{"id":15870,"date":"2026-02-23T15:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=15870"},"modified":"2026-05-22T15:36:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:36:52","slug":"how-to-manage-career-breaks","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/employee-engagement\/how-to-manage-career-breaks\/","title":{"rendered":"How to manage career breaks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"\">By <strong>Kath Sadler-Smith<\/strong> and <strong>Osborne Clarke<\/strong> | Brightmine Editor:<strong> Susie Munro<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Career breaks can benefit employers and employees. If used appropriately, they can be a useful tool for employee retention. However, there are areas of uncertainty associated with their use and employers that are considering offering them need to think carefully about their career break policy. Career breaks are not legally defined, so it is important that employers and employees are clear about the terms on which career breaks are granted and the consequences of taking a break for an employee&#8217;s future employment, statutory rights and contractual benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sign up today to get:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">What is a career break?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Benefits of career breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Deciding whether to offer career breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Length of a career break<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Who qualifies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Considering a request<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is employment terminated by a career break?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Annual leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Sick pay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Bonuses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Benefits\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Service-related benefits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Career development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Requirement to work for the employer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Other employment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Returning to work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Failure to return<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Individual agreements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For full access to <strong>How to manage career breaks<\/strong>, sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0b691c38 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Updated to remove references to case law on holiday pay that is no longer relevant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad1af2a0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-ea1fff98 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17824 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-press-releases topic-pay-trends\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-trends\/pay-trends-2026-may-report\/\" target=\"_self\" >Pay trends 2026 | May Report<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16287 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tools topic-disciplinary\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/checklist-for-initial-settlement-discussion-during-performance-improvement-procedure\/\" target=\"_self\" >Checklist for having initial settlement discussion during performance improvement procedure<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16128 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tools topic-absence-management\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; 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Learn about four anticipated rate rises and how to stay &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:clamp(17.905px, 1.119rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.383), 28px);\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-658170e2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/12085308\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-313\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Kath Sadler-Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kath Sadler-Smith is a training and know-how lawyer with&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.osborneclarke.com\/\">Osborne Clarke<\/a>, specialising in employment and benefits law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">She has advised on both contentious and non-contentious issues, including: the employment aspects of corporate transactions; senior executive appointments and dismissals; restraint of trade; redundancies and business reorganisations; outsourcing and business transfers; discrimination issues; and the implications of engaging contractors and atypical workers. She regularly delivers bespoke training and updates to clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kath spent more than two years on secondment to a blue-chip multinational software company, where she was responsible for: advising on a broad spectrum of HR issues; training HR and management; streamlining HR documentation and processes; and assisting US management in dealing with sensitive UK employee issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0fd240ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"newsletter\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Sign up to receive expert HR insights 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class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Business email address\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"EmailAddress\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Country\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"Country\"><option value=\"\">Your country \/ region<\/option><option value=\"United Kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/option><option value=\"United States\">United States<\/option><option value=\"Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/option><option value=\"Aland Islands\">Aland Islands<\/option><option value=\"Albania\">Albania<\/option><option value=\"Algeria\">Algeria<\/option><option value=\"American Samoa\">American Samoa<\/option><option value=\"Andorra\">Andorra<\/option><option value=\"Angola\">Angola<\/option><option 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You can opt-out via the unsubscribe link in the communications that you receive or by contacting us.\n<\/p><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"client_id\" class=\"client_id\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel5\" name=\"Telephone5\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"2S0OI3\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel6\" name=\"Telephone6\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"DduwX4\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel7\" name=\"Telephone7\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"8ihsaF\"><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Career breaks can benefit both employers and employees, but they require careful planning and clear communication. 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