California Family Rights Act (CFRA): Your Rights to Family and Medical Leave
If you are employed in California, you can take advantage of the California Family Rights Act without risking your job. You are entitled to a leave of up to 12 weeks for some specific family and medical situations. As a California employee, you should know your labor rights to family and medical leave. We look forward to providing you with the necessary details of California family leave law and related terms. Let’s not waste any time and dive into the original discussion.
Everything you need to know about California Family Rights Act
What is CFRA?
The California Family Rights Act or also known as the Moore-Brown-Roberti Family Rights Act is a California state law to protect the job of employees in case of family troubles or health injuries. You can take 12 weeks of leave over a period of 12 months. In most cases, this is unpaid leave. This leave will be applicable for distinct conditions like the birth of a new child, or taking care of a seriously ill family member. Not only public employers but also private employers with five or more employees are covered under this law. You must submit a leave request to your employer or supervisor to avail this leave.
Which employers are subjected to CFRA leave?
- Private employers who conduct business in California with five or more employees
- State governmental agencies (political or civil subdivisions) with any number of employees
What are the requirements for CFRA leave?
You will be eligible for CFRA leave if you:
- Are working for your employer for at least a total of 12 months before the starting date of leave.
- Have worked for at least 1250 hours in those 12 months before the leave date.
If you meet these requirements, you can take CFRA to leave for:
- Bonding with a child within the 12 months of birth, adoption, or foster care replacement.
- Looking after a family member who has a serious health complication. The family members can be a child, spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, someone blood-related, or whose relationship with the employee is considered a family relationship.
- Own serious health conditions excluding elective cosmetic surgery and preventative physical examinations.
- Qualifying exigency related to active duty in US Armed Forces.
What can I do if my employer violates the CFRA?
You can consult California’s Civil Rights Department regarding the violation of CFRA leave. When you make a formal complaint with them, they will conduct an investigation and try to settle the issue on your behalf. You can also sue your employer in court for denying the family and medical leave. In that case, you need to obtain a right-to-sue notice from CRD. Then you can file a lawsuit against your employer in the civil court.
Final Words
California Family Rights Act preserves the employee rights of the state under some serious family and medical conditions. If you follow this article, you can utilize the state-given benefits for your problems without any complicacy.
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/ Vitalii Vodolazskyi