Work Coverage Ideas During Sabbatical Leave

“How will your job get done while you're on sabbatical?”

A core piece of successfully negotiating your extended leave is the Work Coverage portion of your written proposal. It answers that king-sized question for your manager.

In developing your Work Coverage plan, be sensitive to your manager’s current agenda, objectives and deadlines. Identify and focus on your most essential work—the high-priority duties from your manager's perspective. The rest will have to wait.

Get creative as you devise solutions for reassigning them. A combination of the ideas which follow may work best.

Coworkers are Crucial

Coworkers are the core of your work coverage plan during sabbatical leave. Start now to build and cement the crucial relationships you'll be dependent upon.

Practice give-and-take among your coworkers, with the emphasis on giving. Build up your balance of goodwill and favors so that you can draw upon them later. Do what it takes to demonstrate your vital contribution to the workgroup or department.

As a mature employee, you're probably already plying these smart workplace practices.

Have a trusted colleague or mentor review your Work Coverage plan before presenting it to your manager. Aim to identify gaps and possible break-downs. Ask colleagues and friends outside of work to offer ideas. They’re not hampered by preconceived ideas about how the work gets done so they may have some original suggestions.

Ideas and Introductory Sentences

I've provided a selection of ideas in the form of introductory sentences to insert into your proposal. It's your task to flesh out the specifics which should follow. Your aim is to assure your manager that essential job duties are covered during your absence.

Cross-training staff person or junior employee

“During the [#] weeks just prior to my planned leave, I will train [name(s)] to assume the responsibility of [duties]. [Optional, if true]: S/he has shown a willingness to build knowledge and responsibility in this skill area.”

Cross-training co-workers

“I propose that during the [#] weeks just prior to my temporary absence, I cross-train [name(s)] to cover [tasks].”

Cross-training colleagues in another department

“Conditional upon agreement from [department head name], I propose that during the [#] weeks just before my temporary absence, I work with [names(s)] in [department] to handle [tasks].”

Delegate to previously-trained staff

“[Name] is capable of [duties] and will cover them temporarily during my absence.”

Recently-retired professional who still wants to stay active*

“I have spoken with [name of recently-retired professional] who is a recently-retired [name of profession] and interested in covering my duties during my sabbatical leave. Her/his resume is attached.” [This is an easier sell if the individual worked for the same employer prior to retirement.]

Professional temp agency employee, full-time or part-time*

“I propose that a temporary staff [job position] be hired for [#] hours per week to cover [duties], with a [#]-week training period prior to the start of my leave.”

*Because of the direct costs of hiring temporary help, you may want to suggest a length of coverage to match only the number of your unpaid weeks of sabbatical leave.

Graduate student intern in the field

“I propose that we sponsor a graduate student intern in [your profession/industry] from [name of graduate school] from [date] to [date], which covers part of my sabbatical leave. I propose that this possibility by explored further so that mentoring and training can begin before my leave starts. Training would include [tasks], which could continue under your [or co-worker’s] supervision.” (This assumes an unpaid internship, unless other arrangements are agreed upon.)

Your job sharing partner

If you are already job sharing, plan your absence in collaboration with your job partner.

Be sensitive to both the timing and length of your leave. No matter how strong your job sharing work relationship is, the prospect of managing the workload alone for several weeks may stir resentment. Decide together whether the Work Coverage plan needs to be supplemented with the other suggestions below. Follow through accordingly. Get your job partner's agreement about being the primary contact during your absence and the degree of (limited) accessibility s/he'll require of you.

“[name of job sharing partner] will be covering my essential duties and will be my main point of contact during my absence in case of emergencies. Also, [other Work Coverage idea(s) to supplement your job sharing partner's role].”

Learn more about a proposal for job sharing from WorkOptions.com.

Get Your Manager's Perspective

As you complete this portion of your sabbatical leave proposal, pretend you are your manager reading it. The specifics of Work Coverage should thoroughly address the questions s/he might have.

Return to Sabbatical Helps

Home • Privacy • Site Map • Get a Yes • Subscribe • Free Consult