As children head back to school, California employees may need time away from work for school activities, childcare emergencies, disciplinary meetings, or to care for a sick child. Employers should keep the following California leave protections in mind for the 2026–2027 school year.
School and Childcare Activity Leave
California Labor Code Section 230.8 applies to employers with 25 or more employees working at the same location. It provides certain leave entitlements to employees who are “parents” of children attending kindergarten through grade 12, or a licensed childcare provider.
For purposes of this law, a “parent” includes a parent, guardian, stepparent, foster parent, grandparent, or person who stands in loco parentis to a child.
Eligible employees may take up to 40 hours each year for either of the following purposes:
Finding, enrolling, or re-enrolling a child in school or with a licensed childcare provider, or participating in school or childcare activities; or
Addressing a… Read the complete article here...
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