At Protiviti, we believe meaningful growth happens not only through our work, but through the experiences that shape us along the way. Our Sabbatical Program gives eligible employees the opportunity to step away from their day‑to‑day roles and invest time in personal passions, learning, reflection, and renewal.
As a continuation of our Sabbatical Series, we are spotlighting Madison Urech, a Manager on our Inclusion team. What began as a need to recharge, became a transformative break that reminded her of the power of teamwork, timing, and creating space for the things that matter most.
Protiviti: What inspired you/motivated you to take a sabbatical? Did you have any specific reasons for choosing the timing of your sabbatical?
Madison: I didn’t know that I was even able to take a Sabbatical being on our Business Operations team, but when I saw my People & Culture lead take one, I knew it was something I wanted to do too. I was in a dual role supporting Protiviti and Robert Half and was starting to feel a little bit of burn out due to a combination of working two roles, being promoted and taking on additional responsibility.
Protiviti: Once you had your sabbatical scheduled, you had a whole year to plan. Did you notice a change in your approach to work after it was scheduled?
Madison: I did. Knowing I was going to take a three-month sabbatical, I felt re-energized. It was something to look forward to, something I was working towards. From a personal perspective, I wanted to get away from the details of my work, rediscover my passions and why I’m passionate about the work I do.
Protiviti: What did you do?
Madison: I traveled for the full three months and had family and friends join me at different points of the trip. I had quality time with my husband, in-laws, some of my close childhood friends and some extended family. I enjoyed taking in different cultures, stretching my boundaries and have new experiences that loosely align to my career. I live in the suburbs, so being exposed to different things, like city life, really put myself out of my comfort zone. It was really special to get to do it with family and friends.
Protiviti: Where did you travel to?
Madison: I started by taking an Alaskan cruise with my whole extended family on my Mom’s side, stayed in Seattle for 2 weeks visiting my childhood best friend and then went to Europe where I visited Paris, London, Barcelona and Mallorca. My husband, his family and friends all tagged in at different times. I finished up the final leg of my sabbatical visiting Charleston, Philadelphia and New York City.
Protiviti: In what ways did you grow personally and professionally during your experience?
Madison: Every couple of weeks I found a new appreciation for home, which I was not expecting. There is a lot going on all the time and in my line of work as an Inclusion Manager, it can be hard to turn off. Being away from home and unplugging, I was able to see all the good things going on around the world and in my life. I found appreciation for the little things.
I’ve always put everyone above myself which took a toll on my own well-being. This sabbatical allowed me to be intentional about how I spend my time and bring balance to the things that fill my cup. When I came back, this influenced how I schedule my days because I before, I was never the priority. I now make sure to carve out time for myself like take a workout class, prioritize eating well and getting good sleep.
I’ve seen impacts of this professionally too. I’m more present in my work and show up energized. As a leader, it’s important to model this balance. I make sure to take a lunch break away from my desk, something I didn’t do before. It may be a small adjustment to my work schedule, but it’s made a difference. I find myself more productive being able to step away and can come back to my work with a clear mind.
Protiviti: For colleagues considering taking a sabbatical, are there any specific preparations or mindset shift that made for a successful experience?
Madison: I was very supported by my team which helped me feel less guilty about leaving. I carry the weight of the world and my work with me with everything I do, so knowing that my team had my back reminded me how lucky I am to work on a team that supports each other. This helped me step away with confidence.
I’m a planner, so going into the sabbatical having an open mind and an open-ended plan was also helpful. I didn’t set expectations for myself either. Getting the opportunity to take a sabbatical like this was not in my life plan, and I recognize that taking advantage of this benefit is a huge privilege and I wanted to do right by it, letting life happen, experiencing whatever came along the way.
Madison’s story is a reminder that stepping away – intentionally and without guilt can create the space we need to return with clearer priorities, renewed energy, and a stronger sense of balance. Protiviti’s sabbatical benefit is designed to support that kind of growth, and we encourage eligible team members to explore how time away could help them invest in what matters most and return ready for what’s next.
