February 10, 2006 7:27 AM
Mandatory time off for parents
Your child has the lead - or is just playing Tree No. 2 - in the class play. You're dying to go, but you're supposed to be at your desk working hard to earn your salary. Who wins that debate?
A Colorado Senate committee has cleared a bill forcing employers to give parents time off from work to attend school functions, reports the Rocky's April M. Washington.
Employees of any company with at least 10 employees could take at five hours per month of unpaid leave to attend school events. Time off is capped at 30 hours per year.
Supporters say children benefit from having their parents at school functions. Employers argue the bill would place a hardship on them, especially small businesses.
Does the benefit to children and parents outweigh the hardship to businesses? And what of the single or childless employees who have to cover for parents who are at their kids' school functions?
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