For employees

Working and studying

It is not easy to work and study at the same time since both activities require concentration, attention and time. This matter is relevant to many working people. Studying is not simply limited to university studies – people seeking a career often go on business trips, attend training courses, as well as participate in longer-term informal education programs. Although balancing work and studies is typically viewed through the prism of prioritization and time management, the laws also take into account the need to balance professional life and education.

Article 137 of the Labour Code provides that employees studying under formal education programs are granted the following annual educational leave according to certificates issued by educational institutions providing the said programs:

1. To prepare for and take regular exams – 3 calendar days for each exam;
2. To prepare for and undergo assessments – 2 calendar days for each assessment;
3. To perform laboratory work and consult – for a number of days specified in the education plans and schedules;
4. To complete and defend the final thesis (bachelor’s, master’s), or dissertation, or art project – 30 calendar days;
5. To prepare for and take state (final) exams – 6 calendar days for each exam.

If you are participating in informal adult education programs, your employer should grant you up to 5 days off per year. To receive the said leave, you should notify your employer thereof at least 20 working days before the start of the requested leave. Employees whose employment relationship with the employer has lasted for more than 5 years shall be granted a leave of up to 10 working days per year for their professional development. At least half of the employee’s average salary shall be paid for these days.

You may be granted a creative leave of up to 12 months to pursue your creative or scientific endeavours. If agreed in advance with the employer, creative leave days may also be counted as working days for which annual leave is granted.

Of course, a less formal agreement with the employer may be sufficient in the event of completing short course assignments or participation in lectures slightly overlapping with your work schedule. At the request of the employee and with the consent of the employer, unpaid days off may be provided to the employee for personal reasons during his/her working day. Missed working hours shall be transferred to other working days, without violating the requirements of maximum working time and minimum rest time – with certain exceptions. However, you should not work more than 48 hours per week.

In terms of attending lectures, it is worth considering requesting your employer to enable you to work under a flexible work schedule – when you have to be present at your workplace during certain hours set by the employer, but may choose the start and end time of work according to your individual needs. Or you may request your employer to enable you to work under an individual work schedule, so that the intensity of your studies on specific days of the week does not affect your results at work and vice versa. Working remotely may also be a good solution, if the specifics of your job position permit it, as this would allow you to save time spent commuting to and from work and instead use it for your studies. This would also allow you to rest when necessary.