The number of people taking a break from their careers has risen by 20% over the past four years. The figures come from the Federal Employment Service and were quoted in the daily ‘Het Belang van Limburg’.

236,000 Belgians took a career break last year.

So-called “time credits” whereby an employee can opt to either take a part or full-time break from work during a given period are the most popular form of career break.

However parental leave is also gaining popularity with more and more parents deciding to take time out to stay at home and look after their kids.

Around two thirds of all people taking a career break are women.

Women are more likely to be prepared to put their career on the backburner than men.

According to the human resources consultancy SD Worx, the number of people applying to take a career break is likely to increase as a result of the current economic crisis.

Moreover, the fact that there is less work means that employers are more likely to accept career-break requests.

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