{"id":5993,"date":"2025-04-22T11:53:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T08:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arbeidsadvocaat.nl\/as-an-employer-what-do-you-need-to-arrange-when-an-employee-requests-a-sabbatical\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T15:45:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T12:45:59","slug":"as-an-employer-what-do-you-need-to-arrange-when-an-employee-requests-a-sabbatical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arbeidsadvocaat.nl\/en\/as-an-employer-what-do-you-need-to-arrange-when-an-employee-requests-a-sabbatical\/","title":{"rendered":"As an employer, what do you need to arrange when an employee requests a sabbatical?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

A sabbatical sounds appealing: taking an extended period of time off for rest, travel, personal development, or study. For employees, it\u2019s often a dream; for employers, it can raise questions. Are you required to grant it? What are the implications for pay, employment conditions, and insurance? And most importantly: how do you ensure there are no misunderstandings upon the employee\u2019s return? In this blog, you\u2019ll learn how to handle a sabbatical request carefully as an employer and which legal considerations you must definitely keep in mind. <\/p>\n\n

As an employee, are you entitled to a sabbatical?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The answer is clear: no, employees in the Netherlands have no legal right to a sabbatical. It is unpaid leave and therefore only possible if the employer agrees to it. Nevertheless, more and more employers are choosing to accommodate this, especially when it comes to motivated employees who present a solid plan. In such cases, always make written agreements regarding the terms and consequences. <\/p>\n\n

Use a checklist: What do you need to arrange as an employer?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

To make sure you don’t overlook anything, it’s a good idea to consult the Sabbatical Checklist. Some important points to consider are: <\/p>\n\n