An Ontario school board says a teacher 鈥渨ill not face any disciplinary action鈥� should he choose to accompany his 90-year-old father to a Second World War ceremony in Holland next week.
However, teacher Rick Boon will have to 鈥渟ort out any legalities following his return,鈥� according to a statement from Avon Maitland District School Board Director of Education Ted Doherty.
A supporting a week of unpaid leave for Rick Boon was started by Celtic-Canadian musician Loreena McKennitt and managed to find support among nearly 2,000 people.
McKennitt told 麻豆影视 earlier this week that board officials in Stratford, Ont., should make an exception to workplace rules because Art Boon had given back to the schools by sharing his experiences with students.
Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O鈥橳oole came out in support of the request too, calling school board officials 鈥渢o urge them to accommodate this veteran鈥檚 modest request.鈥�
Despite promising no disciplinary action, Doherty says that he must 鈥渕aintain my position and not grant a leave of absence,鈥� because of 鈥済rave concerns as to whether this particular request for leave is valid under the Employment Standards Act.鈥�
Doherty says he worries about 鈥渟etting a precedent that would (allow) thousands of employees from across Ontario to demand and receive unpaid leave from their jobs to accompany their parents, brothers, sisters and children on recreational and other medically non-essential trips.鈥�
However, Doherty also said that the board is 鈥減roud to be associated with鈥� Art Boon and is 鈥減leased that he will travel to Europe again to receive the recognition he so justly deserves.鈥�
