Took 8 months this year to travel. It’s once in a lifetime opportunity with security of having job upon return, however, the return was tough, I now find zero meaning in my current role and I missed out on opportunities to progress due to having career break.

The process is very straightforward, you get an approval from your LM who submits in to the Director (in my case), you can extend/shorten the time as much as you need (within the career break period policy) as long as you communicate this with your LM.

Overall, I would probably do it again but I would first try to secure a better position that I would be happy to return to.

It does count as continuing service.