Career break request letter template
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.
5 mins
What is a Career break request letter?
A Career Break Request Letter serves as a structured and formal means for employees to request a temporary interruption in their employment to pursue personal interests, education, or other commitments. It enables employees to present their reasons for the career break and outline the proposed duration and arrangements for their absence from work. By using this template, employees can initiate a transparent and constructive dialogue with their employer, promoting a fair and well-documented process for career break requests.
As soon as possible after a decision is made
The Employee to the Employer (you)
Great Britain & NI (United Kingdom), Worldwide
What steps should I take to ensure the effective, compliant execution of this letter?
| 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 | Employer & Employee | Within 2-3 weeks |
| 5 | Decision made on the career break request | Employer | Within 4 weeks |
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To view this you will need to make a purchase.
What legislation or best practices underpin this template / should I be aware of?
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Employment Rights Act 1996: Provides employees the statutory right to request flexible working, which may include a career break.
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Equality Act 2010: Prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics, ensuring fair treatment in considering career break requests.
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Working Time Regulations 1998: Sets out the statutory entitlement to paid annual leave, which may be used during a career break.
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Family and Medical Leave Act 1993: Offers eligible employees the right to take unpaid leave for family or medical reasons.
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Employment Rights Act 1996 (Part IXA): Establishes the right to parental leave, which may be relevant for employees seeking a career break for childcare responsibilities.
To view this you will need to make a purchase.
To view this you will need to make a purchase.
Refer to your local employment legislation / labor laws to support the execution of the template. Review the wording for local accuracy.
Career break request [Delete this line]
[Company name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
I am writing to request a career break from my employment with [Company Name]. I have been with the company for [number of years] and have greatly appreciated the opportunities and support provided by the organization during my time here. However, I feel that I would benefit from taking some time away from work to pursue other interests and goals.
I am requesting a career break from [Start Date] to [End Date]. During this period, I would not be able to perform any work for the company, and I understand that I would not receive any pay or benefits during this time. I am committed to returning to my role on a full-time basis at the end of the career break, subject to the availability of the position.
I have carefully considered the impact that this career break may have on my colleagues and the company, and I have made arrangements to ensure that my workload will be covered in my absence. I will complete all outstanding projects and handover my responsibilities to my colleagues before my departure.
I believe that taking a career break will allow me to recharge, refocus and develop new skills and experiences that will benefit both myself and the company upon my return. I appreciate your support in considering this request and I look forward to discussing it further with you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours [faithfully | sincerely],
[Sender name]
[Sender job title]
[Sender telephone]
[Sender email]
What communication / process sequence is this part of?
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.
Why buy our Career break request letter template?
- It's easily editable and implementable, saving you time and money
- It's designed by CIPD accedited Chartered HR practitioners with operational experience in this area
- You will maintain compliance with ACAS guidelines, legislation, and industry best practices
- Email notifications for any updates made to this template or its accompanying materials
- 12 months of unrestricted access without any additional costs (any update in that period is free to you)
- A 25% discount on all library, toolkit, and template purchases/renewals
