According to Robert Half, almost half of UK workers (42%) want to take a sabbatical, due to concerns about mental health and burnout.
The 2025 Salary guide revealed that almost two thirds (62%) workers believe employers overwork their staff.
Robert Half said that offering unpaid or partly paid sabbaticals is a cost-effective method to demonstrate commitment to employee well-being without adding permanent overheads. This is especially true if there are no funds available for salary increases or additional benefits.
These programs can reduce burnout, and help to retain high-performing employees who would otherwise leave.
The report concluded that the outlook for hiring is improving in general. Nearly 2/5 of business leaders plan to increase their permanent staff, indicating a return of growing confidence in the UK market.
However, hybrid working still poses a challenge to employers. Over two-thirds of UK employers (68%) felt that a person’s physical presence at the office affected their chances for a promotion.
Despite this, the majority of employees (73%) believe they are more productive in hybrid setups.
The report stated that more than four out of ten businesses (44%) plan to implement digital transformation and automation initiatives to improve overall productivity. A further 40% will look into the optimization of workflow management.
Matt Weston explains that employers need to monitor the trend of increased demand for sabbaticals so they can ensure their retention strategies are relevant.
He said that given the growing focus on mental wellbeing and health in the UK workplace over the past few years, many people want to take time off to rebalance their lives or pursue a goal that is dear to them.
“However the underlying causes of this trend may paint a worrying picture that businesses should be aware of. Many workers have expressed concern that they may be overworked this year. This could have an impact on the workforce.
Mental Health UK reported that 90% of employees across the UK felt stressed in the past year. Even employers who already offer extra paid time off or not, should be aware of this trend to ensure that they are offering a holistic benefits package that meets the current needs of employees,” Weston said.
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