At CA Tech workers try going screen-free for a week

Employees of Islandia-based software giant CA Technologies Inc. -- a company whose livelihood makes use of screens -- received an unusual request from management this week: Try getting off the screens when you're at home after work.

CA was the largest company on Long Island to take part in the national Screen-Free Week, formerly TV-Turnoff, which runs until Sunday. Kids and parents are supposed to spend time together, outdoors, and "unplug" from televisions, computers and all other electronic devices, at least in the evening at home. At CA Thursday, parents of children at the Montessori Center on the company's grounds got together for lunch. So the parents, all of whom work at CA, were unplugged, for an hour or so.

Unplugging is important to CA, said human resources vice president Lisa Mars. CA asked that kids and parents at Montessori Centers at other company locations in the United States and abroad also unplug. Those who unplug at home and spend time with family will be happier people, and thus more productive employees, Mars said.

The event at CA was promoted for the second consecutive year by the Early Years Institute, a Plainview-based nonprofit that encourages educational programs for children. EYI spokeswoman Toni Riedel said the organization plans to do it again next year.

"It's getting bigger and better," Riedel said.