Hi, I have only been at my job a few months. Can anyone please help me understand what my rights are to maternity leave, disability, etc - both paid and unpaid? I've been doing some research and have come across FMLA, SDI, PFL, CFRA but I don't think I qualify for all of these. I think I only qualify for the latter two but then I don't know how they really differ. I'd like to know the max amount of time I am legally allowed off for my child and whether I can get paid for any of it. Thank you in advance!

rtsgirl: I have only been at my job a few months... I've been doing some research and have come across FMLA, SDI, PFL, CFRA but I don't think I qualify for all of these.

Review these websites for more information:

FMLA http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/1421.htm#4
CFRA http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/Statutes/cfraEligibility.asp,
SDI http://www.edd.ca.gov/direp/difaq1.htm#Pregnancy
PFL http://www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaimpfl.htm

thanks for the info, barry. but i don't see anywhere on the SDI and PFL sites that say i don't qualify because i am a new employee. i do see the 12mo requirement for the other two programs. does anyone else know? it looks like i'd be entitled to 4 wks under sdi and 6 wks under PFL so does that i mean i can take 10 wks off? looks like only the 6 wks are paid though i'm not sure. thanks everyone!

SDI is not employer-specific. If you have enough wages/taxes for eligibility, that's all that matters.

Need to know how many employees your company has to verify how much time you can take off. California mandates unpaid pregnancy leave for all employers with over 5 employees. This leave lasts for the duration of your disability due to pregnancy.

PFL is separate from SDI. You are eligible for SDI for the entire time that the doctor says that you are disabled due to the pregnancy. This is typically 4 weeks prior and 6 weeks after. Assuming you went 6 weeks after, you would still be eligible for 6 weeks of PFL after the SDI. However, PFL is unprotected leave. As a new employee, your employer may not feel obligated to keep you around if you extended your leave.

rtsgirl: thanks for the info, barry. but i don't see anywhere on the SDI and PFL sites that say i don't qualify because i am a new employee.

That is correct. You generally are eligible for these benefits regardless of how long you have worked for your present employer, although your benefit payments may be limited if you haven't been working at this (or a previous) job very long.

my firm over 5 employees and i've been in the workforce for several years. so, it sounds like i might be entitled to 12 weeks off total (SDI plus PFL), huh? is only the SDI portion paid? thanks again for all your help!

rtsgirl: Is only the SDI portion paid?

There is a reason they call it Paid Family Leave (PFL) ;)

duh! clearly, pregnancy has done damaged a few brain cells -- let's just hope it's not permanent!