The stressful rule forced teachers to miss precious time with dying relatives, lie to their bosses or send their own children to school sick.
Now the definition of a school employee sick day in New Jersey is changing — whether schools like it or not.
Gov. Phil Murphy this week signed a new law allowing school employees in the state to tap their 10 state-mandated sick days even if they aren’t sick. The legislation, which took effect immediately, expands an educator sick day to include family health emergencies and other reasons.
“Being able to get preventative health care, address mental health needs, care for a family member, take time to grieve the loss of a loved one, or be there for a child in times of need all play an important part in a person’s overall well-being,” Murphy said in a statement. “This bill recognizes that reality and allows school employees to take the time they need when they need it.”
The New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, celebrated the change as a win “for parents, educators, students and public health.” However, several statewide education groups opposed the plan, citing concerns about increased teacher absences and disruptions to student learning.
Schools were previously required to offer 10 personal sick days that teachers and other full-time employees could use only if they were were sick or injured. Educators in some districts had negotiated additional personal days that could be used to care for sick family...
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