Same here - i keep all the deadlines and use the spare time to better myself. Or even implement new ideas in production code.

Also latter half of Friday is officially, by company policy, set up for such tasks - learning, and finishing internal tasks that always get pushed back.

The more i learn, the better value/cost ratio for my employer.

I would immiedetly change jobs if they didn't challenge me, or at least provide an environment where i can learn.