What you need to know
Employees in California have access to state-provided disability benefits, which supplement Sandia’s sickness absence and paid family leave benefit programs.
California Salary Replacement Programs
California’s state disability benefits provide salary replacement if you are unable to work because of a non-work-related illness or injury, pregnancy, or childbirth.
In addition, California’s paid family leave program provides salary replacement benefits while new mothers and fathers are away from work bonding with a new child or you need time off to care for an ill family member.
Here’s how it works:
- Sandia’s sickness absence leave provides 100% salary replacement for six weeks of your leave.
- After your initial six weeks away, Sandia’s sickness absence program provides an additional 20 weeks of leave at 70% salary replacement. California’s state disability insurance (SDI) program may supplement your income during this time. For most employees, this delivers up to 100% income replacement.
- In addition, California’s paid family leave (PFL) program provides up to 60% to 70% salary replacement for up to eight weeks. (A maximum benefit applies.) You can use this time to care for a sick family member or bond with a new child.
- To receive these additional benefits, California employees are required to pay into the state’s program.
You can use Sandia’s paid family leave and California’s paid family leave for a total of 12 weeks of leave. Or, you can use California’s program concurrently with Sandia’s program for higher income replacement while you are away.
California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
Similar to FMLA, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides you with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period. CFRA protects your job while you are away. You can use CFRA leave to:
- Bond with your new child
- Care for a sick family member
- Care for yourself if you cannot work because of your own illness
CFRA runs concurrently with FMLA and other Sandia time away from work benefits, including sickness absence leave, except for pregnancy leave.
Almost ready?
HR Solutions is here to help you plan your time for bonding with your new addition.
For California-specific benefits, contact a CA Medical Case Manager from the Division 8000 Operations Absent Management Services page.
Quick Tip
Get help planning your leave
Navigating California’s leave programs can seem complicated. Get in touch with an HR Solutions representative to learn about all of your options and how you can combine Sandia’s time away from work benefits, including paid family leave and vacation, to best meet your needs. For California-specific benefits, contact a CA Medical Case Manager from the Division 8000 Operations Absent Management Services page.