Leave & Time Off Rights in California
California provides extensive leave protections through multiple overlapping laws. The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) provides up to four months. Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) provide partial wage replacement through EDD. California also mandates paid sick leave and bereavement leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFRA and who is eligible?
The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for: the birth or adoption/foster placement of a child, to care for a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling with a serious health condition, or for the employee's own serious health condition. You are eligible if you work for an employer with 5+ employees, have worked there for 12+ months, and worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year.
How much paid family leave can I get in California?
California Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides up to 8 weeks of partial wage replacement (approximately 60-70% of your weekly wages, up to a cap) when you need time off to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. PFL is funded through employee payroll deductions and administered by EDD. PFL provides wage replacement but does not provide job protection — job protection comes from CFRA.
What are my rights to paid sick leave in California?
Under California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act, most employees earn at least 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year. You can use sick leave for your own health condition, to care for a family member, or if you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Employers may not retaliate against you for using or requesting sick leave.
Can I take leave for pregnancy in California?
Yes. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) provides up to four months (17⅓ weeks) of job-protected leave for employees disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. PDL is available from employers with 5+ employees, with no minimum service requirement. After PDL, you may also be eligible for CFRA leave to bond with your newborn. During PDL, you may receive partial wage replacement through SDI.
Am I entitled to bereavement leave in California?
Yes. Since January 1, 2023, California law requires employers with 5+ employees to provide up to 5 days of bereavement leave for the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, or parent-in-law. The leave need not be consecutive but must be completed within 3 months of the death. Bereavement leave is unpaid unless the employer's policy provides otherwise, but you may use accrued vacation or paid sick leave.
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