Break in service refers to the interruption or discontinuation of an individual's employment or participation in a particular organization or field for a period of time. It signifies the cessation of an active working relationship and the subsequent resumption of employment or engagement after a hiatus.
In employment contexts, a break in service can occur due to various reasons such as a voluntary resignation, termination, layoff, sabbatical, or personal leave of absence taken by an employee. During this break, the individual is no longer actively working for the employer and is not entitled to receive employment-related benefits or compensation.
Upon the individual's return to the organization or field, the break in service is officially ended, marking the resumption of their employment or participation. This often entails going through a rehiring process that may involve a new contract, orientation, training, or reintegration into the work or field setting.
Break in service is a concept often used in pension or retirement plans, where a certain length of continuous service may be required for an employee to qualify for retirement benefits. If the individual's employment is interrupted or discontinued during their career, the break in service might affect their eligibility or calculation of pension benefits.
Overall, break in service refers to a temporary interruption or cessation of an individual's continuous employment or participation in a particular organization or field, highlighting the temporary discontinuation of active working arrangements and the subsequent resumption of engagement after a period of time.
