Colorado House Bill 1057

Last week Colorado debated whether or not to pass a law to guarantee working parents unpaid leave to meet with teachers or attend pertinent school functions. House Bill 1057 would allow a full-time employee who works for a business employing 10 or more to take up to six hours of unpaid leave per month for academic events or meetings. Written verification from the school could be required and employees would notify their employers at least five days in advance. At first, I wondered if this was really a necessary law as we already have so many on the books. I think most parents are happy to rearrange their lunch hours or spend vacation time to attend their child's functions. I was also thinking from the lucky perspective of working for a very family supporting company who allows ample time off and flexible schedules. But what if I didn't work for such a great company? In a few years I will have three children in nearly consecutive grades. What if one of my children has a learning disability or behavior problems? I'll have to figure out a way to attend after school activities for all three children. And I really want to be the kind of mom who delivers homemade pink iced cupcakes to the kindergarten Valentine's Day party. Should I have to choose? Of course I also do have an obligation to my employer to get my job done and parent's should have a willingness to complete as much of their own work as possible by working late or the weekend if necessary to compensate the company for time off. I think most employees feel this way and make every effort to be fair to their employer. Probably most employers are willing to work with parenting schedules and certainly schools would be willing to find alternative times for meetings. I guess I'm just not sure if government needs to get involved? What do you think? __________________________ P.S. If that blog entry was just too serious for you check out Blondemom's story about feeding dead baby chicks to crocodiles, then enter her giveaway at Savvy Housewife to win some of the most beautiful fruit bouquets I've ever seen!