New Jersey is pushing for additional paid leave for workers with children to attend school events. Currently, New Jersey guarantees up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year, and workers can use that paid leave to attend their children’s school-related events and the like.
A new bill being pushed by the state legislature would add two days to the existing sick leave to give workers more freedom to attend their children’s school events. The gist of it is that businesses that provide employees with additional paid leave for the purpose of attending their children’s school events and the like would be given a tax credit equal to the cost of the payroll.
The bill is gaining more attention because it was co-sponsored by Republican State Senator Vince Polistina and Democratic State Senator Teresa Lewis.
“Parents are increasingly busy raising their families,” Polistina said. “This bill is intended to support parents to be more involved in their children’s education.” Many schools are holding major events during regular work hours, which is causing many parents to give up attending the events.
Furthermore, Rep. Pollistani said the bill, which provides more paid leave for parents attending school events, is intended to help with the difficulties of raising children. However, the bill is still in the subcommittee discussion process, so it is uncertain whether it will be finally enacted.