CA Pregnancy Disability Leave

California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (CFDLL) permits a female employee up to four months of unpaid job protected leave for the period during which she is disabled due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. 

You will get your job back, but can you afford the lost income?  California has a series of pregnancy and maternity laws which provide job protection and partial income replacement - 55%.  How long can you pay your bills with a 45% cut in pay?  What you will learn on this page:

• Key provisions
• Primary benefits
• Who is covered
• How to increase your income replacement
  
  

Under the CA Pregnancy Disability Leave Act you are considered disabled if you are unable to perform one or more essential functions of your job due to pregnancy or a related health condition.

If your doctor says you can work an intermittent schedule or have a reduced workload, your employer must accommodate. This can include changing duties of the current position, or moving you to a position with equivalent pay and benefits for which you are qualified.

You are required to provide medical verification from your doctor. Reasons to take the leave include:

* Severe morning sickness
* Prenatal care
* Physician-ordered bed rest
* Childbirth
* Recovery from childbirth

The CA pregnancy disability leave act requires that the position be held during the four months’ absence. It does not require your employer to pay you during this time.

During your period of disability, you may use any accrued leave your employer makes available to temporarily disabled employees.  After your pregnancy disability leave ends, you may be eligible to request an additional 12 weeks of unpaid leave for bonding with your new child - if your employer is covered by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

More employers are covered under California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law than are covered under either the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

All California employers with at least 5 employees are covered by Pregnancy Disability Leave Law. So, even if your employer tells you they do not offer FMLA or CFRA, you may still be entitled to time off from work to accommodate a pregnancy related disability.

California SDI will replace a portion of your income should you experience pregnancy complications and miss work.  It will also cover your maternity leave, and an additional 6 weeks to bond with your baby. 

Can you continue to pay your bills for up to 7 months with a 45% pay cut?  If not, consider purchasing supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant.