Starting today, California workers needing time off to care for
sick family members or to bond with their newborn child will
receive it, and they will not have to worry about losing their jobs
or income.
By CHRISTINE TOGNETTI and JODI ENGLE
Starting today, California workers needing time off to care for sick family members or to bond with their newborn child will receive it, and they will not have to worry about losing their jobs or income.
Signed into law by former Gov. Gray Davis in 2002, the measure applies to an estimated 13 million workers statewide.
Employees will now be able to file for paid family leave, which allows them six weeks off with 55 percent of their pay, up to $728 per week. In 2005, the maximum amount will increase to $840.
The family leave program is funded entirely through payroll deduction and is an expansion of the state’s disability insurance program. Workers throughout the state have contributed .08 percent of their pay checks into the fund since January. About $130 million has been collected so far, according to the State Employment Development Department.
Shelley Giancola, human resources manager at Marich Confectionery in Hollister, employs 60 workers and 45 of them are eligible for the paid family leave. She said it will be difficult for the company to cover employees who take the leave, and that she was not in favor of the bill.
“It’s an unnecessary benefit,” she said. “I doubt many of our employees here will even use it. It’s just another way for people to take time off work and be protected.”
Other employers, however, are in favor the program.
Beth VanHorn, human resources director for Ridgemark Country Club, said she wished this law would have passed sooner, and that her employees are happy about it.
“My husband passed away two years ago and he was in the hospital for three months before he died,” she said. “I kept my job security, but it would have been nice to have 55 percent of my pay. I was basically living off of credit cards at that point.”
All 125 employees at Ridgemark are eligible for the paid family leave, and VanHorn said she’s doing everything she can to make sure they know what is available to them.
“We’ve had meetings with every employee and handed out pamphlets with information,” she said.
Assemblyman Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, voted for the new legislation.
“After hearing the debate and argument, it came down to a decision that parents have to make about choosing about caring for a critically ill child or spouse versus putting food on the table,” he said.
If the new plan works, Salinas said the program will lead to a healthy work environment where people know their employer is going to be supportive of their needs.
The program has fraud protection to prevent people from abusing it, such as requiring medical documentation supporting workers’ claims.The state will likely have to monitor the benefit to make sure it’s not being abused, Salinas said.
California is the first state to adopt the paid family leave law. For more information, log onto www.edd.ca.gov.
Christine Tognetti can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 330 or at [email protected].
