THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS REMINDING MOMS AND DADS THAT MOST EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE THEM TIME OFF FOR PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES. 

A 1993 LAW MAKES SURE BUSINESSES GIVE WORKERS UNPAID LEAVE FOR SCHOOL CONFERENCES…MINUS A FEW EXCEPTIONS SAYS STATE LABOR DIRECTOR MICHAEL KLEINIK.

WORKERS MUST REQUEST THE TIME OFF SEVEN DAYS IN ADVANCE AND CAN BE GRANTED UP TO EIGHT HOURS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND NO MORE THAN FOUR HOURS ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

THE LAW ONLY APPLIES TO BUSINESSES WITH 50 OR MORE WORKERS…AND TO EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. AN EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE FIRST USED ALL VACATION AND PERSONAL TIME FOR THE TIME OFF TO BE GRANTED.