FMLA Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
Guiding Employees Through Family Medical Leave in California
Have you been harassed or retaliated or discriminated against by your employer for taking or requesting a medical leave of absence?
Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) whether they are:
- Pregnant
- Disabled
- Or seriously ill
At Southern California Labor Law Group PC, our team of knowledgeable employment law attorneys frequently represents workers who need help navigating this complicated area of California labor law.
Please reach out to our California law firm today if you believe you are eligible for medical or disability leave but your request was denied or you were fired from your job after returning from approved leave. Call (424) 306-1515 or contact our Los Angeles FMLA attorneys online now.
Understanding FMLA in California: Your Rights & Protections
Since FMLA is a federal act, the rules are the same in California that they would be in any other state in the U.S. Any company that has a minimum of 50 employees is required to provide FMLA leave to any employees who meet the requirements.
Who Is Eligible for FMLA Leave?
The FMLA provides job-protected unpaid leave for employees who need to take time off from work for the following reasons:
- To take care of a “serious health condition” that prevents them from performing essential job functions
- For the birth of a child or providing care for a newborn
- To provide care of a family member with a serious medical condition
- To adopt a child
Qualifications for FMLA in California:
In order to qualify for leave under the FMLA, the employee must work for an employer with 50 or more employees working within 75 miles of the employee’s worksite. Eligible employees are entitled to 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period.
The employer also must continue providing benefits during this period. The 12-weeks of leave provided under the FMLA can be taken all at once or incrementally. After the leave period has expired, the employer must allow the employee to return to their position or an equivalent role within the company.
Steps to Apply for FMLA in California
In order to apply for Family Medical Leave, you will need to notify your employer of your intentions and provide them with the following information:
- Enough information about your medical condition or family member's condition to allow your employer to determine if the situation qualifies for FMLA
- Provide any necessary documentation required to prove that you or a family member have been receiving ongoing medical attention
It's important to keep in mind that if you are providing medical information to your employer, you are not required to disclose details about yours or a family member's illness, nor are you required to disclose private medical information that is protected by law.
If your employer is refusing to allow you to take FMLA leave in California, call Southern California Labor Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are knowledgeable in medical leave laws in California and can help you fight for your rights.
Notice Requirements for FMLA Leave in California
If you want to take leave for a qualifying illness or event that you can plan ahead for, then you must give your employer at least 30-days advance notice. If you require FMLA leave for an emergency situation, you must give your employer notice as soon as possible.
How Long Does an Employer Have to Hold Your Job While on FMLA Leave?
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act of California, you are allotted 12 work weeks of unpaid leave. During these 12 weeks, your job is protected by law. When you return to work, your employer is required to give you the same job you had before going on leave, or they must give you one with equivalent conditions (pay, benefits, seniority, etc.).
Contact Our Compassionate Los Angeles FMLA Lawyers
Contact our FMLA lawyers in Los Angeles if your employer has denied you medical and disability leave or refuses to give your old job back after an approved leave so that our compassionate legal professionals can discuss your situation and review all the options for holding your employer accountable under the law. We take pride in helping clients in Los Angeles fight back against their employers, and we are prepared to put our extensive resources to work for you today.
If you have been denied family, medical, or disability leave, you need a Family Medical Leave Act lawyer. For a FREE consultation with our FMLA attorneys, please call our office at (424) 306-1515 or fill out our online form.