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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2002

News Release

NEA Announces New Parental Leave Policy for Employees

'Touting family values isn't enough'

Washington, D.C. - Following up on a pledge made by its president in a November 2001 speech to the National Press Club, the 2.7 million-member National Education Association (NEA) has announced new parental leave policies for its 500+ employees. The policy allows up to six weeks of paid "new parent" leave as well as up to five days of paid parenting leave each calendar year.

In his National Press Club speech, NEA President Bob Chase urged employers to help parents be able to spend more time with their kids: "We seem to be better at extolling the ideal of family life than actually providing families with the practical support they need ...touting family values isn't enough."

Chase went on to admit that the National Education Association, designated as one of the best employers in the Washington, D.C. area, wasn't doing enough to promote that ideal. When an audience member questioned the organization's lack of a paid maternity leave policy, Chase vowed: "We're working on it right now."

NEA Executive Director John Wilson says, "NEA wants to serve as an example to all CEOs and government leaders who have a responsibility to make their workplaces family friendly. Being responsive to the challenges that working families face as they their nurture their children, and making time for parents to partner with the public schools can help to guarantee a quality education for all."

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.