This template is designed specifically for businesses in need of assistance in creating a
formal professional development policy for its employees. Professional development
policies are established to provide an opportunity for employees to obtain additional
education or training. This template contains the following sections: professional
development statement, eligibility, qualifying development activities, request process,
and approval process. This document is ideal for small businesses or other entities that
want to create a customized professional development policy for their employees.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
[Organization/Company Name] supports and encourages both career and job-related
professional development activities for its employees. The professional development program
is designed to provide an opportunity for employees to obtain additional education or training
in order to increase their competence in their present jobs and to prepare for future
advancements within the organization.
[Organization/Company Name] will support an employee's request to participate in the
professional development program by offering:
Flexible or alternate work schedules
Leave without pay
Leave with full or partial pay
Full or partial payment of fees and expenses
Temporary or part-time reassignment to another department
ELIGIBILITY
All full-time, part-time, exempt, and non-exempt employees are eligible for the professional
development program based on:
Completion of [# of days/months] probationary period
Satisfactory work performance of employee
QUALIFYING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Professional development activities include, but are not limited to:
Continuing education courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, institutes, lectures,
and meetings
On-the-job training programs
Cross-training
Coaching
Internships
Participation in professional and technical associations.
Mandatory Training or Development
Mandatory training and development activities required for an employee’s current position will
be treated as time worked. All fees and related costs, including materials, travel, and per diem,
will be reimbursed.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
License and Certification Renewals
Fees related to license/certification renewals required for the employee's current position
[Do/Do not] qualify for reimbursement.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS REQUEST PROCESS
An employee who wishes to request professional development benefits must submit a plan in
accordance with [List policies/guidelines] to [list submission instructions] [# of days] prior to the
requested leave start date.
The professional development plan must include the following:
A description or copy of the professional development activities/coursework
An official statement of costs from the provider or institution
An activities/course schedule (include dates, times, and/or number of hours)
The duration of leave (include dates, times, and/or number of hours), if applicable
The benefits to the employee, the employee’s current position, and the organization
How the activity may assist the employee's transition into future advancements within
the organization
A justification for the institution chosen and its accreditation status, if applicable
The relevance of the activities to the organization’s needs, mission, and goals
The impact, if any, on employee workload and other employees within the department
Employee signature and date
APPROVAL PROCESS
Once the professional development plan has been submitted, the [list the names/positions of
approvers] will review the request in accordance with [List policies/guidelines].
Approvals will be based on the following criteria:
Duration of the leave, if applicable
Impact on scheduling and staffing
Costs/available funds
Relevance of activities to job and future advancements
Number of requests
[Insert other criteria here]
Decisions will be communicate by [describe method] within [# days] from submission.
A copy of the professional development plan will be filed [describe the filing process].
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
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