Know Your Rights
Preparation periods
Preparation periods are among the many meaningful contractual rights UFT members enjoy. Learn all you need to know about these periods of time for teachers to do unassigned professional work.
Paraprofessional absences
The UFT explains paraprofessionals' rights and obligations in terms of being absent from work.
Excused absences
Find out about excused absences — occasions aside from personal illness — when UFT members (teachers, appointed pedagogues and other titles, such as paraprofessionals) are entitled to be absent from work but still get paid without using their CAR, or sick bank.
School-based options
Spring is the time for school chapter leaders to discuss with their chapter’s members and then with their principal the school-based options they want to create, re-create or allow to sunset for the 2026–27 school year.
Per-session activities
Learn all the rules and know your rights with regard to "per-session" activities done outside regular classroom hours.
Using sick days
One of the many benefits of union membership is having paid leave to rest and recuperate when you are sick. Learn how UFT members earn, use and even borrow days from their Cumulative Absence Reserve.