Ten U.S. States currently allow parents to utilize FMLA time for parent-teacher conferences and other school functions.  Research consistently shows that when parents are involved with their children’s education, the children perform better in school. Three chapters of 9to5 are supporting bills allowing employees to use FMLA time for school functions in the states of Wisconsin, Georgia and Colorado.

If you have ever tried to ask your employer for time to attend your child’s school function, only to be met with a blank stare, then this is one to follow closely.  The organization 9to5 is working to include school functions in FMLA time.  While it may seem counter-intuitive for employers, 9to5 representatives argue that it actually encourages higher productivity since employees do not need to call in sick at the last minute, forcing the remaining staff to scramble.  To take advantage of this benefit, employees must provide adequate notice, just as they would for other FMLA requests.  The good news is that many employers currently provide this time off, even though they are not mandated to do so.