[dougmwne]

You both seem to be making the exact same point from different directions. Being a burnt out husk is terrible for your career and work performance. You both feel like the sabbaticals are restoring the life side of the work-life balance. Therefore taking a break is actually enhancing your career. Just like sleeping at night helps you accomplish more during the day.

[newnewpdro]

Sabbaticals are beneficial in all sorts of ways, and it's possible those benefits may confer benefits to your profession.

It is not safe to assume those potential benefits will outweigh the substantial negatives of not participating in the competition while your peers continue without you.