A few weeks ago I discussed a new California law requiring employers to continue providing benefits to employees on pregnancy leave.  Since then, I have received questions on parental rights in California.  In response, today’s post will discuss 3 bodies of law that affect California employees’ parental leave rights. California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Contractual Rights California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) California Government Code section 12945 makes it unlawful for an employer to deny reasonable leave, up to four months, to a female employee who is disabled by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The leave may be intermittent (e.g., for doctor’s appointments or sporadic episodes of pregnancy related disability) up to a total of four months. The employee shall be entitled to utilize any accrued vacation leave during this period of time. The employee has a right to reinstatement to the same or substantially similar position.  If the employee requests that the guarantee to reinstatement be in writing, the employer must do so. (Cal. Code, Regs., tit. 2, § 7291.9, subd. (a).)  However, an … Continue reading →