THE job of a PA is never done. Each day brings a new set of problems to solve and the wheel keeps on turning.

But what happens if you want to step off for a while and take a sabbatical? According to a 2003 survey by UK Graduate Careers, a growing number of prospective employees are looking for the opportunity to do this, and a company's flexibility now features higher up on the agenda than the salary it offers.

Nevertheless, sabbaticals are hardly common practice and - unless officially stated in a contract of employment - are owed to no one.

Helen Rice-Birchall, an employment solicitor at the law firm Last Cawthra Feather, explains: "There is no statutory obligation for any employer to offer sabbatical leave. The only exemption is certain pressures employers might feel under race discrimination - for example, if an employee were called back to Pakistan for an indeterminate amount of time because a family member had died."

This aside, non-contractual sabbatical leave would have to be arranged by request. But many people are justly concerned about asking, especially as, in the case of a PA where the relationship is often one-to-one, it could be interpreted as uncommitted.

But this close relationship could be what persuades a manager to give their PA a free rein, says Rachael Moss, at the office staffing service Select Appointments.

"A PA is more than just staff for many managers - she is their memory bank, personal organiser and right-hand assistant rolled into one.

"This value, alongside the cost of hiring a new person for the job, might mean that the sabbatical is worth honouring."

The most common way of taking a sabbatical is to have your contract terminated and then another drawn up on your return.

Moss continues: "Very few companies offer sabbaticals as part of a contract - there is no current skills shortage and no requirement for it. The companies that might offer contractual sabbaticals tend to be larger ones that also offer very structured reward-and-recognition programmes."

Many different types of people choose to take a sabbatical for many different reasons. Some are in their early 20s and want to get the travel bug out of their system before settling down. Others are in their late 40s or 50s and are unable to hold out for retirement before taking a break.

For anyone who is in need or a change, a sabbatical is worth considering.

If your employer is not prepared to support you on the venture, at least becoming a PA or secretary can herald options.

"Becoming a professional temp is very feasible," Moss says. "You can be committed from, say, September to April and have the summer to do what you want.

"Whether it is to go travelling or watch Wimbledon - you don't have to justify yourself to anyone."