48 Hours Before Leaving on Sabbatical. What’s THAT like?

Sabbatical-goers reaching the last work week are in kick-butt mode. One’s professional reputation hovers between a final to-do list and an unforgiving time frame. Most have found their productvity  in high gear for many weeks as they check and re-check their work coverage plans – and continue their work with a focus on leaving it in the best shape EVER. (So co-workers don’t talk bad about you.)

There’s also the sabbatical experience to plan as well and some things appear only, it seems, in this last week. And don’t forget you’ve gotta pick up that thyroid prescription for little Janice and look for the passport that you haven’t laid eyes on 10 years. (Where is it?)

At work, snarling, jealous co-workers whisper behind your back and have pasty smiles as you dole out your work to them.  “Is this going to be really worth it?” you think.

Molly Thomas of Abacus Planning Group

Guess what? It’s not like that at all.

Take Molly Thomas on the Client Services Team at Abacus Planning Group. Molly has two more days at work before she leaves on a four-week sabbatical and gets totally disconnected from work.  (It’s the rule.) Molly and her sabbatical plans were featured in a  January post.

Molly was kind enough to take us inside the “world of an about-to-be sabbatical-goer.”

What I discovered from my discussion with Molly is that when a company really commits to a career break for its employees, the experience expands to many more people than just the sabbatical-goer - in good ways of collaboration and celebration. Abacus Planning Group, a fee-only investment counsel and financial planning firm in Columbia, South Carolina, offers employees a 4-week paid sabbatical after 5 years.  (Other companies that offer sabbaticals are on the yS Workplaces for Sabbaticals list.) Here are some highlights from my conversation with Molly:

Me: How does this last week feel and how are your co-workers doing?

Molly:  My last couple of days are flying! I guess I expected that, but there are not enough hours in the day.  Co-workers have been wonderful and supportive of my sabbatical.  I have received many well wishes!

Me: Has the preparation and the planning for your sabbatical been different that what you might have expected?

Molly: I am not sure exactly what I expected this last week to be like.  I knew it would be hectic, but was given direction and focus from Abacus’s president , Cheryl Holland.  Cheryl  recommended that I print and distribute my “open activies” report  for each of the financial advisors.  I ran this report to show current open activites, as well as those activities that are upcoming and highlighting all to each advisor.  This one activity,  communicated to each advisor all open and upcoming “to dos” for our clients.  Cheryl also asked me to delegate a couple of items to other employees, who quickly stepped up to the plate!

Me: What’s uppermost on your mind about the sabbatical experience ahead?

Molly:  Uppermost on my mind is to make sure I don’t leave any major “hanging chads” at work.  My husband and I are busy making last minute travel plans.  Almost everything is in place, with the exception of our bike tour of the Gardens and Palace of Versailles.  Lastly and most importantly, I am arranging the day-to-day life of my 16-year-old daughter, while I am out of the country…..probably my biggest challenge!

Thanks Molly and have a fantastic sabbatical.