To take a year out?

[Caterpillor]

I'm mid 40s and have worked full-time for over twenty years. I'm also single parent to two school age dc. I recently quit my job due to stress and would really like to take a year out. I just feel exhausted from years of (over)work.

I wouldn't be claiming benefits as I have savings to cover two years, so one year out would be 'safe'. Aibu to do this? Has anyone done it and then found it easy/hard to secure a new job? It feels 'risky' but equally I have felt really broken my most recent job.

Is there an option for a sabbatical from your job? They would still keep your job open but not pay you.

I am more or less doing this and currently finding it difficult to get back into work. There is a reason they say not to leave your job without another job to go to.

I would advise anyone thinking of this to do some homework/groundwork in terms of making and keeping up contacts, and working out a re-entry plan. I would also think about the effect on your pension.

Aside from that the time itself has been immensely healing and I feel privileged to have been able to.

Sabbatical isn't an option as I wouldn't want to return to this job. Tbh I'm not sure if I'd want to return to a professional role, I feel I might want to move into a lower paid or charity type role, something with better work life balance.

@erinaceus what reason are you giving at interviews/on cv for your year out?

I'm not too fussed about pension as I've overpaid in the past so have a decent pot.

Even if you're not keen on returning to your current post, a sabbatical still seems the safer option. If you can't find something else when the time comes then at least you have it to return to were you look - assuming you will need to work/earn at that point. Where I work sabbaticals aren't uncommon and lots of people don't return (or if they do, it's not for long); I assume that's what they are doing

If you have enough savings, do it.
One thing to consider that UK is heading for potential recession so you may come back to an even worse economic situation.

I wouldn't do it personally as I'm very risk averse and would spend the entire year stressing about money/whether I'd be able to find another job. But that's most likely because I was made redundant a few years ago and it tool me 10 months to find another job, it was incredibly stressful despite having plenty of savings to fall back on. DH was also made redundant and it took him 2 years to find something else so for me, I'd just worry.

If you're confident you will be able to find another job and won't worry about it, then absolutely go for it.

@Caterpillor In my case it is health related so I say that and emphasise that I am ready to return now.