What I did on my summer holiday

Introduction

As a long-term employee of Cleo, I recently had the opportunity to take advantage of one of the company's most generous benefits - a 2-month paid sabbatical.

This benefit is available to all Cleo employees who have been at the company for at least four years. During my sabbatical, I was able to relax, recharge, and pursue my personal interests without any financial strain.

In this blog post, I want to share my experience and explain why I believe that a paid sabbatical is a valuable benefit that every employer should consider offering.

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Time to Recharge

The main benefit of a paid sabbatical is the opportunity to take a break from work and focus on yourself.

During my two months off, I was able to visit friends and family, learn new skills, and work on personal projects that I had been putting off. I also used the time to do some DIY projects to improve my home office (I live in London, so that’s the corner of my bedroom), which has made a big difference in my productivity since returning to work.

One of the things I enjoyed most during my sabbatical was having the time to pursue my hobbies. I did some fun programming projects and spent hours playing video games. These were things I'd been wanting to do for a long time but never had the time to do them for any long period of time.

Having two months off work allowed me to fully indulge my interests and come back to work with a renewed sense of energy.

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Financial Security

One of the biggest concerns that many people have when considering taking time off from work is the financial impact.

Even if you have some savings, it can be stressful to think about how to cover your bills and expenses while you're not earning a salary. However, with a paid sabbatical, you don't have to worry about that. Knowing that I would continue to receive my regular paycheck during my time off was a huge comfort and allowed me to fully enjoy my break without any financial stress.

In addition to the financial security, the paid sabbatical also allowed me to save money. Since I wasn't spending money on commuting or work-related expenses, I was able to put that money towards my savings. This was an unexpected bonus that made the sabbatical even more valuable.

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Improved Work-Life Balance

Finally, I believe that a paid sabbatical can also help improve your work-life balance in the long term.

Taking a break from work can help you gain perspective on your career and personal life and come back to work with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. For me, the sabbatical was a great reminder that there's more to life than just work, and that it's important to take time for yourself and your personal interests.

Since returning to work, I've noticed that I'm more productive and efficient. I feel like I have a better work-life balance, and I'm more motivated to do my job well. I'm also less stressed and have an even more positive attitude towards work.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that a 2-month paid sabbatical is a valuable benefit that all employers should consider offering, and everyone should take if they have the opportunity. It's a great way to recharge, pursue personal interests, and improve your work-life balance.

And, of course, the financial security of a paid break is a huge plus. I'm grateful to work for a company like Cleo that values its employees and offers this kind of benefit. If you're considering taking a sabbatical, I highly recommend it. It's an investment in your well-being and can have long-lasting benefits for your career and personal life.

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