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California Leave Laws

There are numerous California laws that provide protection for medical and family leaves. The FEHA provides for job-protected leaves for pregnancy disability leave (at Government Code section 12945) and family and medical reasons (at Government Code section 12945.2).

Comparison of California Leave Laws
  • The Commission has made a chart comparing a number of different leave laws available to employees in California for pregnancy disability leave, “baby bonding” leave, medical leave for the employee or to care for a sick family member, military leave (for the employee or a family member), leave to attend a child’s school activities, and various “good citizen” leaves. California Leave Entitlements

    Here is more detailed information about two other related laws that also give employees medical leave rights:
Paid Family Leave Insurance
  • For California workers covered by state disability insurance, Paid Family Leave (PFL) insurance provides up to six weeks of benefits for individuals who must take time off to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner, or to bond with a new minor child.  The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers PFL.  EDD’s website gives more information.  For a comparison of PFL and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Compare PFL and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
"Kin Care" Leave
  • "Kin Care," Labor Code section 233, allows employees to use up to half of their accrued sick leave benefits to care for a sick family member, including a child, parent, spouse or registered domestic partner.  All California employers providing sick leave to their employees are covered. The California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement administers Kin Care and accepts discrimination complaints when employers have failed to allow employees to take “Kin Care” leave.  DIR discrimination complaints.