The Pause that Refreshes: A Study of Self-Funded Leave

Abstract

Self­funded leave programmes provide a time resource to employees so that they can pursue interests outside their normal employment. This article reports the results of qualitative research conducted on 16 workers who completed a self­funded leave programme. Semi­structured interviews were used to explore participants’ motivations to enrol in the self­funded leave programme, how the leave contributed to work­life balance through development of non­work life roles, and difficulties that arose during participation in the self­funded leave programme. Results reveal that participants did use self­ funded leave to improve their work­life balance and augment other life­roles. However, unpredicted events influenced how the leave time was actually used, which was often different from original plans and goals. Adult transition theory is used to conceptualize the process of participating in self­funded leave and to suggest how employees who undertake self­funded leave can be best supported by employers.