California Pregnancy Leave Laws

If your employer has not done enough to accommodate your request for pregnancy leave, the talented attorneys at Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob, & Morrison will work with you to hold them accountable.

Pregnancy Leave FAQs

Expecting Mothers and Fathers Have Maternity and Paternity Leave Rights

If you are a pregnant worker in California, you have both state and federal employee rights that protect your ability to take pregnancy leave without penalty. California is one the best states in the nation for pregnant workers and workers planning on having or adopting children. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, a maternity leave attorney at the Los Angeles employment law firm of Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob, & Morrison, PC is prepared to help you make sure your employer respects your right to take the disability leave or pregnancy leave you are entitled to under California pregnancy leave laws.

Our Los Angeles employment lawyers have decades of experience helping workers in California. Having represented both employees and employers throughout the LA area, we have a unique perspective of both legal sides in employment law claims. If you are experiencing pregnancy discrimination because your employer is denying your right to pregnancy leave in CA, our Los Angeles employment attorneys have the insight to fight for your rights.

What are Federal and California Pregnancy Leave Laws?

Most workers in the United States only have the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a set of federal laws that govern how much leave employers are required to allow for family and medical reasons.

Fortunately, California workers have additional pregnancy labor laws, including the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave law (PDL) and pregnancy disability leave law for paid and unpaid leave.

What Protections Are There for Women in the Workplace?

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How Much Time Off for Pregnancy in California?

Workers employed at a California company with 50 or more employees may qualify under California maternity leave laws for up to seven months off work. However, most people do not qualify for all of the pregnancy leave available. The following pregnancy labor laws govern pregnancy leave in CA for mothers and fathers:

Family and Medical Leave Act

The FMLA allows for twelve weeks of unpaid time off during a year for child adoption, pregnancy and childbirth for all eligible US employees at most companies. This is typically the best option for Los Angeles fathers seeking paternity leave. The FMLA also provides mothers leave for pregnancy-related medical conditions.

California Family Rights Act

The CFRA takes the place of the FMLA in California. This law also allows employees to take 12 weeks off work, unpaid. This is not in addition to the time off that FMLA offers. The CFRA does not allow employees to use this time for pregnancy disability leave.

Pregnancy Disability Leave

If you become temporarily disabled during or after your pregnancy and unable to perform your work duties, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act provides unpaid maternity disability leave that allows you to take an additional four months off time off work to recover. In some cases, a company’s contracts or policies may entitle employees to use paid vacation time to offset the unpaid pregnancy disability leave law. Some California employers may also have to provide more leave under the PDL if the company provides a longer time off for other types of disability leaves.

Paid Short-Term Disability and Family Leave

By law, most employers in California must carry short-term disability insurance (SDI). SDI allows employees to take paid time off if they are disabled due to pregnancy and childbirth. Paid family leave (PFL) in California for pregnancy may also provide financial benefits from a state insurance fund based on a percentage of your usual earnings for a maximum of six weeks. This may be the best option for workers whose employers do not provide maternity leave pay.

Service. Support. Strength.

For more than 30 years now, the team of experienced Los Angeles pregnancy leave attorneys at Kesluk, Jamison, Silverstein, & Morrison have been working to level the playing field for hardworking employees who are mistreated by their employers. With more than 100 years of combined experience working for you, you’ll enjoy a level of service and support that only our firm can offer, which translates into a level of legal strength that has earned us a reputation spanning multiple decades. We understand that hardworking individuals don’t always have the resources or legal expertise required to hold their employers accountable and ensure that justice is served when mistreatment takes place. Our team of expert employment lawyers will help you navigate both state and federal employment laws, working with you to ensure that you’re not just given a voice…but a veritable legal cannon, as well. To learn more, reach out to our Los Angeles offices and speak with a helpful member of our team to set up a completely free, no-risk initial consultation today.

Can My Employer Deny Maternity Leave? Ask a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Our Los Angeles employment attorneys fight pregnancy discrimination and help employees get the full pregnancy leave they need under California’s uncommon and complex maternity leave laws. We believe that taking care of yourself and your newborn child is incredibly important and want to help you make sure you are able to get the time you deserve for your health and your family. Contact our law office by calling or submitting a free claim consultation form to speak with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Los Angeles today.