Welcoming a new member to your family is an exciting time, but it often comes with questions and concerns about how it might impact your career. Understanding your rights to pregnancy leave is crucial for ensuring you can focus on your health and your growing family without risking your job. Pregnancy leave is a protected period of time off work that employees can take for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. In California, several laws protect your right to take this leave, but the rules can be complex. If you believe your rights have been violated, the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC is here to help you understand your options and seek the leave you are entitled to.
California provides some of the most comprehensive pregnancy leave laws in the country. Several state and federal laws can apply, and they often work together to provide job protection and benefits. The main laws to be aware of are the Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Eligibility for pregnancy leave depends on which law applies to your situation. The requirements vary based on your employer’s size and how long you have worked there.
The amount of leave you can take depends on your specific circumstances and which laws you qualify for.
A major concern for any employee taking leave is whether their job and benefits will be secure. Both state and federal laws offer significant protections. During a qualified leave under PDL, FMLA, and CFRA, your employer is required to maintain your health insurance benefits under the same conditions as if you were actively working.
Furthermore, these laws provide job protection. When you return from leave, you must be reinstated to the same or a comparable position. An employer cannot demote you, reduce your pay, or terminate your employment because you took protected pregnancy leave.
Despite these clear legal protections, some employers may unlawfully deny pregnancy leave or retaliate against employees who take it. This can look like being fired, demoted, or unfairly treated after returning from leave. If your employer has denied your request for leave or you have faced negative consequences for taking it, you have the right to take legal action.
Navigating pregnancy leave can be complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. Understanding the protections offered by PDL, FMLA, and CFRA is the first step toward ensuring your job is secure while you focus on what matters most.
If you believe your employer has violated your right to pregnancy leave, it is important to seek legal guidance. Contact the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro for a consultation to learn how we can help.
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
Settlement after arbitration in a disability discrimination case involving a tech worker.
Settlement after successful jury verdict in disability discrimination case.
Arbitration award in race harassment and discrimination suit.
Arbitration award obtained on behalf of employee terminated on account of his national origin.
Settlement on behalf of a janitor in a medical leave retaliation case.
Jury verdict obtained on behalf of long-term employee in suit for unpaid wages.
Settlement for employee that was retaliated against on account of reporting discrimination.
Settlement for employee discriminated against on account of her gender and age.
Pre-litigation settlement for victim of race & national origin discrimination.
Settlement negotiated in a gender discrimination case.