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Should you wait until retirement to travel the world, train for that half-marathon you’ve set your sights on or volunteer for a local charity? This clashes with many young people’s notion of a healthy work-life balance, leading to a new career trend encouraged by social media: micro-retirement.
“Micro-retirement is a kind of career break or work hiatus,” says Marlene Pöhlmann, a careers expert for the Germany-based recruitment agency Robert Half.
It is typically taken between jobs, but for several months and not just two or three weeks – time enough to travel, give your family your all, or take up new hobbies.
“Instead of having retirement at the end of their [continuous] working life, employees deliberately insert interruptions,” Pöhlmann says.

This distinguishes it from a sabbatical, in which an employee is granted an extended absence by their employer. They often take a salary cut in that period.
Pöhlmann points to several reasons why concepts such as micro-retirement appeal to Generation Z, generally defined as people born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s. First, they prioritise a satisfying work-life balance, mental well-being and personal fulfilment.
Secondly, the working world has changed – career paths are not as rigid as they once were. “Younger employees in particular often have 10 or more employers in their employment histories,” she says.
What’s more, a pension “for many younger employees is a promise they don’t know will be kept”. Many also worry that their best years will be behind them by the time they retire.
There’s no simple answer to how taking periodic, extended employment timeouts will affect your career. Various risks need to be considered, Pöhlmann says. In some countries, for example, having a gapless employment history is still the norm.

She also warns that micro-retirees can miss out on possible promotions. Being at the right place at the right time can be very important, and “if you’re not around as much, you’re not seen as much”.
On the other hand, micro-retirement gives you more time to invest in yourself, such as your soft skills, adaptability and creativity.
Whether extended breaks between jobs affects your career often depends in part on how closely your work-life-balance expectations mesh with those in your field or those of a specific employer.
The first big question should be, ‘Do I really want to do this?’
Marlene Pöhlmann, careers expert
Extended breaks in traditional fields, for example the financial industry, legal profession or engineering, are generally frowned upon, says Pöhlmann.
The IT sector can be more liberal in this regard, not least because of the serious shortage of qualified personnel.
And in the creative professions, she notes, taking time off between jobs tends to be normal.
If you’re contemplating micro-retirement, it is important to carefully think through possible consequences.
“The first big question should be, ‘Do I really want to do this?’” Pöhlmann says. More questions follow, above all: “Can I afford it?” People who leave their jobs generally need savings.
You should also work out ahead of time how it will impact your health insurance and pension scheme. In any case, you should have a clear plan of how you’ll spend your time off and what you’ll do afterwards.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


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Why ‘micro-retirement’ and work-life balance appeal to Gen Z and millennials

Instead of having retirement at the end of their continuous working life, more employees are choosing to deliberately insert interruptions.
Photo: Shutterstock

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Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

A rising workplace trend involves employees taking months-long career breaks while they are still young and active


A rising workplace trend involves employees taking months-long career breaks while they are still young and active.


Why ‘micro-retirement’ and work-life balance appeal to Gen Z and millennials

A rising workplace trend involves employees taking months-long career breaks while they are still young and active

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