Future of educational leave in danger: What is the case for employees now?

The future of educational leave looks bleak! The discussions between the FPÖ and ÖVP parties about possible cuts in the training break heat up. According to krone.at , many working people and companies fear that the educational leave that has been proven for years could soon be abolished. This measure enables employees to continue their education for a certain time without having to give up their jobs. But not everyone sees educational leave as the optimal solution, especially because in the past it has also been misused by some to extend parental leave.

high costs and uncertain use

According to a report by the Court of Auditors, the cost of educational leave in 2023 was around 512 million euros, with 337 million euros in the AMS (labor market service). Economic and labor market experts complain about the lack of accuracy of the measure: it is unclear to what extent the educational leave really offers added value for the labor market. In the negotiations on the government program, the educational leave was a hot topic, since FPÖ and ÖVP consider it too expensive. The demand for educational leave has already been skyrocketed, since many people try to use the remaining possibilities before a new draft law may cancel the measure, as