Don’t Wait to Retire – Take Your Long Service Leave Now
Does the idea of working for the next 25 or so years with moving goal posts, global instability and constant change seem like an incredibly long time to start living on your own terms? Many of us are working tirelessly out of ambition, necessity, stability, camaraderie, but somewhere along the line, perhaps forgetting to enjoy life outside of work. Nobody burns out from working hard. They burn out from working hard at things that stopped meaning something, without ever stopping long enough to notice. They burn out from a lack of clarity, or validation or sense of contribution. What if we could take a beat, and re-assess before entering the next phase of working life?
Thoughts on burnout
We hear so much about burnout these days. It seems as though so many people are experiencing it between navigating responsibilities, relationships and family wondering is this all there is? So many people are questioning things and looking inward at what they want to do and how they want to work. How we use our finite energy to show up for the things that matter. Often we hear it’s about working hard to the point of exhaustion, a lack of boundaries and lack of rest. All of that is true, and often your body will be the one to let you know first – we shouldn’t let it come to that.
On a deeper level, thoughts on fulfilment and meaning, after years of saying yes to everything, performing well and climbing the corporate ladder, I realised there’s nothing particularly worthwhile at the top of it and I don’t think I’m alone in this realisation. I’m not saying quit your job. I’m saying it’s time to think differently and look at how the work aligns with your values, whether it’s sustainable or whether something needs to shift.
What surprised me about taking long service leave
The relief was palpable. Not having to man the desk, stare at endless emails and meeting requests at all hours of the day. Just being. I had to delete all the apps to avoid curiosity, but waking up without an alarm, sipping coffee and having a leisurely breakfast was bliss.
Sitting in silence and uncertainty about next steps is a challenge. I took 3 months off using my long service leave at half pay and used the time to rest, travel and contemplate. This set the ground work for action that would take a little longer to get started. The thing that surprised me the most was how difficult it was to re-enter the work-place after being away for so long. No longer in charge, no longer needed, quietly stripped away from all the things that led here and having to quieten the ego to realise that I and my priorities had shifted – it was about a realignment of values.
The practicalities of long service leave
What the rest of the world calls a sabbatical, Australians have a specific and under-utilised entitlement for. It’s called long service leave and if you’re contemplating a change, then it’s a good idea to explore your options. Generally, after 7-10 years of continued service, Australian employees are entitled to long service leave, but timing and rules on use vary by state. In Victoria, for example you can take your Long Service Leave after 7 years and it continues to accrue. In NSW and most other states, it’s after 10. You can also request to take your leave at half pay, effectively doubling your time off. Please review your employment contract and for current entitlements by state, visit Fair work Ombudsman, which has everything you need. Requesting long service leave is quite simple too, you just need to ask for permission and employers can negotiate timing. Generally a legitimate request can’t be refused. Ensure you give sufficient notice and have a plan for work to be covered.
If long service leave doesn’t apply to your situation, negotiated unpaid leave or a career break is worth exploring. Either way – make sure you have a financial runway that removes money stress from the equation. And, once it’s approved, don’t forget to psychologically prepare yourself for the upcoming change. Not many people talk about the discomfort, the unknown and the shifts that may present themselves. It’s a time of separation from the busyness and everyday routine that have long defined you. It’s not that something is wrong, but that something is changing.
Why mid-career is the right time for reflection
Mid-career is the perfect moment for a genuine check-in to assess how things have progressed and whether you’re still in alignment. It’s also a difficult time to do so, often in the peak career zone but with multiple dependancies. I think the illusion of stability and golden handcuffs can play into the narrative and prevent us from making better decisions because many don’t know what they would do if not continuing down the same path and I completely understand this. I’m going through it. I also think society sells us the wrong message – work hard, retire and then live. A sabbatical isn’t just about rest but a pivotal moment to reflect. We should be living in the moment where possible and working to enjoy our lives. I think it’s also a good pivotal moment to reflect on whether you want to maintain the same level of energy and output, or whether your values have shifted so assessing what’s sustainable for the next 20 years is important before retirement, not once you get there. Take the time if you can!
In summation
Looking back from where I stand now – if I could sit across from my 30-something self and say one thing about work and career it would be this:
Don’t let work become your identity. Organisations make decisions based on business need, not loyalty. So take your entitlements and take your leave. It’s important to listen to yourself and your body – don’t put off living your life in service of a relationship that isn’t reciprocal. The work will always be there. You won’t always have the time.
So, if you have the means to give yourself the space and grace to navigate the messy middle, then take the time sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until retirement to do all the things, but trust in yourself and your abilities to work it out.
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