Legal Question in Medical Leave in California

The general rules:

If and when you are denied legally protected leave, or are illegally discriminated or retaliated against because of requesting or taking the leave, or you are refused accommodation, then you can consider legal claims.

An employer is not allowed to 'discriminate' against a legally defined "disability", including pregnancy, by any adverse employment action like termination, demotion, harassment, hostile environment, etc. An employer is obligated to provide 'reasonable' accommodation of a disability/pregnancy upon proper notice of valid medical requirements, if accommodation can be done without substantial burden to the company, and accommodation will allow you to still perform all the essential functions of your job. Violation is grounds for a lawsuit. Every case is determined upon its merits and all the facts.

If your CA employer has at least 5 employees, they can not fire you because you are pregnant, must allow you to continue working as long as you are able, must 'reasonably' accommodate your disability, must allow up to 4 months of unpaid pregnancy leave under FEHA, and return you to the same or an equivalent job upon return to work, with accrued benefits.

If your CA employer has at least 50 employees, and you are employed for at least 12 months, have at least 1,250 hours worked in the 12 months prior to the leave, then you would be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA / CFRA maternity / medical leave when you are unable to work [or must care for an immediate family member] because of a �SERIOUS health condition� [that is properly confirmed and documented by your doctor], continuation of group health benefits, restoration to the same or an equivalent job upon return to work, with accrued benefits. The leave may be taken on reasonable intermittent basis if that need is properly documented by your medical provider. Being out sick with the minor illness or injury does not fall within the protections.

If you qualify for both, you get both. If you are out longer than those guarantees, they can fire you.

If your company has a policy requiring they hold your job for you for a specific period of time while on disability, longer than the FMLA / CFRA rules provide, that is enforceable.

Upon termination from employment, you are entitled to COBRA conversion of your medical benefits [if any], allowing you to pay for and retain your insurance coverage.

Overriding those stated protections, just because you are on leave does not mean you can�t be terminated. You have no special exemption against lay offs or termination due to business reasons. A company in downsizing can lay off a FMLA / CFRA leave person, as long as they can show they aren�t targeting �because of the leave�. They are simply risking claims if they do.

In your case, that last issue is exactly on point. You would have to show that everyone else but you was allowed to move to the new company or retain their jobs. If numerous others lost their jobs, you have no case, since you weren't treated 'differently' just because of pregnancy.

Now, if they violated those rules, and you think you can prove what is necessary, contact me for the legal help you'll need. I'll be happy to do so. I've been doing these cases for over 20 years.