The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of non-paid protected leave during the first 12 months after the birth of a child, foster placement, or adoption completion. CFRA is vital for new parents to adjust to their new family life and bond with their new family members without worrying about losing their jobs or health benefits.
Strategically using CFRA ensures that everyone has time and energy to be present during those early stages of child and family development in an impactful and positive way. Despite how important this time is, many parents are not aware of all of the rights CFRA secures them and the different ways they can combine and coordinate their time off. Parents creating an effective and balanced leave schedule is essential to kicking off a successful and bright future for their new family.
Understanding Parental Leave Under the CFRA
Designed to cover a wide range of employees in California, an employee qualifies for CFRA if:
- They work for an employer with five or more employees.
- They have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months.
- They have at least 12 months of service with their employer.
CFRA ensures new parents 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for child bonding and family development after birth, adoption, or foster placement. This leave can be taken during the first year after the child’s arrival. For birthing parents, it is important to note that CFRA is separate from Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL). If a birthing parent is left disabled at any point during their pregnancy, they are entitled to both PDL (up to four months, depending on the severity of the disability) and CFRA.
While some employers allow pay continuation for employees using CFRA, for some or all of the 12 weeks, the act only requires 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Even though employees are entitled to take that time off and are guaranteed the same job and title once they return to work, companies are not required to pay them. Employees who work at companies that decide not to pay those who use this 12-week leave can face financial stress, but there are ways to supplement any unpaid time. During CFRA leave, employees may be eligible for wage replacement benefits from the California Family Paid Leave (PFL) for up to eight weeks. Employees may need to use PTO, vacation time, sick leave, or Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) to supplement other weeks.
Coordinating Parental Leave Between Two Parents
When two parents are involved with a new family, they must coordinate their leave effectively. CFRA allows each parent to take their own, individual 12-week leave. Suppose both parents work for the same employer. In that case, however, the company may have policies to limit the amount of combined time taken by both parents. Employees should work with HR to understand how the company treats CFRA leave.
Parents do not have to take the same period of leave, though. Alternating when parents use their leave can provide an extended period of care for the new child. Parents can take their 12 weeks at any point during the year after the birth, adoption, or foster placement, so they can have a combined 24 weeks of care, one taking their 12 weeks right away while the other takes their leave after the other returns to work.
Another way to strategically leverage CFRA is to have parents switch off when they take leave. Both may want to take two weeks together right after the birth, adoption, or placement and then alternate their leaves monthly until they’ve used all of their 12 weeks. This rotational leave allows a parental presence to always be available to the child during the critical early stages of their life or adoption/foster transition. Switching up when parents are home together and when one is away while one says home can also help to establish different family dynamics. How parents use intermittent leave is dependent on what type of flexibility an employer provides to those using CFRA.
The best way to maximize the benefits of CFRA for the family depends on a few factors, such as the child’s development, employer flexibility, and work responsibilities. The first year of a child’s life, or the adjustment period for an adoption or foster placement, is a fragile time, and having a parent always available can smooth out the rough patches. Sudden health emergencies can also creep up, and the ability to be flexible with leave is essential. Flexibility depends on both the parents and employer.
Parents should be prepared to change their CFRA plans to help with their child’s changing needs. Still, these plans may be limited based on the employer’s policies regarding how employees can use CFRA, such as a two-week minimum per use or the ability to use part-time leave. Working with the employer is imperative to ensure that your rights and your job are protected. Work responsibilities may also play a part in effectively dividing up CFRA. If specific projects or deadlines are known ahead of time, parents can be proactive in planning who uses leave when, which can also help with stress when a parent returns to work.
Legal Rights and Employer Compliance
Employers cannot refuse employees requesting CFRA leave if they are eligible, nor can they retaliate against employees who use it. Employees are entitled to take their full 12 weeks of leave without facing negative consequences, such as being demoted upon returning to work, receiving negative feedback for taking their full leave or losing their jobs entirely. Common CFRA violations employers commit include:
- Wrongfully denying leave requests: An employer may try denying their employee leave when eligible, citing a number of reasons, including project needs, future deadlines, or impending company changes, which is against the law.
- Pressuring employees to return early: An employer may pressure an employee to return from leave early to work on new projects, help meet deadlines, or cover duties for employees who left while they were away. They may also threaten the employee with negative reviews if they take their full leave.
- Retaliating against workers who take their full leave: Employees may face new obstacles after returning to work as an employer’s way of retaliating against them, such as demoting the employee, passing them over for promotions, or eliminating their position altogether.
If an employee thinks their employer has violated CFRA rights through direct actions, unjust policies, or passive negligence, they should file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the U.S. Department of Labor. An employee should keep a written record of any resistance, retaliation, or other adverse response to CFRA use and consult with an experienced employment law attorney.
Tips for Negotiating Parental Leave With Employers
Though it is an employer’s responsibility to comply with CFRA and other employment laws, there are steps you can take to help avoid any stress or confusion when planning to take any form of leave. Communicating early with HR and managers allows plenty of time to make any necessary accommodations, set up coworkers for success, and create a specific coverage plan long before it is needed. Making sure your colleagues have everything they need while you’re gone can also relieve, creating a healthier environment for your new family.
HR partners will also know the company’s specific policies around CFRA. They can help you create a CFRA plan that best suits your family’s needs. Some companies may allow part-time leave instead of full-time, either taking afternoons off or working three days a week instead of five. This accommodation could allow extra care and bonding time beyond the first 12 weeks. Another option to which you may have access is working from home full- or part-time so you can multitask between work and taking care of your child.
Knowing your rights under CFRA and being able to cite what California law guarantees can help you assert yourself against any employer pushback. Keep written records of all communications and events regarding your leave, especially moments that infringe on your CFRA rights, and file a formal complaint with both HR and the CRC if necessary.
Professional Legal Counsel for CFRA Claims
Maximizing the benefits of CFRA and effectively dividing up leave between parents is vital for a family’s healthy growth and development. Doing so ensures proper bonding time for the family and less worrying for the parents. They don’t need to be concerned about keeping their job during those 12 weeks. They can intermittently return to work in order to lighten the workload when they are done with leave. Understanding the rights you receive from CFRA and any company policies pertaining to it will help you create a unique post-birth, adoption, and foster plan that best accommodates your family’s needs and does not leave your company without coverage. Doing so will also help you recognize when your rights are being violated and when to contact an experienced employment law firm, such as Le Clerc & Le Clerc, LLP, to ensure your rights are protected.