You shouldn’t lose your job just because someone in your family needs you. But some employers act like your time off is a problem rather than a right.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our Los Angeles family leave lawyers can help you hold the line when your boss cuts your hours, denies your request, or punishes you for showing up for your family.
A Los Angeles employment lawyer will walk you through your rights and make sure no one takes advantage of your situation. Give us a call today.
Understanding Family Leave Rights in Los Angeles
Family leave laws give you the legal right to take unpaid time off for specific personal or family-related reasons. Under California and federal law, you can take leave in order to:
- The birth or adoption of a child
- Caring for a seriously ill family member
- Recovering from a serious personal health condition
You may qualify under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Both allow up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave each year, but they have different rules. Not every situation fits neatly into a statute. An attorney can explain which laws apply and whether your employer crossed the line.
Family leave can overlap with disability accommodations, pregnancy leave, or workers’ comp. If you’re not sure how your time off fits into these categories, don’t rely on HR to guide you. Talk to someone who works for you, not the company.
When Employers Cross the Line
Some employers deny valid leave requests. Others pretend to support you—until you return to a demotion or a cold shoulder. Illegal actions include:
- Firing or laying you off for using leave
- Demoting you or cutting pay
- Refusing to return you to the same or a similar position
- Taking away responsibilities or benefits
These aren’t just bad business practices. They’re violations. A Los Angeles family leave attorney can help you call them out. We’ve seen employers make up performance issues, backdate write-ups, or suddenly label a long-standing employee as “difficult.” If the timing feels off, it probably is. We’ll help you prove it.
What to Do if Your Leave Rights Are Violated
Start by writing everything down. Save emails and messages. Log the names, dates, and conversations that raise red flags.
Don’t quit without talking to a lawyer. Don’t sign paperwork under pressure. A Los Angeles family leave attorney can explain your options and keep your employer from rewriting the truth. Many workers walk away because they feel powerless. We step in to level the playing field.
We may also recommend filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That preserves your right to take the case to court if needed.
Your Rights Under California Law
California’s CFRA covers more workers than federal law. You don’t need to work full time, and your definition of family includes:
- Domestic partners
- Adult children
- In-laws
You may also qualify for:
- Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)
- Paid Family Leave (through the EDD)
- Accommodations after pregnancy or surgery
When companies deny or mishandle any of these benefits, a Los Angeles family leave lawyer can help you push back. California also has stricter rules about retaliation and provides longer timelines to take legal action. We know how to use those protections to your advantage.
Retaliation After Family Leave
The law says you should return to your job or one just like it. But retaliation can show up in small ways, such as through exclusion, reassignment, write-ups, or disrespect.
You’re not imagining it. And you’re not wrong for needing time off. A Los Angeles family leave attorney can connect the dots and help you speak up. Retaliation cases often hinge on timing and documentation. Our team knows how to track both.
Even if your employer says the changes were “coincidence” or “company-wide,” we’ll look at patterns and dig into their real motives. We’ve seen how retaliation hides in plain sight.
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How a Los Angeles Family Leave Lawyer Can Help
We start by listening. We ask the questions your employer hopes no one will ask. Then, we build a case that makes the truth impossible to ignore.
We explain your rights under California and federal law. We gather and protect the evidence, file any necessary claims, and demand what you’re owed, whether that’s reinstatement, lost pay, or both.
Some clients want to go back to work. Others want to move on with justice in hand. Once we’re involved, your employer knows you’re not alone, and that changes everything.
What You Can Recover in a Family Leave Case
When an employer breaks the law, the court can order them to pay for the harm they caused. That includes:
- Lost income or benefits
- Emotional distress
- Legal fees and court costs
- Reinstatement or front pay
- Civil penalties under California law
A Los Angeles family leave lawyer can calculate what you’re owed and help you get it. If your employer acted maliciously, you may also qualify for punitive damages. That’s money meant to punish wrongdoing and prevent it from happening again.
Can I Still Take Leave if I Work Part-Time?
Yes, you may still qualify. The CFRA protects more part-time workers than federal law. If you’ve worked for your employer for at least 12 months and logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year, you likely meet the threshold, even if you’re not full-time.
Some companies tell part-time employees they aren’t eligible, but that’s not always true. The law looks at your total hours, not your job title. A Los Angeles family leave lawyer can review your work history and make sure your employer isn’t dodging their responsibility.
These Cases Aren’t Just About Law—They’re About Real Life
Behind every case, there’s a story: a sick parent, a newborn, or a diagnosis that changes everything. The people who come to us aren’t looking for pity. They’re looking for respect and a way to move forward.
If your boss treated you like a problem for putting your family first, that says more about them than it does about you. We make sure the court sees it that way, too. We’ve helped recover millions for people who felt powerless. Our results speak for themselves.
Call Omega Law Group today to get in touch with a Los Angeles family leave lawyer. You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re asking for fairness, and we’ll fight for that with you.
