Policy Statement and Reason
For the purpose of this policy, employees include California faculty and staff unless otherwise indicated in the sections below. All provisions of this policy apply, except that for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, this policy does not create any benefits not expressly provided by that collective bargaining agreement and if there are inconsistencies between this policy and the collective bargaining agreement, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement will govern.
The College provides eligible employees with up to forty (40) hours of School Activities Leave per year (not to exceed eight (8) hours in a month):
- To find, enroll or re-enroll employees’ children in school or with licensed child care providers, and
- To participate in activities and attend meetings at their children’s school.
In addition, eligible employees may use their annual School Activities Leave to address childcare provider or school emergencies, due to one of the following reasons:
- The child care provider or school has requested that the child be picked up or it has an attendance policy (excluding planned holidays) that prohibits the child from attending or requires the child be picked up from the childcare provider or school,
- Behavioral or discipline problems,
- Closure or unexpected unavailability of the school or child care provider, excluding planned holidays, or
- A natural disaster, including but not limited to, fire, earthquake or flood.
The 8-hour limitation per month does not apply to such emergencies.
This policy complies with California law.
Policy Guidelines
Eligibility
Regular full-time, part-time and temporary faculty and staff who are parents, guardians, stepparents, foster parents, or grandparents of one (1) or more children in kindergarten or grades one to twelve are immediately eligible.
Notification
Employees must provide reasonable advance notice to their supervisors of the need to take planned School Activities Leave. In the event of an emergency, employees must notify their supervisors as soon as practicable of their need to take such leave. Employees may be required to provide documentation from schools or licensed childcare facilities in support of such leaves.
Staff Employees - Use of Personal and Vacation Time
Staff employees must use available personal and/or vacation time for School Activities Leave. Additional leave under this policy will be unpaid.
Faculty Employees
For foreseeable absences, Faculty must provide the Chair with advance written notice and must receive prior approval when absent for more than two sessions or when a weekly class is missed more than once in order to coordinate coverage or makeup sessions. In the case of unreported and/or excessive absences, the Chair notifies the Dean.
Protections
Employees may not be penalized in any way for taking time under this policy.
Other Information
Related Policies
Key Offices to Contact
Please contact Human Resources for further information regarding this policy and its implementation.
Links to Procedures or Forms
Not applicable
The contents of this policy are informational only and are not conditions of employment. This policy does not create any contractual obligations or alter the at-will employment of the College’s at-will employees. Emerson College reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change any and all policies and procedures at any time, with or without notice, as consistent with state and federal law.
Policy Effective: May 2019