Gravitas: New job trend: Normalising career breaks

Have you ever thought of taking a career break?
Earlier, taking time off from work was frowned upon, even considered unprofessional.
The pandemic has made career breaks mainstream.
Companies are now warming up to the idea.
Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells more.
#Gravitas #Career #Break
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[@heyjude5027]

I'm on a career break and it's true that recruiters always asks what I did during that period, they are expecting that it was spent in trainings, studies and activities related to profession. In my case, I didn't. I used my break to learn the basics such as cooking, baking, home organization, decluttering, learnt new language, had fun solving sudoku, watched films, series, documentaries, travel vlogs, funny videos and news, talked more with my family and friends, learnt biking and had longer sleeps. Such a blessing to be always happy and stress free.

[@cornflowerblue2888]

thanks for sharing your wholesome experience!

[@kksharma2822]

We all deserve and need this , we're not robots.

[@angelicaterry3367]

i hope you appreciate that you may be one of the lucky ones able to do this because of your status in life.

[@anandviswanathan4625]

If you end up doing trainings, studies and activities related to profession, then it is not a break at all. What you did IS the meaning of taking a break.

[@billywayneruddik6307]

Yeah I too can only do inhumane things for so long.

[@JohnCena-hr9ku]

Companies are putting employees into stress... That's why even company offer heavy salary then also people are quitting...

[@JagadeeshPolepalli]

Very true

[@ashishsachdeva432]

In my case, i keep the company in stress. When, we don't care for the loss of job. And, are doing work also. Meeting all targets.

[@TheSunAgain756]

Yeah!

[@shamrajkumar2906]

I took a break from my career after divorce to take care of my kids but did all the schooling, household activities and side gigs to get some funds to pay bills. Less stress do nothing and whatever while developing an entrepreneurial spirit...5 yrs now.....no regrets

[@cryptoboi9584]

I think best job in India is earned by MBA graduates of HR posts. Just harass employees and earn huge income. They can have holidays as per their wish. Lavish freedom lifestyle. 👌

[@nikhilkhankal5313]

Seriously, bro, you think HR jobs are easy as an HR professional I know how stressful Hr jobs are you at least educate yourself before committing.

[@CasualBiker]

In my 14 years career, with about 5 different organizations, the only time I got to interact with company's hr is during on boarding and when I was in the bench, harassed by the pool manager and Hr together...

[@l_ifeefi_l1998]

Hr ppl r one the most unwholesome ppl in a company

[@aaryhansaiyan]

My HR is very sweet girl and if fun to be around 😂😂

[@WanderlustWonders18]

Thanks, Wion and Palki for bringing in this great topic no one has touched upon. I am on a long career break too and it's been never so easy to regain entry into the job market again. After this pandemic, it's even worse now but I don't regret my decision. It may be easier in western countries but it's still not normalized in India and remain a herculean task giving justifications and a taboo as you rightly pointed out. It's high time employers and recruiters should think and understand this issue from a fresh perspective and give it a thought to hiring people on career breaks as well, as it's just a matter of time, anyone can get into this situation and no one is immune to it.

[@ravsinghrajput2105]

Let's give *Palki Sharma* a round of a applause for being honest unbiased and effective news reporter ... 👏 ... God bless you all 🙏 ...👍

[@AK-wn5ri]

In India, career break for men is still a taboo. Employers do not consider this as a good trait, even if HR is understanding tech managers do not understand it. I have a friend who took a career break who was burnt out from Fintech industry and took a year gap, he travelled, learnt new tech, started a small business in his hometown. When he started looking for job, he got very few calls from industry and took a huge paycut on his first job after the gap.

[@nightflame9895]

It is same for all. What do u mean by "men"? Componies will do this with everyone. In fact thay do this even on maternity leave

[@bijosn]

I had the same issue

[@AK-wn5ri]

@@nightflame9895 if they do that with maternity leave then it is illegal and employee can sue the company!

[@memoriesentertainment6052]

Career breaks is a fantastic gesture but I fear in the uae it is practically impossible for the middle and lower working class. In order western countries and rest of the world 🌍 working hours is 35 at most 40 in a week but in uae it’s 72 hours damn no time to live even the most simplest form of life 🤦‍♂️

[@is-sam]

I did it for 1 year, and it was the best decision I have made in my life, it made me realize what's really important to me and what path I am going to take in my life. Although I did find trouble justifying that to recruiters after, but I don't really care because I decided to become an entrepreneur and I only need to work (on a job) for a small period of time before becomming 100% independent.

[@jakejimstone5029]

If you take over a year off, then HR considers you have missed a year and are now reduced in rank. From a Senior to an Intermediate or from an Intermediate to a Junior.

