Family Leave

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act give eligible employees certain rights.

• Question and answers on the Family and Medical Leave Act - PDF
• Comparison of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act regulations - PDF

Forms

• "Notice of Eligibility and Rights and Responsibilities" (DPA 752) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print
• "Designation Notice" (DPA 753) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print
• "Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee's Serious Health Condition" (DPA 754) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print This new and improved form adds a section for essential functions of the job and adds a section for the health provider to put the actual time an employee may need intermittent leave.
• "Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member's Serious Health Condition" (DPA 755) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print
• "Certification of Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave" (Family and Medical Leave Act) (DPA 756) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print
• "Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Covered Servicemember for Military Caregiver Leave" (DPA 757) - PDF | Word Document fill-and-print

New child

You're entitled to a one year unpaid, job-protected leave of absence for birth or adoption. You may use leave credits to receive pay for some or all of the time off.

For birth, you can also use

• Non-Industrial Disability Insurance (for excluded employees and rank-and-file employees in units 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, and 19) or
• State Disability Insurance (for rank-and-file employees in units 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, and 21).

Illness

You're entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. This applies when you care for

• a parent, spouse, or child who is seriously ill
• your own serious illness.

What happens to my health, dental, and vision benefits while I'm on family and medical leave?

The law requires the employer to continue making the normal contributions to your health, dental, and vision benefits while you're on family and medical leave.

Extended unpaid leave of absence

Departments may grant an unpaid leave of absence for up to one year for various reasons such as caring for a new child, family crises, or family activities. Such leave may be extended when unusual circumstances warrant it. You should always check with your personnel office if contemplating using such leave.

Military caregiver leave

You're entitled to 26 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. This applies when you care for a family service member with a serious illness or injury received in the line of active duty.

• The service member must be a current member of the Armed Forces, Guard, or Reserves, or on temporary disability retirement. Former members and those on permanent disability aren't covered.
• You must be the service member's parent, spouse, child, or next of kin. Parents-in-law are not eligible.
• The 26 weeks is not in addition to the 12 weeks you'd receive to treat an illness. You get a total of 26 weeks.

More information on military caregiver leave - PDF

Use the forms linked below to claim your leave rights.

Qualifying exigency leave

You're entitled to 12 weeks of leave when a family National Guard or State Reserve member is called to duty by the federal government. You can claim qualifying exigency leave for:

• deployment on short notice - meaning less than seven days notice
• military events, ceremonies, or programs related to active duty
• childcare or school activities
• financial or legal appointments
• counseling
• rest and recuperation
• post-deployment activities such as arrival ceremonies and reintegration briefings
• additional activities agreed upon by your employer

More information on qualifying exigency leave - PDF

Use the forms linked below to claim your leave rights.

Forms for military caregiver leave and qualifying exigency leave

• "Notice of Eligibility and Rights & Responsibilities" (DPA 752)
• "Designation Notice" (DPA 753)
• "Certification of Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave" (DPA 756) - Word
• "Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Covered Service Member - For Military Family Leave" (DPA 757) - Word

Updated June 22, 2011 at 1:22 PM.