Hi,

Many employers perceive that sending employees on a sabbatical program will equip the employee with skills that the company could use. Quite a lot of companies in the US have established sabbatical programs. My interest was in knowing:

1. Which Indian companies follow sabbatical programs?

2. What are the best practices followed as far as sabbatical policies are concerned. Specifically:

- What constitues a sabbatical? What kind of programs

- What are the eligibilty criteria for sending people on sabbaticals?

- For how long can the employee be on the sabbatical?

- What is paid him/her while on sabbatical? salary? Benefits? what happens to ESOPS?

- When the employee comes back from his sabbatical, how is fitment of the employee done as far as compensation and new role are concerned?

- Is the employee told in advance before he goes on his sabbatical what his new role will be once he comes back?

- What are the conditions attached to the sabbatical program?

-What kind of career planning is done for the employee before he chooses to go on a sabbatical?

-what happens if the employee resigns from the company during his sabbatical? what recovery is done?

Well me thinks these are quite a lot of questions to start off with! I'll be thankful for any help you folks can provide.

With best regards,

Murali