"Parents (guardians, foster parents) of a child going to first grade, upon their written application, are granted leave on September 1 (Knowledge Day) on account of their annual paid leave," says the bill proposed by the State Duma deputies from the LDPR party. If the proposal is approved, changes will be made to the Labor Code.
The proposed bill has both disadvantages and clear advantages. Not only for parents, but also for every child who crosses the threshold of school for the first time, Knowledge Day becomes a very exciting event. Boys and girls are very worried, even afraid of this moment, and they want their parents to be with them.
Of course, on the one hand, why allocate a full day off on this day, if the lineup lasts only about an hour, and then employees can return to their jobs? However, the first day of school also does not last very long, the child needs to be taken from school, and after that, arrange a real holiday for him. “The very first September 1,” according to tradition, is celebrated with all relatives, the first grader is congratulated on entering a new stage of his life.
“To be honest, I don’t see an urgent need to make this day a day off, I don’t understand how this can be organized technically,” says State Duma deputy Sergei Boyarsky. “Everyone is already asking for a few hours off from work. For the first time, mom and grandmother can take it away, the second time - dad, and so, alternating."
The MP's opinion is quite understandable - it is hard to imagine how this bill will work in practice. This is especially true for large families - mothers with several children are already finding it difficult to get a job - they need to coordinate business trips, they can take additional sick leave to care for the child. If you imagine that the employees will be absent for such an occasion - to take each of their children to school on Knowledge Day - the employer will not be interested in them at all.
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"The debate about whether such a day off is needed for the parents of first grade students has been going on for several years now," said State Duma deputy Lilia Gumerova. - "As a mother, I understand that every parent wants to see the moment when the child went to first grade."
Somewhere parents manage to take time off, somewhere they take days off on account of vacation - unofficially, this practice has been widespread for a long time. However, not all production will be able to fulfill the requirements of the bill, the deputy notes.
“Not everyone can even afford to let a crowd of parents go on vacation,” explains Lilia Gumerova. - “We must understand that there are continuous productions, some strategic objects, where, simply on the basis of the fact that the child goes to first grade, it will be quite difficult to agree on time off.”
The situation can be complicated by the fact that both parents want to be present at the first-grader's celebration. And if they both work in the same enterprise, it will be very difficult to get a day off.
In the opinion of the State Duma deputy, if such a document comes into force, it should be of an exclusively recommendatory nature. Where the employer has such an opportunity - to provide parents (even if not all day, but at least 3-4 hours) a chance to attend the lineup.
“In general, from the point of view of the mother, from the point of view of the interests of the child himself, this event would become such a great family holiday,” sums up Lilia Gumerova. - "The initiative needs to be discussed, if it gets legislative confirmation, many will perceive it well."