Every employer should provide employees with opportunities to enhance their professional competencies. This allows them to achieve and maintain both the motivation and development of both employees and the organization itself.
An employee's first steps
It should be noted that to obtain any development opportunities, an employee should first determine the specific actions they should take to improve their professional qualifications. They should then seek the employer's consent to improve their professional qualifications (it is assumed that this consent can be expressed through any behavior that sufficiently demonstrates the employer's will). However, the reverse situation may occur – that is, the improvement of qualifications may occur at the employer's initiative.
It's worth noting that for periods of professional development (either at the employer's initiative or with their consent), employees are entitled to training leave and time off from all or part of their workday, for the time necessary to attend mandatory classes on time and for their duration. The employee retains the right to remuneration during these periods.
Training leave
An employee improving their professional qualifications is entitled to training leave in the amount of:
- 6 days – for an employee taking extramural examinations, the secondary school leaving examination and the examination confirming vocational qualifications or a professional examination;
- 21 days – in the last year of studies to prepare a diploma thesis and prepare for and take the diploma examination.
Contract and additional benefits
The employee and employer should enter into a written agreement regulating mutual rights and obligations related to the employee's professional development. However, this is not a necessary condition unless the employer intends to oblige the employee to remain employed after completing the professional development program.
It should be noted that the employer may grant such an employee additional benefits – intended to compensate for training fees or other fees related to improving professional qualifications.
Cost reimbursement
A key question employees ask when it comes to improving their professional skills is whether they'll have to repay the money. The answer is that it all depends on how you and your employer agree. However, as a rule, an employee who decides to terminate their employment contract early will be required to reimburse their employer for at least a portion of the costs incurred in improving their professional skills.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Legal status as of January 10, 2025
author:
Be the first to receive our articles and legal alerts, straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletter by clicking the link or contact us at social@kglegal.pl to personalize your content.
