Itchy feet

Feb 17 2005 by Brian Amble Print This Article

A growing number of people in the UK are taking two or three month career breaks to go travelling, with many employers happy to give them unpaid time off to recharge their batteries.

A survey of 2,000 people by Direct Line Travel Insurance found that more than one in 10 had already taken a sabbatical from work, with Australia and New Zealand the most popular destinations.

Three-quarters of those surveyed said they would consider taking a long break. People working in the media and advertising - where we suspect employers are most open to the idea of unpaid leave - are most likely to take a sabbatical. Builders, doctors and IT staff were most likely to stay at home.