In Austria, employees may generally be granted leave by their employer for a period of at least two months and up to one year for further education and training. This leave must be agreed upon by the employer and the employee. There is no legal claim to educational leave. During the period of leave, the Public Employment Service (AMS) may disburse what is called educational leave allowance, the amount of which is more or less equal to unemployment benefits. The granting of educational leave is conditional on uninterrupted employment in a period of six months (three months with seasonal businesses) immediately preceding the leave, with compulsory unemployment insurance.