Appreciating the People Behind the Policies: A Reflection on Leave Laws and Workplace Support

At NorCal Advocates, we pride ourselves on championing the rights of employees and consumers, but with this post, we want to acknowledge something that often goes unspoken: the value of the people and policies that support families during life’s most critical moments.

Our co-founder, Connor Olson, recently shared a personal milestone: becoming a father to twin girls. While the joy of welcoming new life is unparalleled, it also served as a poignant reminder of the importance of leave laws and workplace support systems. For Connor, the ability to step away from work and be fully present for his family was a gift—one that not all employees have the chance to experience.

As employment attorneys, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when businesses fail to comply with family leave laws. We’ve represented workers forced to choose between their jobs and their families, and we’ve held employers accountable for failing to meet their obligations. But we’ve also witnessed what it looks like when workplaces get it right: businesses that not only meet the legal standard but go above and beyond to foster a culture of support.
 
These moments of support don’t just happen because a law exists; they happen because of the people behind the policies. The colleagues who pick up the slack when a teammate is on leave. The managers who recognize that family comes first. The employers who see the long-term value in treating their workers with dignity and compassion.
 
California has some of the strongest parental leave protections in the nation, ensuring that employees can take the time they need to care for their families without fear of losing their jobs or financial stability. The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) grants eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a new child, or to care for a seriously ill family member or their own serious health condition. (Gov. Code § 12945.2.)
 
In addition to job protection, the Paid Family Leave (PFL) program offers up to eight weeks of partial wage replacement benefits to employees who take time off to care for a new child or a seriously ill family member. This program, administered through the Employment Development Department (EDD), helps families stay afloat financially while prioritizing their loved ones. (Unemp. Ins. Code § 3300.)
 
Beyond statewide protections, some local governments go even further. Take, for example, San Francisco’s Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO), which requires employers with 20 or more employees in San Francisco to supplement the state's PFL benefits so that employees receive up to 100% of their normal wages for up to eight weeks. This ordinance demonstrates how cities can enact their own laws to further support working families. (SF Admin. Code Ch. 12W.)
 
We want to take a moment to say thank you—to the companies doing the right thing and the individuals who make it possible. Your efforts create a ripple effect, fostering loyalty, productivity, and trust. And more than that, you’re shaping a world where workers don’t have to choose between their careers and their families.
 
To the employees navigating this balance, know that your rights matter, and we’re here to ensure they’re upheld. To the employers making it work, know that your support doesn’t go unnoticed. Together, we can build a workplace culture where everyone thrives.
 
If you believe your employer is not honoring your parental leave rights, NorCal Advocates is here to help. We are dedicated to ensuring that every worker receives the protections they deserve, so they can focus on what matters most—family.