[@angelicaterry3367]

europe, uk or america?

[@frugaleconomist99999]

@@angelicaterry3367 India

[@jakejimstone5029]

@@angelicaterry3367 Canada.

[@vilisveips8611]

It is hard to start work again after long break and very hard to start a job you do not like. I think it is good to use such breaks for learning something new. Love this news !!!

[@mayanksharma5836]

Very motivational article. Amazing work. I my self quit practising law and at 30 to become a web developer.🌈🥂

[@vikramf5148]

After working 10 years straight, I took a career break in 2017 for a year to learn mountaineering skills and also for some volunteering work....was not accepted back to corporate world after the break....questions asked about stability, commitment, etc....some recruiters asked what if I go back and take a break again, one even asked if I regret my decision of a break to which I replied 'absolutely not'....I had to compromise monetarily and restart over again. So, to summarize, in India career breaks are not accepted easily and undue advantage are taken by recruiters by offering less salaries. And regarding my decision, I would say that it was the best time of my life when I improved my personal skills. Everyone should take a break to break away from the entanglement of the corporate world.

[@nicksonkoh]

I had not done career breaks but adopted long leave breaks of 1-3 weeks. In this breaks, I disconnect from emails and told colleagues that i am on a retreat and will be hard to reach 🙄 (a lie). In these breaks, I will tend to all things life. Cleaning and enhancing my house to make it fresh and nice, balancing my body n mind during morning Yoga, grooming and taking care of my loved ones, plants and attention to my pet, walks in parks and swim in sea to connect to nature and meditate in a quiet dark corner in the beach park at night. So the life i talk abt is myself, the house that keeps me safe and comfortable, the nature that i am part of, the living plants and animals that i share and coexist with. Work is a friction we made and got so lost and identified with and which is why i do this 1-2 weeks retreat.

[@ApoorvaDixit1488]

I am on my notice period and what a coincidence that this news and recent Gravitas plus focused on Work life balance and Career breaks. Thank you for prioritizing these topics. I think that Career breaks are not normal yet in India. There are a lot of people that can fill one's shoes thanks to India's population and this adds to job insecurity. But I am feeling quiet relaxed in my notice period except for the exit discussions for retention. I will consider a break or ask for a lesser work load or ask for WFH during 8-9 month of our pregnancy. Hope the new company will consider it😊.

[@deekshantbelwal1269]

It's becoming normal in India also. Though new companies try to lowball on salary but with right skills no need to worry. I have in past resigned without new offer and took 3-4 months break before joining new company. If there are so many applicants then there are so many companies also. :)

[@sanatandharma8837]

@@deekshantbelwal1269 same im on NP without job.will be taking 3-4 months break

[@wankerbush3769]

i'm 25 and I never worked more than 1 year anywhere. I don't count on my pension. Why would I work through my best years to pay for pills in my older ones?

[@manishrao18]

A break of 2-3 months costed me 8 months to get back. It's big taboo in India. Some interviews & interviewers were shameless, disgusting, annoying. Companies and employers in India still carry colonial mindset. Too much politics at job! Career Break @ 15 yrs experience was not good at all. I faced wicked mid career crisis.

[@godislove1602]

Thank God for this 🙌🏽 Let’s normalize this!!!

[@vinodr4697]

In India especially in IT & ITES, career breaks are still looked as if it's alien. Indian services companies and the HR policies don't support these breaks. Even when the potential candidate offers to take up a reduced paycheck due to career break, that is often doubted or seen as "may be candidate is less skilled" . A lot needs to be changed in Indian companies hiring system.

[@sanjanaprakash2400]

Career brakes are still a taboo in India... the story of John which Pallki narrated on her telecast today is what I have gone through in 2021... i took a break to look after my father (unfortunately he is not with us).... now I am looking for a job and have to face exactly the same questions she mentioned... it’s difficult to find a job!! People ask strange questions will you be in a position to handle this as you have not been working for past 1 year... I wonder whether the knowledge earned for 15 years is lost in 1 year..

[@amanshrivastava5138]

I am on a career break, belong to New Delhi. In spite of having 3 offers, i joined none. Now, I am allowing myself to get some time off, to get some sort of healing and then would be back to work in some time.

[@frugaleconomist99999]

Good one. I'm also planning for a career break due to top-down stress, medical issues and want to spend quality & happy time with family. Post Pandemic people are giving more importance to family/relationships than money/rat race. The mindset is also changed. Want to live a simple happy life. Iam a millennial already tired working these many years break tho bantha hai

[@Fr.VeniceLAI]

Indeed, fully support "career break", i took mine at mid-40s, after working some 20+ years in an International Company. Then, studied two years to obtain my Master in Finance and continue in another career work, afterwards.

