Currently my company has no policy in place for allowing paid time off for individuals who are studying for professional qualifications. What is the 'norm' in your company?
1. Do you only give study leave for exams?
2.Do you allow time off to work on assignments/presentations for college?
3. Is the time allowed always paid?
4. Do you expect individuals to take holiday time for studying?
5. Is the study time allowed in ratio to how long the course is?
6. Do you allow any time during working hours to complete assignments etc?
I would be grateful if anyone is willing to send me a copy of their policy.
Thanks
Joanne McMeekin
4 Responses
Study leave
Hi Joanne
My experience is that study leave is given based on the number of exams to be taken ie 1 or .5 days per exam not to exceed 5 days in any given semester/year. This coupled with the actual exam time is deemed to be the norm and sufficient (full pay). Time for weekday seminars is also given (full pay). Any other time taken outside these areas are taken from individuals holiday entitlement. All dates for leave should be subject to manager approval to avoid a situation where a number of staff are under exams at the same time. I hope this helps but should you need any more assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jannette McAllister
Training & Development Specialist
Study Leave Entitlement
Our organisation allows paid time off for those studying for professional qualifications funded by the business only.
If you’re funding your own, you would need to use your holiday entitlement for time off or agree unpaid leave with your manager.
In answer to your questions:
1) We give up to 5 days paid study leave per year, plus time off for the exam day(s)and/or workshop days. Extra unpaid study leave is at the discretion of the line manager or head of dept.
2) The 5 days study leave as described in 1) can and should be used for that purpose.
3) See 1)
4) Not necessarily, but employees are expected to demonstrate an appropriate amount of commitment outside of work hours to achieve the qualification, given the investment made by the organisation.
5) No – its a fixed amount for all levels.
6) At the line manager’s discretion, but the college work must not interfere with day to day work.
Hope that helps you!
policy
If you would like to drop me an e-mail to anne@humanresourcesolutions.co.uk, I will be happy to forward you a copy of our policy on study leave.
Regards
Anne O’Hare
Why not ask the professional institutes
Many professional institutes offer suggested training programmes for students of their qualification, covering not only study leave but suggested management of their on-the-job training as well, some even going so far as to offer some kind of certification of the study package offered by the employer, certified by the institute.
It should go without saying that any policy you choose to adopt should not only meet the needs of students taking professional exams (whether or not they are directly funded by the company) but that such provision can be met within the day-to-day needs of the business.