California Paid Leave: Sick Leave, CFRA & Wage Replacement

California requires paid sick leave under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (Labor Code §245 et seq.). The California Family Rights Act (CFRA, Government Code §12945.2) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected family/medical leave in a 12-month period for eligible employees (generally 12 months and 1,250 hours of service). California also pays partial wage replacement through State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave, administered by the EDD.

This is general information, not legal advice. Leave eligibility and pay turn on your hours, employer, and the program — talk to a California attorney about your situation.

California gives employees several overlapping leave rights. Understanding which one applies — and whether it’s paid — is the key.

Paid sick leave (Labor Code §245)

Under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (Labor Code § 245 et seq.), California requires employers to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees.

CFRA family and medical leave (Gov. Code §12945.2)

The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected family or medical leave in a 12-month period for eligible employees — generally those with at least 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours of service.

Wage replacement through the EDD

CFRA protects your job, but doesn’t itself pay you. California separately offers partial wage replacement through State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL), both administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD).

What to do

If you need leave, check which program fits your situation and apply on time. For the bigger picture, start at the California employment law hub. Being penalized for taking protected leave can also raise discrimination or retaliation issues. To get matched with a local California employment attorney, connect with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Does California require paid sick leave?

Yes. Under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (Labor Code §245 et seq.), California requires employers to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees.

What is the California Family Rights Act (CFRA)?

CFRA (Gov. Code §12945.2) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected family or medical leave in a 12-month period for eligible employees — generally those with at least 12 months and 1,250 hours of service.

Does California pay you during leave?

It can. California provides partial wage replacement through State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL), both administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD). These are separate from job-protection rights like CFRA.

Related guides

California At-Will Employment California Labor Code §2922 makes employment at-will: a job with no set term can be ended by either party. But California puts strong limits on that rule — you cannot be fired for an illegal reason, such as unlawful discrimination or retaliation (FEHA), whistleblowing (Labor Code §1102.5), or in violation of public policy (a Tameny wrongful-termination claim).

California Final Paycheck If an employer fires you, your final wages are due immediately under California Labor Code §201. If you quit, wages are due within 72 hours — or at the time of quitting if you gave at least 72 hours' notice (§202). If the employer willfully fails to pay on time, waiting-time penalties accrue at your daily rate for up to 30 days (§203).

California Meal and Rest Breaks California Labor Code §512 requires a 30-minute meal period for shifts over 5 hours (a second for shifts over 10 hours), with limited waivers for shorter days. Paid 10-minute rest breaks — roughly one per 4 hours worked — are required by the Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders. If an employer fails to provide a required meal or rest break, it owes the employee one extra hour of pay for that day (Labor Code §226.7).

California Wages and Overtime California's overtime law (Labor Code §510) is more generous than federal law: 1.5x pay for hours over 8 in a day, over 40 in a week, and the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday, plus double time (2x) for hours over 12 in a day and over 8 on the 7th consecutive day. The state minimum wage (Labor Code §1182.12) adjusts annually for inflation, and many cities and industries set higher minimums — always check the current rates.

California Workplace Discrimination The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California Government Code §12940, prohibits employment discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics — including race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, age (40+), and sexual orientation. It's enforced by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Most provisions apply to employers with 5+ employees, while harassment rules apply to all employers. Federal laws also apply.

California Paid Leave