The savings period for sustainable employability hours varies per collective labour agreement and sector, but you can usually save these hours for 2 to 5 years. Many employees are uncertain about their rights and risks when saving these development hours. It is important to know the specific rules of your employment contract and to use your saved hours strategically so that you do not lose them.
What exactly are sustainable employability hours and why are they important?
Sustainable employability hours, Personal development hours (PD hours) are hours that employers make available for the development and training of employees. These hours are intended to help employees maintain their skills and develop new competencies that remain relevant to the labour market.
The legal background stems from the Balanced Labour Market Act, which encourages employers to invest in the sustainable deployment of their staff. For employees, this means access to education, training and coaching, without this being at the expense of their regular working hours or salary.
These hours are crucial because the labour market is constantly changing. New technologies, work processes and competency requirements make it necessary for employees to continue developing their knowledge and skills. By using PI hours, employees can proactively respond to changes and increase their career resilience.
There are various types of development hours, ranging from formal courses and training programmes to coaching and career guidance. The goal is always the same: to help employees remain relevant and employable, both in their current position and for future career opportunities.
How long can you actually save up your sustainable employability hours?
The accumulation period for PI hours varies between 2 and 5 years, depending on your collective labour agreement and employment contract. Most sectors apply a period of 3 years, but some collective labour agreements offer more flexibility. It is essential to consult your own collective labour agreement for the exact conditions.
Many collective labour agreements operate a system whereby hours expire after a certain period if they are not used. This prevents employers from accumulating unlimited obligations and encourages employees to actively pursue their development. Some sectors offer the option of partially transferring hours to the following year.
Practical examples of savings periods:
- Metalektro: 3 years of saving possible
- Healthcare and welfare: usually 2 years
- Government: often 5 years with partial transfer
- ICT sector: variable between 2 and 4 years
Unused hours usually expire automatically after the accrual period. Some employers offer a warning system, but this is not mandatory. It is therefore wise to keep track of when your hours expire and to make plans for using them in good time.
What happens to your accrued hours when you change jobs?
Accumulated PI hours are usually non-transferable to a new employer. When you are dismissed or change jobs, you will usually lose your accumulated hours, unless your collective labour agreement or employment contract stipulates otherwise. This makes it even more important to use your development hours strategically.
When changing jobs within the same organisation, your accumulated hours are usually retained. This also applies to transfers between different branches of the same company. The exact rules vary from organisation to organisation, so always check with your HR department.
There are several steps you can take to protect your rights during career transitions. Ask your current employer about the possibility of using up any remaining hours before you leave. Some employers allow you to use up any accumulated hours for development activities during your notice period.
It is also wise to inquire about development opportunities at your new employer during job interviews. This will allow you to assess whether your loss of PI hours will be compensated by new opportunities. Some employers offer new employees an additional development budget as part of their employment conditions package.
How can you ensure that your accumulated PI hours are not lost?
Keeping track of your PI hours requires a proactive attitude and good planning. Make an overview of your available hours, expiry dates and development needs. Many employers offer digital systems where you can view your hours balance, but it is wise to keep your own records as well.
Communicate regularly with your manager about your development plans. During performance reviews, discuss which competencies you want to develop and how you can use your PI hours for this. This shows initiative and helps your employer find suitable development opportunities.
Strategies for using hours effectively:
- Plan development activities well in advance
- Combine different forms of development (training, coaching, self-study)
- Search for relevant courses that align with your career goals.
- Consider coaching for personal effectiveness and career development
We help employees to sustainable deployment by providing insight into personal talents and future labour market developments. By making conscious choices and proactively anticipating changes, employees can make optimal use of their development opportunities and strengthen their career resilience.
The secret to successfully managing PI hours lies in finding the balance between strategic saving and timely utilisation. By regularly evaluating what you need for your personal and professional growth, you can ensure that no development hours are wasted and your career continues to flourish in a changing job market.