What should I do if an employee requests leave for family and medical reasons?

In some circumstances, an employee may request leave for family and medical reasons. The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitle eligible employees to unpaid, job protected leave under defined circumstances. If you employ five or more employees, you are covered by the CFRA. If you employ 50 or more employees, you are covered by the FMLA.

The CFRA and the FMLA both provide a maximum of 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period for an employee’s own serious health condition; caring for a family member with a serious health condition; bonding with a newborn, adopted or foster care child; and leave due to a