Can I combine California PFL baby bonding with employer-provided leave or do I have to choose?

Yes! You can absolutely use both California PFL and your employer's parental leave. They're two separate benefits and you're entitled to both. The key is coordinating them properly. Most people use them in this order: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (if applicable) + SDI benefits 2. California PFL for baby bonding (8 weeks) 3. Employer-provided parental leave (your 6 weeks) Some employers require you to use their benefit concurrently with state benefits, while others allow consecutive use. You need to specifically ask your HR if they allow you to "supplement" or "stack" the benefits.

i had my baby last yr and used both!!! my work gave me 4 wks and then i got the CA bonding time after. but my friend at another company had to take them at the same time bc of her work policy. so it really depends on ur employer rules

The correct answer depends entirely on your employer's specific policy. California PFL provides approximately 60-70% of your wages up to a maximum benefit amount when you take time off to bond with a new child. This is a state benefit that you're entitled to regardless of what your employer offers. Your employer's policy will determine whether: 1. You can take their 6 weeks AFTER your state PFL (consecutive/stacked) 2. You must take their 6 weeks AT THE SAME TIME as your state PFL (concurrent/supplemental) In the concurrent scenario, your employer might pay the difference between the state benefit and your full salary. In the consecutive scenario, you could potentially get 14 weeks total (8 weeks state + 6 weeks employer). Ask your HR department specifically: "Is your parental leave policy concurrent with or consecutive to California PFL benefits?"

Don't forget that CA PFL is NOT job protected! You need CFRA for that! So many ppl don't know this and get confused.

I HATE how confusing they make this!!! When I had my baby last year, I spent HOURS on hold with EDD trying to figure out how to coordinate everything. I kept getting disconnected or getting different answers each time I called. So frustrating!!! Eventually I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in like 10 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video demo: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. It saved my sanity during maternity leave planning. The EDD rep was able to explain exactly how to file everything to maximize my benefits.

Here's my experience with combining benefits in 2024: 1. I took 4 weeks of pregnancy disability before birth (got SDI payments) 2. After birth, I remained on disability for 6 more weeks for vaginal delivery recovery (8 weeks for c-section is standard) 3. THEN I took 8 weeks of California PFL for baby bonding 4. FINALLY I took my employer's 10 weeks of parental leave Total time off: 18 weeks (would be 20 if I had a c-section)! But again, it depends on your employer's policies. Mine specifically stated that their parental leave could be taken after state benefits. Get your hands on your company's written policy.

wait i thought california pfl was 6 weeks not 8??

Another thing to consider - if u have a partner, they can also get 8 wks PFL for bonding too! My husband and I staggered our leaves so baby had parent home longer

One more important point: When you apply for PFL through EDD, you'll need to use the DE2508 form. Make sure to indicate the correct start date based on when your employer leave ends (if taking consecutively) or when your baby is born/adopted (if taking concurrently). Your doctor will need to verify the birth date. Also, remember you don't have to take all 8 weeks at once - you can split it up within the first year of your baby's life.