Digital learning and study leave
We will allow time, within working hours, for the completion of any mandatory digital or blended learning. Some courses require digital learning before the course begins. Managers will aim to aid the completion of this.
Best practice digital learning which is not mandatory, but is beneficial, may occur within working hours. We will identify this in a performance and development appraisal. Employees will agree best practice learning with managers.
If digital learning cannot take place within working hours, employees can do it at home.
Study leave
If employees are doing qualifications funded by us, we will agree to paid time off to attend the place of study.
Details of this are in our professional development learner agreement.
In addition to time off to attend, some qualifications require periods of study leave. Employees can request a study leave if preparing for exams. Their manager must agree to their leave.
Study leave for revision is allowed during the two weeks before the exams. Study leave covers the duration of the exams. This applies to first attempts only.
Line managers will determine an employee's study leave, taking all relevant factors into account.
Books and study material
If employees need specific books for study, we will purchase them. This will happen if there is no copy available in the service area. Employees must first check if it is available from a library.
Once the study is complete, these resources are council property. They will remain in the service area.
If employees wish to keep the book, they can buy it from us at the original price.
Reimbursement of professional subscriptions
We will pay for subscription costs for membership of a national, regional or area professional organisation. It must have a direct benefit to council work.
Managers must approve any such cost in advance. Employees should check that the subscription qualifies with their manager first. We do not pay subscription costs where we do not support membership.
When we approve a subscription, employees must submit the invoice to their manager. This is for the council to pay directly.
Membership of the organisation must be of benefit to the council:
- as a requirement of the job
- or, by providing an employee with up-to-date information of use in your role
We will not pay for individual employee subscriptions to associations of which we are already a member. We will allow exceptions where individual membership provides employees with job-related information not available through our membership.
Employees should check if we are a corporate member of the organisation first. We may be able to get a reduction in fees.
The organisation must not be political or a Trade Union. It must not be a part of the improvement of pay, status and conditions of service of its members.
We do not approve membership fees for more than one association. This is unless the duties of a post span more than one discipline. In this case, there may be a need to gain membership of two associations. We will consider the availability of advice from other professional sources.
We do not cover subscriptions costs when our financial burden is excessive.
Cancellation or non-attendance of learning events
It is an inconvenience and incurs cost when participants fail to attend learning events. This is for both internal and external events.
Employees must give at least three working days' notice of cancellation. This allows their place to be allocated to another employee.
Without a valid reason, we will charge a late cancellation fee to the service area. For internal events we will not charge due to:
- family emergency
- illness
- the team needing critical or essential cover
- technical issues, for example, poor internet connection or equipment failure
- transport difficulties at short notice
We are not in control of charges for cancellation of external learning events. The service area will pay the cancellation charges incurred.