Bosses see employees coming back after a long break as a sign they’re ready to return to the work force, one of our research reveals. This belief, as well as a real desire to get back into the routine, was highly prevalent among senior managers and directors, our poll of 1000 executive managers and heads of HR showed. Some 70% of bosses believe a long break without work is a sign that their employee is feeling very positive about their career prospects. Some 47% of those who have taken a break have gone on to hold a more senior role after their return, 35% have gained promotion within the company, while others have gone on to start their own business.
“Business leaders see the rebound as a positive sign and believe their employees are ready to return to work,” the study said. Many are hopeful their employee will benefit from the time away from the office as they come back stronger, the research suggested. Nearly half of those who went on a break since May 2016, (47%) say their return back into the workplace has helped them gain a new passion that will now shape their career. One in six claim that taking time off has strengthened their ties with their family. Two-thirds of those who have taken a break in the past year said that their upcoming return back to work will not impact negatively on their ability to perform at work.
59% of bosses are looking forward to welcoming back their employee
It’s perfectly normal to want to start making a return to work, and these stats show that bosses believe that ‘rebuilding from scratch’ is an option for employees looking to start their career afresh. For these managers, the return to work is about more than just returning to familiar surroundings, either, with 85% saying the return to work is about continuing to grow and learn from their experience. “Having the time away from the office has given many of the people we polled the opportunity to get back to work and start building on their career pathways,” Professor Richard Kennedy, executive leader and research director of Marks Barfield London, part of the Milken Institute, said. The study shows that bosses really do want to see their employees re-enter the office, especially those in senior positions. One in eight of those in the top 10 jobs also said they regretted taking a long break.
Bosses believe the time away has strengthened their ties with their family
Half feel the right amount of time away from work is to stay away for at least one year. Workers who have taken a break were much more likely to report that their return back to work was likely to impact negatively on their own ambition and career growth. Nearly three quarters of those who took a break said that they felt that they had lost touch with what made them passionate about their profession. On the other hand, 66% of those who haven’t taken a break feel like they have achieved more by returning to work.