Edmunds.com Launches Employee Sabbatical Program as Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed Pursues Travel Dreams

Edmunds.com Launches Employee Sabbatical Program as Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed Pursues Travel Dreams

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — March 22, 2012 — Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information and winner of multiple outstanding workplace awards, today wished safe travels to Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed, the first employee to take part in the company's new sabbatical program. The program, which Edmunds.com introduced late last year, allows any employee with 10 or more years of service to take an extended paid leave to pursue personal or professional enrichment opportunities.

Mr. Reed, who is recognized as one of the country's foremost experts in the automotive sales process, will pursue his travel dreams over the next four months while receiving half of his salary. His colleagues are prepared to effectively cover his workload until his return in July, when he'll be recharged to bring even more to his job after focusing on valuable life experiences without the pressures of work.

"I will be studying Spanish in Buenos Aires while living with a family — almost like being back in college again," says Mr. Reed. "Once I get a few weeks of language under my belt I'll head through the Andes to Santiago and possibly Patagonia. I've always wanted to become proficient in a foreign language, and as a writer, I hope that learning another language will give me new insight into my own."

Two other employees have also been approved to take sabbaticals this year: Executive Director of Human Resources Jack O'Laughlin plans to volunteer in Japan with earthquake and tsunami relief, while Ray Sibulkin, Executive Director of Business Analytics, intends to write a book on baseball analytics, which stems from statistical work that runs parallel to what he does for Edmunds.com. Mr. O'Laughlin and Mr. Sibulkin will each take two months off work at full pay through the program.

Edmunds.com launched the sabbatical program to provide long-term employees with an opportunity to take a paid leave of absence to engage in personal or professional development activities that have a positive impact on the employee and the company.

"This is an amazing chance to accomplish some life goals that I've been chasing for several decades," says Mr. Reed. "Most people wait to do these kinds of things when they retire but I am glad to have the opportunity to allow the experience to inspire my future work at Edmunds.com."

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Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its acclaimed mobile site, Edmunds.com Android App and five-star Edmunds iPhone and iPad apps make car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and on the go. Its automotive enthusiast web site, InsideLine.com, is the most-read car publication of its kind. Its highly regarded mobile site and iPhone app features the wireless Web's most comprehensive gallery of automotive photos and videos. Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook.