Lithuanian reader questions work experience loss due to unpaid leave; Sodra clarifies contribution rules

A reader of "Delfi" has raised concerns about a significant perceived loss of work experience, calculating that 1.5 years have vanished from their record over a five-year period. The reader attributes this discrepancy to their employer repeatedly requesting they take unpaid leave.

This situation points to a potential gap in understanding or a systemic issue regarding how unpaid leave impacts official work experience and social insurance records in Lithuania. The reader's calculation suggests a direct correlation between taking unpaid leave and a reduction in their recorded service time.

In response, "Sodra," the Lithuanian social insurance institution, has clarified the relevant regulations. They explained that the mere act of taking unpaid leave is not the sole determinant of lost experience. Instead, the critical factor is whether the necessary social insurance contributions were paid during the period in question. This suggests that the reader's employer may not have been making the required payments, or that the system's calculation methodology is complex and not immediately apparent to employees.