[JAVagueArgument]

A good employer should allow you the freedom to read the articles and do actives that will enhance your skill set (e.g. The Google 20% time).

I have never asked if I can, but every job I have always read articles I have found. Some companies I have openly told my boss that is what I do and sometimes those articles have not been directly related to my job, yet still this has been thought of as ok.

So my advice is, do it at work, your employer should be pleased that you want to broaden your skill set, it can only benefit them in the end. Just don't do it to a capacity that has a negative impact on your deliverables.

[thoughtpalette]

Excellent reply. I actually track my time on Personal R&D. Even on HackerNews. It's nice to have an employer that facilitates a continuous learning environment.

[JAVagueArgument]

Thanks. I one day plan to create my own company and free self learning time is going to be encouraged.

It is slightly cliché but this was recently posted on our internal "social network"... CFO asks "what if we spend our money training our staff and they leave?", CTO replies "what if we don't and they stay?".

So many jobs, especially technical, require constant education, an employer who wants the best employees know and encourage that.