Section 52A 1/2. An employee who is a veteran or a member of a department of war veterans listed in section 17 of chapter 8 and who desires to participate in a Memorial Day exercise, parade or service in the employee's community of residence shall be allowed and granted a leave of absence of sufficient time to participate in such an exercise, parade or service in the employee's community of residence. The leave of absence shall be with or without pay, at the discretion of the employee's employer.
An employee who is a veteran or is a member of a department of war veterans listed in said section 17 of said chapter 8 shall be granted time off to observe Veterans Day. The time off shall be with or without pay, at the discretion of the employee's employer.
This section shall not apply to employees whose services are essential and critical to the public health or safety and determined to be essential to the safety and security of such an employee's employer or the property of the employer.