What do you need to do to keep your business afloat if you need to take some emergency time off work or are considering a short-term career break? Philip Clayton investigates

For many garden designers, especially those who are small business owners or sole traders, the idea of taking a career break seems risky. Indeed, it may be hard to see how it could even be possible. Despite this, every year in Britain, 90,000 people take time out, and a LinkedIn survey has shown that 62 per cent of employees have had a break from work at some point in their careers. 

If stepping away temporarily from work is through personal choice (perhaps to start a family, to travel or study, to gain a new outlook, to get involved with a special project, or to simply re-evaluate your career), careful planning in advance can help you gain many benefits from a career break. 

The situation may differ if you work for a practice. While not mandatory, some employers have a sabbatical policy where a structured, temporary break while you are employed is possible (time-off paid or unpaid) and still have a job to return to. It is important to know that arrangements regarding your return are not legally binding; you cannot take action if your employer decides not to bring you back. 

Emergency breaks
Accidents, serious health issues, and family matters are a different proposition; they can happen suddenly and completely alter your priorities. If you are an employee (check your employment status), initially you can request emergency leave (typically unpaid) to deal with the immediate problem; there is no set time as it depends on the emergency. After that you can request one week off per year to care for a dependant with a long-term care need, known as unpaid carer’s leave. This may buy you valuable time to put other care measures in place; the key part is to give your employer as much notice as possible. 

For self-employed and sole traders particularly, the situation is inevitably more complicated but as illness and unexpected changes in circumstances are, sadly, something anyone can face at any time, taking steps to prepare for such an eventuality is common sense. For more advice, see the Emergency Break Checklist on page 39.

As life often takes unexpected turns for all of us, it is sensible to spend time thinking about what you might do in certain circumstances and to find out what options you have. Regardless of your needs and intentions, those who have taken time out agree that planning is vital, with considerations to make before, during and after the break.

‘ANY CAREER BREAK, I THINK, EXPANDS YOUR OUTLOOK AND DEEPENS YOUR UNDERSTANDING.’

Challenges and great outcomes
Even with great planning, expect challenges. Many designers we spoke to mentioned struggling to rebuild a reduced client base on their return to work, as well as the loss of income during the break. Being away from what you know best can also make you feel a little lost at times, but the long-term benefits are often worth the struggle. Dr Sophia Andreski (see page 39) found the experience overwhelmingly positive. ‘The knowledge, perspective, and new circle of friends and colleagues I gained have been invaluable. It’s improved both my working style and my income. Any career break, I think, expands your outlook and deepens your understanding – it ultimately makes you a better designer and a more rounded professional.’ 

Case study: Getting back to gardening
A long career break was not garden designer Samantha Brown MSGLD’s intention, but an opportunity dropped into her lap which she realised she needed to take. 

‘My husband and I moved to the Brecon Beacons and started to renovate a cottage. Initially, I planned to take on fewer design jobs while we found our feet, concentrating on the house and overseeing its renovation, but what started as a six-month break turned into three years. One day, the manager of the estate next door asked if I would consider the role of head gardener there, as their previous one had left. It was a sudden decision, but I also saw an opportunity to get back into proper gardening after many years of being behind the drawing board. I never planned to take a break from design but realised I needed to fall back in love with horticulture.’

Case study: A career break for self-improvement
Dr Sophia Andreski, a Friend of the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD) used her career break to make the transition from struggling garden designer to qualified landscape architect.

‘My career break was focused on education, self-improvement and a change of direction. I studied for a Masters in Landscape Architecture, an exciting, rewarding course that gave me new perspectives, valuable connections, and a life-changing experience. Earning my qualification in landscape architecture allowed me to move into public-realm work, which broadened my design perspective beyond private gardens. More importantly, the experience deepened my environmental awareness. I came away with a stronger conviction that the environment should be at the heart of every design decision – it’s the guiding force behind everything I create now.’

Case study: Taking time to self-heal
Garden designer Michelle Brandon MSGLD used her time out from work to overcome personal loss by helping others through horticultural therapy.

‘My brother tragically passed away in 2017. To survive that loss, I knew I needed to return to horticultural therapy so I took up a position at Springfield Hospital in Tooting, seeking solace in a place where I could help people who were facing challenges greater than my own. Being surrounded by plants and supporting others became both grounding and restorative, allowing me to process my grief while making a difference in people’s lives. On returning to garden design, I created The Forest Will See You Now at RHS Hampton Court in 2019, which was inspired by my time at the hospital. I’ve learned to go with your gut, as it’s almost always leading you to where you’re meant to be.’  

CAREER BREAK CHECKLIST

Before the break
Decide what you want – How long will you need (career breaks last more than two months), when will you leave (can you pick a quiet time?) and when will you return? If you work as part of a team, will you stay in touch during your time off? 

Plan your time off – Work out what you hope to achieve, set goals and create a timeline. Garden designer George Daniel Long MSGLD is currently enjoying a well-considered break. ‘I completed my Masters in Horticulture and I’ve taken on an MSc in Global Environment and Sustainability. I’ve also become a Professional Associate for the Royal Horticultural Society, freelancing as a Lead Examiner.’ 

Amanda Grimes, a pre-registered member of the SGLD, sounds a note of caution following her own six-year hiatus from garden design. ‘Make sure you have a way back in. You need a plan and a time limit, and the determination not to let your temporary new way of life take over.’

Discuss your plans with employers or business partners – Be prepared for the discussion; think about what you may be asked. How will your workload be managed? Will your time out benefit the business? Detail your plans and eventual return.

