California has a state law that provides employees with the right to take job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. While it may seem similar to the Family Medical Leave Act, there are a few differences. What is the California Family Act Law? We will look at a few points of the Act, including what this law means for both employees and employers in California.

Key Provisions

Under the California Family Relief Act (CFRA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for several family-related reasons. These can include:

A New Child

Parents can take leave if the family has a newborn, a foster child, or a newly adopted child. This is available for both mothers and fathers. With that, both parents have the opportunity to care for and bond with the child during these early months.

Family Member Care

If employees have a family member with a serious medical condition that requires help, they can request a leave. Under the law, family members can include spouses, children, parents, domestic partners, and their children

A Serious Health Condition

Sometimes, the employee’s own health requires them to request time off. Under the CFRA, workers are allowed to take a leave to treat their condition and recover from an illness or injury.

Military Leave

When the CFRA was first signed, military leave was not originally part of the Act. However, over the years, there have been provisions for military exigency leave. With that, employees can take leave for reasons related to active duty or the call to active duty of a family member in the military.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

While the Act does provide certain provisions, workers need to meet specific criteria to apply.

First, the Act only applies to companies with five or more employees. With that, more California workers are covered under the Act. Additionally, the employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months before taking leave. There is also an hour requirement. Under the law, they must have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months preceding the leave. 

What Are Other Benefits?

The main focus of the CFRA is job protection. In the past, employers were worried about taking any time off from work due to the threat of losing their jobs. Now, any workers who use CFRA leave can return to their workplace in the same or comparable position. With that, workers have some peace of mind that they can use the time needed without jeopardizing their career or job security.

Health insurance coverage is another concern during this time. However, the CFRA also mandates that employers maintain the worker’s health insurance benefits during the leave period. While on leave, the company must provide the same coverage as if the employee were still working at their job. 

How Is CFRA Different from the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Many people might think that the California Family Relief Act and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are the same, but there are several differences. Under the FMLA, employers with 50 or more employees are covered. With the CFRA, the requirement  is reduced to five or more workers. The CFRA includes a bigger classification of family members, including registered domestic partners and their children. 

Learn More About the California Family Rights Act

What is the California Family Act? This law allows workers the right to take leave for family and medical reasons while ensuring job protection and continued health benefits. Employers cannot deny workers these benefits unless they do not qualify. If you want to learn more about how this Act could help your situation, you may want to contact a California family law attorney. 

At Roberts & Zatlin Family Law Firm, we offer family law services backed by over 35 years of combined experience in the field. Our office is located in Temecula, California, but we proudly serve Menifee, Hemet, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Wildomar, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Vista, San Diego, the Inland Valley, and beyond. Contact us today or call (951) 381-8147. Your first consultation is free and confidential. Schedule a consultation today!