DJ DiDonna, a Harvard Business School senior lecturer and former start-up co-founder, is advocating for the broader adoption of sabbaticals as a transformative tool for employees and employers alike. Drawing on his personal experience and extensive research, DiDonna has written a new book, *Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals, and How to Take One*, which explores the benefits of extended time away from work.
DiDonna’s interest in sabbaticals began in his early thirties, when despite his global travels and running a business focused on supporting entrepreneurs in emerging markets, he felt disconnected and dissatisfied. His solution was to take a four-month sabbatical, part of which he spent trekking a 900-mile pilgrimage route in Japan. According to DiDonna, the experience was both intensely memorable and life-changing, reshaping how he viewed himself and his work.
Since then, DiDonna has spent more than a decade promoting sabbaticals within corporate America and beyond. He notes a substantial increase in companies offering sabbatical policies, nearly doubling between 2019 and 2024. Long-standing advocates include major firms like Intel, which has provided sabbaticals to employees for over 30 years.
On a recent video call, DiDonna emphasized that sabbaticals are not just a luxury but an essential component of a fulfilling life. He suggests that employees can make a compelling case to hesitant employers by framing sabbaticals as a strategic investment. Drawing on remarks by Warren Buffett, DiDonna explained that time can disadvantage mediocre companies but benefits those with long-term vision. He also highlighted parallels between sabbaticals and other forms of employee absence, such as parental leave or turnover, urging companies to develop policies that accommodate extended breaks more flexibly.
Returnees from sabbaticals often bring renewed energy, creativity, and engagement to their workplaces, DiDonna noted, which makes the case for sabbaticals even stronger. He recommends a minimum sabbatical length of six to eight weeks for meaningful impact.
DiDonna did not return to his start-up after his sabbatical but instead launched The Sabbatical Project in 2019 to support research and provide resources for individuals and organizations considering extended leave. His book categorizes sabbatical participants into three groups: explorers, who focus on travel and new experiences; achievers, who plan ambitious projects like writing books or learning new skills; and seekers, who use the time for introspection and reconnecting with personal interests.
He advises starting a sabbatical with a period of rest and minimal planning—a “beat”—to allow space for reflection and renewal. A key practice he recommends is maintaining a journal throughout the sabbatical, describing it as a form of meditation that helps individuals gain perspective away from routine demands. DiDonna stresses that even if the sabbatical does not go as planned, the experience itself fosters growth.
Citing data on generational attitudes, DiDonna pointed out that younger workers, particularly Gen Z, prioritize experiences, purpose, flexibility, and mission over compensation. His advocacy for sabbaticals aligns with a broader movement toward more humane workplace policies, addressing a culture—especially in the United States—that has historically struggled with employees taking time off, even when entitled to it.