Workers need time off to care for themselves and their loved ones. Family and medical leave is for workers who need time off to:

• Treat their own serious health condition
• Care for a family member with a serious health condition
• Bond with a new child

You may have rights to family and medical leave through state and/or federal law, employer policy, or union contract.  To learn more about your right to take leave, read these fact sheets from the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center. 

Access to income during leave is a critical issue for most families.  If you contribute to theCalifornia State Disability Insurance (SDI) fund, you are eligible to receive income replacement through two state-run insurance programs during leave:

• Disability Insurance (DI) when you are on leave for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy-related leave
• Paid Family Leave (PFL) when you are on leave to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child

Click here for information about the DI program. 

Follow the links below to learn more about the PFL program.

• Basics of PFL program

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Materials for Your Workplace

• Unions and the PFL program