Paid Time Off (PTO)
California does not have any state laws that govern paid time off. However, it is common for employers to decide whether to offer paid or unpaid vacation leave.
This must comply with employment law and must be stipulated in the collective bargaining agreements.
Public Holidays
There are 11 public holidays.
Sick Days
An employer to follow the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons (maternity leave, serious illnesses, or if the employee needs to care for a spouse or child).
Employees are eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least one year, completed a minimum of 1,250 hours over the past year, and worked at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 12working weeks of leave in any one year for a child’s birth and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth.
For employers with 5 or more employees, the Pregnancy Disability Leave entitles employees who have disabilities related to pregnancy or the child’s birth up to four months of unpaid maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
In California, there are three laws regarding Paternity Leave:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
- The New Parent Leave Act (applies to employers with 20 – 49 employees)
All three entitle new fathers to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.