I. Introduction
Employers in the District are required to provide up to 24 hours of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to an employee for the purpose of the employee’s attendance or participation in school-related events for his or her child, or to celebrate the District of Columbia Emancipation Day.
II. Definitions
A. School-related event means an activity sponsored by either a school or an associated organization such as a parent-teacher association. A school-related event includes: a student performance such as a concert, play, or rehearsal; the sporting game of a school team or practice; a meeting with a teacher or counselor; or any similar type of activity. A school-related event shall involve the parent's child directly either as participant or subject but not as a spectator.
B. District of Columbia Emancipation Day means April 16th of each year
III. Parental Leave
The university will provide up to 24 hours of leave during any 12-month period to an employee for the purpose of the employee’s attendance or participation in school-related events for his or her child. The event must be sponsored by the school or an associated organization such as the PTA, and the child must be a participant in, or subject of the event. For example, the child might be in a school play, or the child might be the subject of a parent-teacher conference.
IV. DC Emancipation Leave
An employee is entitled to a day of leave to each year on April 16th to celebrate the District of Columbia Emancipation Day
V. Type of Leave
The leave will be unpaid leave unless the employee chooses to use vacation leave.
VI. Denial of Leave
The university may deny the leave only if granting the leave would disrupt business and make the achievement of production or delivery of services unusually difficult. A decision to deny leave under this policy should not be finalized without conferring with The Director of Human Resources. Questions may be referred to the Director of Human Resources or the Office of General Counsel.
VII. Notice Requirement
When the need for leave can be foreseen, the employee must request the leave 10 calendar days in advance of the event.
VIII. Miscellaneous
An employee taking employer-approved leave under this law should not lose any employment benefit. The university will post notices describing this law.
Employment - Staff