HR IssuesNov 15, 2019
Amazonsciency

What reason should we give for a hiatus?

I am posting this question on behalf of my girlfriend. She is in the nursing profession, and currently working in a good paying job at a reputable hospital. Although her workplace can be stressful at times, she has enjoyed her job so far and her supervisors have a positive opinion of her. At present she is going through this predicament where she wants to take a break and go for a 6 months long hiatus, but without having to resign from her job. She wants to utilize this time to pursue some projects that she is really passionate about. This involves doing humanitarian work with an organization in Africa and also getting her yoga instructor certificate. We plan to write a letter to her supervisor, requesting them to grant LWP for 6 months to her. But we are not sure if we should quote the aforementioned reasons for applying for this hiatus. It also worries us that no one else at her workplace has been able to successfully get such approval before. So we have also considered making up some excuses like sickness or just stating that there is some personal reason. We seek help from fellow professionals on Blind to understand what could be the right way to justify and request this break. We would appreciate all of your comments and suggestions. Also: YOE: 7 TC: 200k

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Scotiabank nWID38 Nov 15, 2019

I did not know nurses can make 200k. Good for her.

Amazon sciency OP Nov 15, 2019

I apologise for the confusion. The mentioned salary is mine. She earns lesser but is more content. She is not in a tech sector so didn't feel the need for a Blind-styled TC mention.

Okta duckingbay Nov 15, 2019

Be truthful If she lies and gets found out, she'll get fired with cause which may block her from ever applying there again.

General Motors whofarted2 Nov 15, 2019

Agreed.

General Motors whofarted2 Nov 15, 2019

Do you know what HR rules they currently have published? You’ll be asking a lot if you’re asking for a special case. This puts companies in a bad legal position to have to defend why one employee got a special circumstance to go on leave. Your best bet is to play by the rules and find the details by which you can ethically use the options available.

Intel qazwas Nov 15, 2019

Don't lie. Be clear and convincing on the reasons (what's in it for the hospital? Why should they grant this request? Make it sound good for them.). Then if they don't agree and it is they important to her then quit. Nurses are in high demand. She should not have a problem getting a job when she returns.

Okta duckingbay Nov 15, 2019

"Pay me for six months while I go do something for charity" is a stretch. Days or weeks are possible but six months is unlikely. Her best bet is a leave of absence and she comes back on good terms to see what roles are open.

New
wilmerjac Nov 15, 2019

I am in the nursing profession as a leader. You can take a leave of absence for 3 months but usually involves a doctors reason. In the past we employed nurses who worked for several months a year and then volunteered on mercy ships. If she is honest and approaches her manager maybe she could go prn and resume job once she returns. Honesty is the best always and nursing professionals have had to learn how to be flexible.