[@boscofernandes720]

Very well reported!! Hats off to you Palki for being bold and reporting this out of which popular media companies do not do!!

[@heedo7716]

In June 2022 it will be complete 2 years since I took a gap in my career. Continuous working was exhausting and I had no time for myself. But finally I made a decision and guess what? It was worth it.

[@mpalmer7800]

Every working person should have the ability to do exactly that

[@celiajames600]

Yep! I did it, to focus on my kids for a little bit.

[@subhajits1]

To make something sometimes we need to break something...

[@3tolove]

I never regret the 4 years I took to raise my son as he has hard time going to the daycare.... I spent qualities time with my son preparing him to the Kindergarten ...It is amazing to observe my child growing ,the first step walking ,the new things and activities ,playing puzzle ,biking , doing errands,and set up the schedule everyday just for him, as result we have a strong bond between us and he is stable son. I got great comments from his teacher the first year he started school. It should be Normal to valu the family without shame ,money is not everything,but it hurt financially ! So be prepared before that move.

[@Bharatiya1907]

I had a passion in agriculture, so left my IT job and now I don't regret even when I had to compromise monetarily.

[@HenrySonder]

Great contribution! And very good news. Finally.

[@thetaleofeverything6635]

yes but only people with family support (aka Money) can do it people with emis, private school going children and high spending spouses cannot do this 100%

[@silvereyes000]

Yes exactly. Any company would give training to freshers,then what's the problem with having career breaks? I am currently in a career break. After working for just more than 1.5 years i found the profile I used to work didn't have much scope for growth. I tried to find a different profile while working. It didn't turn out well. I quit my job during the pandemic learned python, tried a bit of animation improving my math. Not just this. I and husband planned seriously considered starting a family. We have a sweet Lil son who just turned 5 months. I could go through maternity while in career break. Now I hope to start afresh after a while when my son is a bit more older

[@rubyh4184]

And then employer ask "why do you have a gap in your resume?" Will the gap be a problem? Nobody knows, since they will just ghost you. Times are changing in the US only? US have labour shortage so it is different case. If labour have turn to normal then most employers will return to normal as well

[@InternetMameluq]

Trends usually start in America, then spread to Canada, then Europe, then the rest of the world. It could be decades before some trends hit India.

[@deekshantbelwal1269]

It's changing in India also. But you need to have niche skills. People in low and high skills can take easily. It's just in middle where there are less jobs and lot of competition.

[@akshay8382]

We are just dedicating our life, energy and time for rich people on this planet by working for them and they are chilling on luxurious hotels and beaches...!!!

[@anwart9]

Exactly. God never wanted us to work. But we still do it.

[@GCS88]

This is something us easterners should look at, after living in the west were this is normal I can guarantee that this results to more happier people as it gives them a chance to take a break and re-evaluate their lives making them go after what they really want, it gives companies employees that are inspired to work rather than drones who's only there to turn over papers, this results to less burnouts from people and avoids suicide cases due to stress (I'm looking at you Korea and Japan) Good coverage here by WION.

[@pragyanpandit8542]

I am a data scientist. I have taken a 6-month career break and it is getting harder to get re-hired here in India. Although I am upgrading my skills continuously so that I can have the option of rejection, not the other side.

[@bornbyaqueen]

Day before yesterday was last day at work for me. I'm on break right now before I start my new career/venture. After 10 years and 6 of them as night shift, i decided to put stop to rat race and take time off and follow my passion and interest. I'm so happy that I resigned as the job was taking toll on my mental, physical and emotional well-being. Yes, it's okay to take time off. Companies/HR or your leader won't care about you, they only want performance and positive surveys only. They should get incentive whether you get incentive or annual increment or not. Most Indian companies hardly known how to retain employees.

[@vilisveips8611]

It is not only in India. I work in Ireland but I was born in Latvia. All jobs I had in Ireland have this problem with managment and simply with attitude too workers. Good for you that you quit that job, I am also going to quit my job after month. All the best!

[@tarunjain1537]

Career breaks is till a tough bargain to achieve in Indian companies.. It's still a taboo for especially men!

[@ANUPSINGH-vb1cf]

I took a carrier break of 1month due to medical reason of my wife. Now, returning back to work asking multiple questions why you took a break,it shows off your attitude towards work. I want to ask a ❓ is it wrong to take a break for your spouse or anyone who needs medical attention. I have been asked multiple questions and not recruiting me just becoz of 1month break.... Totally depressed 😔

[@samrobb4073]

I took a break last year for 4 months from IT job to.recover from covid with 12years experience the recruiters and companies question me as if I did some sort of a crime

[@ajaykulkarni1819]

This topic is very interesting. I encourage you and your team to post more videos on this topic.. !

