Helpful Legal Information
Leave Requirements
Medical and Family Leave
The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) requires most employers to provide you with 12 weeks of unpaid leave in the event of a family or medical need. If you have a medical or a family problem that requires you to take time off, you probably qualify for leave and the employer must give you the same or a similar job back. Many employers will attempt to coerce you to take "personal" leave so that they don't have to give you your job back afterwards. Insist on "Medical and Family Leave" if you qualify so that your job is protected.
Pregnancy and Maternity/Paternity Leave
Various Federal and State laws require most employers to also grant 12 weeks of unpaid leave to new mothers and fathers, including those who adopt. A mother can begin the leave before the birth of the child for prenatal care. If your employer has a group health plan for employees, it must keep you on its plan while on family, medical or maternity leave. In California, a female employee is entitled to up to four months of leave if disabled as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or related condition. Govt. Code 12945.