California’s Assembly Bills 2499 (AB 2499), 2123 (AB 2123), and Senate Bill 1090 (SB 1090) have significantly enhanced employees’ rights to leave benefits. Making changes to traditional leave benefits, these new laws allow workers greater flexibility when needing to take time off, whether due to personal reasons or victimization of violence.

AB 2499 focuses on expanding protections for victims of violence. This change allows employees to take time off for assisting family members affected by qualifying violent acts using any available leave such as vacation time, personal leave, or paid sick leave. The leave protections are now under the purview of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and any breaches of these protections are addressed by the California Civil Rights Department.

AB 2123 prevents employers from requiring employees to use up their accrued vacation time before accessing benefits under California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. This change allows employees to immediately access their PFL benefits, increasing their flexibility and reducing administrative requirements. This update may pose a challenge for employers who will need to plan for potentially more extensive absences.

SB 1090 permits workers to apply for PFL up to thirty days before starting their leave, enhancing the process efficiency of applying for and receiving PFL. This bill also increases the benefits workers can receive while on PFL. Workers can now receive seventy percent of their regular income, with low-income workers receiving up to ninety percent.

California’s employee leave laws are evolving, and it’s crucial for employers to stay informed to ensure they meet their new responsibilities.

If you need assistance with California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program or if you have questions about how these new bills affect your employee rights, it is best to contact a representative. Knowing how to contact PFL or how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave can ensure you take full advantage of the benefits you’re entitled to. For further assistance or to clarify any queries related to these bills, or to get further information about the PFL laws, a reliable resource is eddcaller.com. It provides accurate and timely information to help employees navigate through the system efficiently.