The County of Ventura is supportive of employees who require leaves of absence due to illness or to provide care for family members. The benefits covered by FMLA, CFRA, and PDL provide employees with reasonable job-protected paid and unpaid leave for medical reasons and specified family care. These laws are intended to afford employees the ability to balance workplace demands with the needs of their families. This Leave of Absence Handbook provides information about each entitlement.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
FMLA/CFRA is federal and state laws which provide eligible employees up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job and benefit protected leave in a designated 12-month period. To be eligible for FMLA/CFRA, employees must have worked a minimum of 12-months, worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12-month period preceding the leave, and have a qualifying event.
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is state law that provides up to four months or 17 1/3 weeks of unpaid, job and benefit protected leave to employees who are incapacitated due to pregnancy or childbirth.
Depending on the type of leave or benefit requested, employees may be required to complete appropriate forms and comply with specific requirements. Generally, requests for leave of more than three consecutive working days must be made in writing. Employees should consult with their departmental personnel officer for additional information on available leaves, wage replacement benefits and requirements.
How to Request a Leave of Absence
Employees may complete a Leave of Absence Request form and provide 30 days advance notice of the need to take a leave to their supervisor, if foreseeable. When 30 days is not feasible, the employee must provide notice as soon as practical.
Employees are expected to adhere to attendance policies in addition to the guidelines set forth in the leave laws. For questions regarding FMLA, CFRA, or PDL, the employee should contact their agency/department Human Resources Representative.
