Educational Leave Before End - Inquiries at AK Increased
Many therefore turn to the Chamber of Labour, which is currently receiving significantly more requests for consultations, as Silvia Hofbauer, head of the Labour Market and Integration department of the AK Vienna, reported in an interview with the APA.
There is a particular need for advice among employees who have educational leave in prospect and where the educational measures are due to start in 2025. But there are also many people who are still considering educational leave as long as it is possible, says Hofbauer.
Advice and Reassurance
As a basic principle, Hofbauer advises taking precautions before making an agreement in the current situation. "If you agree on educational leave with your employer, a so-called reservation clause should be concluded. This means that the leave should only come into effect if educational money is actually due. This would make it possible to withdraw." In addition, no binding contracts should currently be negotiated with education providers and no advance payments should be made.
For employees who are currently on educational leave, Hofbauer gives the all-clear. It is not to be expected that active contracts will be interfered with if educational leave is actually abolished. "We also consider such a thing to be unconstitutional. If this were to happen, we would support people with a legal remedy procedure."
Inquiries about Educational Leave
At the Public Employment Service (AMS), which is responsible for handling educational leave, there are no nationwide uniform data on the number of inquiries. Therefore, it is not possible to answer how much higher the demand for educational leave is currently, the AMS told the APA. However, according to a report by ORF Vienna last week, inquiries have recently increased by 25 percent in the federal capital.
An end to educational leave would not affect the AMS's budget for active labour market policy, as the leave is paid for separately by the public sector. Last year, the state spent approximately 640 million euros on educational leave, including money for further education and part-time education, as well as funds from unemployment insurance, according to AMS data. The Ministry of Labour and Economics estimates that this year will cost around 631 million euros, with the ministry expecting 653 million euros for 2026. In 2027, it would then be an estimated 667 million euros, should the measure be maintained.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.