California PFL: The Leave of Absence Olympics... But Can You Break It Up?
Ah, California. Land of sunshine, sourdough, and... Paid Family Leave (PFL)! That magical eight-week chunk of time where you can bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member, or, well, pretend you have amnesia and need to rediscover yourself with a juice cleanse in Joshua Tree (hey, no judgment). But what if you can't swing eight whole weeks at once? Fear not, fellow Californians, because we're here to answer the burning question: Can you take California PFL intermittently?
The Short Answer (for the SparkNotes crowd): Yes, you can! Just like a delicious In-N-Out burger, you can totally split your PFL into bite-sized chunks. Take it hourly, daily, weekly - the choice is yours (though your employer might have a say in the scheduling specifics, so be sure to check with them).
The Long Answer (with Dad Jokes): Now, there is one exception to this intermittent leave fiesta. If you're using PFL for baby bonding under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), you generally have to take it in two-week increments. Think of it like those Costco-sized bags of gummy bears - tempting to plow through in one sitting, but maybe not the best strategy for your sanity (or your blood sugar). With baby bonding, though, there's a little more flexibility. You can break the two-week rule twice, so it's not quite as inflexible as a toddler clinging to a banned stuffed animal at bedtime.
But Wait, There's More! (Because California) Here are some other fun facts about California PFL, just for the heck of it:
- The clock is ticking: You gotta use those eight weeks within a 12-month period. So no saving them up for that inevitable robot uprising (unless that uprising happens within a year, in which case, good luck!).
- It ain't a blank check: You'll get about 60% of your wages, capped at a certain amount per week (check the CA.gov website for the latest figures). Basically, enough to keep the fridge stocked with avocados and keep your Netflix subscription going.
- Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork: There are forms to fill out, hoops to jump through. But hey, that's the price we pay for living in a state with benefits like PFL (and, you know, decent weather most of the time).
So there you have it! California PFL, your intermittent leave friend. Now go forth and conquer those life events, one well-timed leave chunk at a time! Just remember, when it comes to PFL, it's not a race, it's a marathon (unless you're using it for amnesia rediscovery, then maybe it is a race... against time?).