[@nikaranlk]

Money is necessity but family and serene mind is essential thing to prevail successful.

[@ashishsachdeva432]

Last, i took a career break in 2009 for a week, for father's retirement party. Never looked back after that. 😊 And, career wise, i am satisfied/happy.

[@wearealive796]

You stopped working? Passive income?

[@libinvarghese8166]

Yes it's important. Thanks for bring it up. Wion always a step ahead.

[@arjunbhandari2466]

High time! Career breaks must be normalised and not penalised. Why is ‘Me’ time or unexplained career breaks made to look dreadful? Why does a career break overshadows years of hard work, dedication, skill set and experience? Organisations and employers need to be rational, empathetic, ready to listen and open to judgement free work environment. Not denying that, there is a difference between a one off or two career breaks vs a habit of taking random breaks every now and then!

[@speakup8168]

Thank u so much for such a great, need to address for the moment topics !!... bringing up such topic itself is a great deal n this will help in making the noise to the employers, especially in a market like India, that people have evolved in their approach to career journey. It's no more.. that old mindset like if u done have a job, how will u live life !... now it's like, i will live with what i hv in my natural resources n if money is need then maybe i will do a job... thanks WION again for such a great topic.. Big Fan forever !!!

[@sunilchand6058]

Unfortunately the definition of Work/Career for many is the same as glorified Slavery for the 'Woke' Not sure why corporates call it 'a career break'. Why dont they call it 'go walkabout' in the way Australian Aborigines have used it? Thank you for the spotlight Ms Palki/Wion - brainwashed masses need to be awakened

[@jhatumullaprofitimrandbinl3432]

My boss told me to have a good day So I went home 😂

[@patheticlivingorganism]

0k

[@clare_jordin]

Hahaha

[@anshude5293]

This is impossible in India or many other developing countries, especially for men.

[@arunagopalakrishnan1209]

I am on a career break for many years now to deal with unpleasant situations at home that still stretches. Don't know when I can finally get back on track, don't discuss my problems with anyone because people will never really understand any of the things that I may have faced or tackled. But this report brings bit of relief that it's okay for schedules to get disrupted or delayed because it's just not in our radar to look out for red signals always.

[@WanderlustWonders18]

I concur with you as I've been through this situation and I'm still going through it.

[@thunamguntula9276]

Love WION for bringing up these concurrent news.

[@123haroon1]

I am an ED Physician on Career break...after losing 4 of my colleagues and my dearly veteran dad to COVID...!!

[@rituv1606]

Good one Palki! I think career breaks should be normalised. We are humans not machines to keep running till we breakdown 😀

[@somnathasalkar2936]

Career or doing a job for earning money for your daily expenses are different in western countries and in India. In west they have social security / government support if you loose your job, but in India we don't have social security.

[@eddenoy321]

Yes but unemployment insurance only lasts for 6 months in the US normally.

[@HornOkay]

It's still Taboo to take a career break. I took about 2 months of a career break to work on my side gig and soon realize the recruiters which are always behind are looking upon my situation negatively. Even though my plan was to take 1 year of break, I joined a bridge-over temp company to avoid blacklisting.

[@HornOkay]

@@carloandreaguilar5916 EU is much better compared to USA for labor laws.

[@yehet1242]

I need to take mandatory leave every week due to mental health and let's just say no one want to recruit me after I quit :/

[@ssj7829]

not yet in india

[@ajaykulkarni1819]

While it may not be convincing for the corporate bosses and no one would encourage career break related conversation..! ; I prefer to disagree with all ; A career break or career breaks for that matter would make an individual 10 times stronger and 10 times more confident in his/her overall personality.. be it personal or professional..! With consistent career breaks I have personally honed and perfected tens of different skills ; which would be far more beneficial for me in the forthcoming decades than just being on routine ...!

[@DrMuse-ht1lc]

Indian Medical Students waiting to go back to China to finish their MBBS course. It's been more than 2.2 years now very huge year age. This Career break is breaking the students spirit from inside and effecting them Mentally and emotionally. Wish the Government's had a better understanding.

[@jnanakshatriya668]

Stupid companies. Reason for my career break is none of their business. It's just one of those hr questions because they have to ask something to make their job look important. As if they can judge you based on career break and what you did during that time.

[@kaushikchada]

I took a career break from 2 years to learn skills and be with my family.