Work out finances – Make a list of regular expenses such as insurances, rental payments (for example if you rent office space), subscriptions and software renewals. Pay off contractors and consider settling outstanding debt. Put together a budget for your break so the money does not run out; you may need to save first to finance the time off. Factor in National Insurance and pension contributions. You may find you have paid too much tax through PAYE deductions, which can be returned via your employer or an adjustment to your tax code. Financial circumstances differ wildly so the best advice is to discuss your situation with a financial advisor before you leave work.

Be prepared – Business coach Denise Quinlan, of The Insightful Collective, which is an Affiliated Business Partner of the SGLD, recommends compiling a customer journey document. ‘Create a pathway of how you liaise with clients, a sort of guide to “what happens when”, and include details of contracts and invoices. This is good business practice; it’s essentially a back-up plan that colleagues can turn to if you are unavailable,’ she says.  

Delegating work can enable less-experienced team members to gain new skills and prepare them for future roles within a practice. ‘Succession planning isn’t only about the long term. It’s about ensuring your business has depth and structure now, so it’s not dependent on you, which makes it more resilient,’ Denise comments. 

If you are a sole trader, consider referring new clients to trusted designers, but do complete existing projects yourself, to avoid financial and legal issues that may be created by sharing work. ‘I’d want to understand the full situation before advising here,’ says Denise. ‘Every practice is unique, so speak with a qualified accountant, solicitor or financial advisor who can look at the details and guide you.’

Manage your client list – Denise suggests you tell your clients that you are taking on ‘limited new work’ or have ‘limited availability’ for a period of time. ‘That way,’ she says, ‘you can manage expectations and hold onto the best projects, creating a curated waiting list. Before leaving, have initial conversations with clients and make site visits to set wheels in motion, while being upfront about timeframes. When you return, the cupboard won’t be bare, and the first projects will be ones you enjoy.’

Notify important contractors – Let contractors know your intentions, when you plan to return, and give them the details of anyone they may need to liaise with in your absence.

During the break
Continue to network – Maintain visibility on social media and your website, and attend industry events, as this helps to reduce the chances of having a
non-existent client list on your return. 

Networking may be a challenge: Amanda Grimes’s career break was sudden and enforced, and she decided to disconnect completely: ‘I loved design and horticulture, but it was painful to see what the industry and designers were doing, what I was missing.’

Record achievements and experiences – Take control of your development; keep a diary of key events documenting what you have gained from your experiences. 

Learn new skills, or do voluntary work – Boost and diversify your CV by learning new skills, and enrich your life experience working on projects you would not normally consider or have time for, be they horticulture-related or not. 

Stay in touch with clients and contractors – Send occasional emails to reassure clients, and update contractors.

Prepare a back-up plan – It is possible unforeseen circumstances, such as an economic downturn, may affect the industry and with it, your chances of returning. Have a ‘Plan B’ in reserve.

Take time to reflect – Consider your career goals; you may decide your career break should be a career change. 

Update your CV and LinkedIn profile – Prior to returning to work, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and amend your CV, highlighting the benefits of your break.

On your return
Sell your career break – Be prepared to answer questions about your break to any employers; highlight life-enhancing events such as charity work, and skills you have acquired.

Relaunch – If you are re-establishing your previous business, plan the relaunch in advance, to build momentum. Contact clients and contractors to let them know you are back. You may want to refresh business cards, email signatures and mastheads to reflect any new ethos.

CHECKLIST FOR TAKING AN EMERGENCY BREAK

For those who are self-employed
Plan ahead and have a contingency plan in place – Illness and sudden changes of circumstances can affect anyone at any time. If you are self-employed, formulate a plan in case of emergency: to whom might you outsource work and on what basis? Have you got any financial safeguards in place? A business emergency fund is essential if you are unable to work, or insurance to cover illness or injury; it is good business sense to plan for these so talk to a financial advisor sooner rather than later. You will want the policy to cover, among other things, income protection; payments for office rents, subscriptions and professional fees, and dues to fellow professionals such as your accountant and/or financial advisor; daily living costs, including your mortgage; and pension payments.

Communicate with clients and check contract details – Let clients know the situation and offer a revised timeline as soon as possible. If contracts have been signed, know your responsibilities; freelance help or a sub-contractor may be required. See also various points in the Career Break Checklist on page 38.

For those working as an employee
Keep your employer well informed – Contact your employer when the problem arises. Explain your situation, estimate how long you may need away, and try to reach an agreement. A short-term solution may, for example, involve time working from home. It is important to keep your employer up to date with developments while you are away.

Know your rights – Employees are entitled to time off in special circumstances; these are your statutory rights. You can also ask for extra time, but your employer does not have to agree. As well as emergency leave and unpaid carer’s leave, you also have parental rights if the situation involves your children. Check your contract.

Consider taking your (paid) holiday – If you need more time, taking holiday can buy you the extra days needed to stabilise a situation; getting a care package in place for someone who is unwell, or help for an elderly parent suddenly unable to cope alone, for example.

USEFUL RESOURCES

• careershifters.org – for advice on career breaks, sabbaticals and career change
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, cipd.org – search ‘career breaks’
• citizensadvice.org.uk – check your rights as an employee 
• fdmgroup.com/news-insights/reasons-to-take-a-career-break 
• nationalcareers.service.gov.uk – useful advice for returning to work after a break
• ipse.co.uk, the Self-Employed Association (formerly PCG, which was formed to protest against the IR35 tax legislation), a not-for-profit association dedicated to the self-employed, offering resources, protection, a community and support 
• uk.indeed.com – ten tips on getting back into work after a career break
• unbiased.co.uk/discover/personal-finance/family/taking-a-career-break – for points to consider if taking a career break