|
|
Last Modified on
Jan 15, 2026
Becoming a parent in California leads to major life changes. Understanding your rights under California paternity and maternity leave laws is crucial for ensuring that you get the time you are lawfully allowed to spend with your newborn. California blends state and federal protections, including Pregnancy Disability Leave, the California Family Rights Act, and Paid Family Leave benefits.
A Dedicated Plaintiff’s Employment Law Firm Serving Tarzana
Pregnancy discrimination threatens your health, career, and financial stability. Gruzen Moussly Law provides focused representation for expectant and new mothers facing unlawful treatment at work. Our attorneys can take decisive action to protect your rights while offering steady support throughout your case. With decades of experience and a record of favorable results, our dedicated team of Employment lawyers stand ready to secure justice when discrimination disrupts your livelihood.
Understanding Paternity and Maternity Rights in California
Three laws provide important protections for parents seeking paternity or medical leave in California. Pregnancy Disability Leave provides time off when pregnancy or childbirth causes medical disability. The California Family Rights Act offers job-protected bonding leave for new parents, including adoptive and foster placements.
Paid Family Leave supplies partial wage replacement during the bonding period. Expectant parents should also protect pregnancy rights in the workplace by documenting all interactions regarding their leave requests. Whether you live in Sherman Oaks, Encino, or Studio City, these laws work together to provide protection and support through one of life’s biggest transitions.
In 2022, employees filed an average of 706 retaliation claims per month with the state’s Labor Commissioner’s Office, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) logged 88,531 new discrimination charges in fiscal year 2024, a clear sign that parents-to-be still face workplace risks. For the many Californians preparing to grow their families, including the 5.2% of women in Tarzana who gave birth over the past year, understanding these laws is essential.
Why You Should Hire a Maternity Leave Lawyer
If your paternity rights were violated by your employer, your top priority should be to hire a maternity leave lawyer who understands your rights and how to take decisive legal action on your behalf. With representation from a California paternity leave lawyer, you benefit from their years of managing complex paternity leave cases with a focus on maximizing the compensation for their clients.
A maternity leave attorney can take the time to learn about the financial and emotional hardships you suffered so your settlement accounts for all of your losses. You may also need to understand your rights regarding FMLA and CFRA violations if your job was not protected during your absence. Throughout the process, having legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and your interests are safeguarded by a knowledgeable and skilled advocate.
Get Legal Help to Defend Your Parental Leave and Workplace Rights
Understanding California’s 2025 paternity and maternity leave laws helps you protect your job, income, and growing family. These protections exist so parents can focus on recovery and bonding without fear of losing work or facing retaliation. The legal team at Gruzen Moussly Law can provide you with the guidance you need to understand your rights and options.
If you believe your rights were violated or your employer failed to honor required leave, guidance from our employment attorney may help you pursue accountability. Knowing your rights is the first step toward ensuring you and your family are treated fairly. We offer free initial consultations. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you protect your rights.
California Paternity leave Resources