[@venuvenu2719]

8 months out of IT. Will start applying from this month. I guess since this is a short break I wont be having any problems.

[@pallivaisali]

Yes career breaks essential but what abt bills hence forced to work

[@Rythmica375]

All this sounds good but in reality most companies prefer candidates without career breaks. They will hire you with less pay citing the gap as a reason or ghost you. Corporates warming up to career breaks is slow. At least now they have started to accept maternity break.

[@iamyourboss7495]

The beautiful part is...she is happy and not hiding thesmile

[@appi1387]

Gender equality? Women get hired and pregnant instantly. Men get shamed for taking time off.

[@kalyangupta1699]

Career breaks in India for womem is easy and are considered for work again but its difficult when it comes to males.

[@Venkat-xw9yr]

MID CAREER BREAKS are still not being encouraged atleast in India

[@pramod8838]

I have had a 2+ years career break, now trying to change my career. Quite worried if I will get interview calls

[@tobiasthederp]

I took a week off and had to have a Conversation with my HR on not taking my 40 hours all at once.

[@dhanamjayas]

My breaks are more than career, but still I get jobs.😃

[@sandyahire15]

It's possible only if you don't have any loan on you

[@gb9600]

Yes, break is an essential thing but sadly employers do not think that way. They will question you hundreds of times and reject you for that.

[@saipranay3416]

In india 🇮🇳 given the demographics and Graduates passing every year Career break will be considered as the taboo for looong time only skillset will help survive.........

[@soumyaripan5131]

It's practical for high salary jobs. For medium and low salary jobs it difficult to take career brake.

[@z.t.8950]

There's Wion. And then there are the rest. I can't imagine Fox or any of the Western stations tackling such basic human interest stories. God bless you!

[@talwaal]

i took one..i am happy for it

[@ShivaRaoharry]

I am on Career Break. I am enjoying it.

[@singhskeptic5742]

Fours year break . Enjoying life😀

[@pardhasrinivas]

Exactly lucky enough to have it

[@tonydicostelli6992]

I'm taking one right now. 4 months ongoing...

[@rrohitsharma1091]

I will take a Break 🙌✨

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Career breaks are more sweet on paper than in reality.

[@chasinthroughthedecade]

And then there's the boomers who are obsessed with eliminating laziness..... 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴

[@musicsoul4037]

i'm on my 3 year career break now and i did quit for many reasons but on them is that i see life as so short and all i'v have been doing was running in circles in this rat race that all i want now is to take a long rest and appreciate the world.

[@TheHariniravi]

I took a break during covid times from 2020 to 2022...got rehired. Guess it's very rare after reading through comments section. also recruiters were not much bothered abt the break when I told my reason

[@Venkat-xw9yr]

Yes still a taboo for us in Indian IT industry from personal experience ....BEING HONEST on CV does not help atleast In India

[@DEEPAKASH78]

I am on career break and live in India

[@gochhayatdebasish6656]

Thanks , dark secrets of Corporate World

[@naveengate-hd5tn]

We can do ..but money rules..no one wants to do a job..but financial position...and imbalances made everybody to do so

[@dsztiger3158]

In India companies don't hire if you have Career gap ..

[@naveen25893]

That still a taboo because it's the same things like others such as basic compensation, perks and other facilities is not equalent as what people get in the developed countries including the labor law is not so strong in India which benefits the companies. It's okay if companies benefits, but not at the cost of survival of the employees.

[@darrelldamon2745]

I am way ahead of you guys

[@ampamp999]

Imagine setting retirement age as 67 when hardly few years left on this earth, when body organs about to fail.. US social security sucks

[@pardhasrinivas]

It's accepted to take career breaks in India

[@pyarahindustani8553]

Career intervals are no way correlated to productivity. Innovation happens at odd places, sometimes in a bath tub🤤

[@hindurashtra63]

Internet is addictive. I did more work in 1 Day of no Internet than I did in past 1 Week..

[@chakri4eva]

Guess whatt..I am watching this news at being on a career break..😜😜

[@sorenutube]

Imagnine Putin taking a career break. Coming back in a year to talk about the skills he had learned during the time off. How can this not be a good idéa?

[@anweshasarkar7041]

Is this applicable in Indian companies??

[@JagadeeshPolepalli]

Good question.. Now with increase in attrition they are increasing notice period.. Our country is good at policies.. It never has one

[@cryptoboi9584]

I think best job in India is earned by MBA graduates of HR posts. Just harass employees and earn huge income. They can have holidays as per their wish. Lavish freedom lifestyle. 👌

[@bhinbhinkaka6514]

Only for women