Children across the country have begun another school year, which often comes with mandatory meetings and conferences for parents, requiring attendance during their work hours. In many states, employers cannot deny an employee leave to attend such activities.
Employers should be aware that laws in several states protect a parent or guardian’s leave for attendance at school conferences. This protection may come from a sick leave statute, or in another form of leave, including a “small necessities leave.” For example, in Massachusetts, the small necessities leave statute provides unpaid leave for parents to attend activities at a child’s school. Another example is in California, which requires eligible employers to allow employees with children in grades K-12 to take up to 40 hours each year to attend “child-related activities,” to enroll children in school, or to address a school emergency.
Further, many state sick leave laws include attendance at school events as a reason to take leave. For example, sick leave laws in Michigan and New Mexico can be used for the limited purpose of attending school or childcare meetings to address a child’s health or disability. The New Jersey statute is much broader and paid sick leave can be used to attend any school-related conference, meeting, function or other event.
As of July 1, 2025, Indiana joins the list of states offering protection for attendance at school functions. While the state does not provide paid sick leave, a new law prevents employers from taking adverse employment action against an employee for taking leave to attend an “attendance conference or a case conference committee” at a child’s school.
It is important to note that the details of these laws, including the notice provisions and how much time can be spent attending these functions, varies greatly across states.