School’s back in session! If you have employees’ requesting time-off to attend school-related activities, there are some tips you need to know regarding your state’s employment laws and school-related leave. With information sent to us from HR Pilot, you can learn how to best manage your employees leaving work to go to school-related events for their children.
There are multiple states that have passed school-related leave laws which protect parent workers and allow them to take time off for their children’s school activities.
States providing school-related leave:
California: 40 hours
Colorado: 18 hours
District of Columbia: 24 hours
Illinois: 8 hours
Louisiana: 16 hours
Massachusetts: 24 hours
Minnesota: 16 hours
North Carolina: 4 hours
Rhode Island: 10 hours
Vermont: 12 hours
(Nevada: Employers must not terminate an employee for using leave to attend a child’s school-related activities.)
Even if a state/ locality does not require school-related leave, all employers should consider the following best practices from the EEOC when managing employees with school-aged children:
1. Educate all managers about the company’s work-life policies and ensure they are supportive of employees who take advantage of available programs
2. Consider allowing employee to work flexible work schedules that allow them to balance work and parental responsibilities
3. Contemplate providing reasonable personal or sick leave to allow employees to attend school-related activities
4. Do not retaliate against employee who take advantage of available programs
If you have questions regarding this or any other employment laws, contact your HR representative today. If you don’t currently work with an HR company, feel free to reach out to us for referrals to someone who can assist you.
