Understanding UPTE Family
and Parental Leaves
UPTE members secured improved childcaring leave in our 2025 contract fight. These charts explain how different leaves work and interact and who is eligible for each one.
Four key takeaways from these charts:
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is separate from bonding leave
Bonding Leave (California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Childcaring Leave (CCL)) starts after Pregnancy Disability ends; they do not run concurrently
Childcaring Leave is available even if you are not CFRA eligible
The portion of the childcaring leave under CFRA (up to 3 months of the total 6 month childcaring leave period) can be taken intermittently (usually in 2-weeks increments) within the first year of birth or placement of the child.
| Situation | Leave types | Length | Eligibility | Pay/Income | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caring for family members | FMLA/CFRA | Up to 12 weeks | 12 months + 1,250 hours | - Unpaid (PTO/Vacation/Sick may be used) - PFCB available if on qualifying CFRA leave | Covers child, grandchild, etc. |
| Pregnancy | Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) | - Up to 4 months - May be extended if medically necessary under UC disability policy - May be used intermittently based on need - May have reduced schedule or temporary transfer based on need |
- No minimum eligibility - Must have verified disability related to pregnancy or childbirth |
- PTO/Sick - UC Disability (either 55% for basic disability or 60% with higher caps for voluntary disability) |
Medical leave: FMLA (but not CFRA) runs concurrently |
| Parental bonding | CFRA and Childcaring Leave (CCL) | - 6 months total (12 weeks CFRA, remaining CCL) for birth parent and non-birth parents (including adoption, guardianship, step-parent) - The CFRA portion of the leave may take non-consecutively (generally in 2-week intervals) within 1 year of the birth or placement of child |
- CFRA: 12 months + 1,250 hours - CCL: no minimum eligibility |
- PFCB payment during CFRA portion only (if eligible) - PTO/unpaid for non-CFRA portions |
- Starts after pregnancy disability ends. - CCL available without CFRA (but without PFCB pay) - CFRA and CCL run concurrently |
| Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) | Not a leave; payment for eligible leaves | 8 workweeks per calendar year | - Career employees only; - Available only during qualifying CFRA leave (baby bonding or caring for a sick family members) and Military Caregiver Leave |
100% of base salary | - Must be used during qualifying leave - Not available during standalone CCL without CFRA |
|
Who is eligible |
Birth Parents who are FML eligible |
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|
Leave |
Up to 6 months of pregnancy disability |
3 months of parental leave + 3 months of childcaring leave |
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Pay |
Up to 6 months of short-term disability pay |
2 months of 100% pay under PFCB |
Earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) |
Leave without pay |
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Who is eligible |
Non-Birth Parents who are FML eligible |
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|
Leave |
3 months of FML parental leave |
3 months of childcaring leave |
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|
Pay |
2 months of 100% pay under PFCB |
Earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) |
Leave without pay |
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Who is eligible |
Parents (birthing and non-birthing) who are not FML eligible |
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Leave |
6 months of childcaring leave |
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Pay |
Earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) |
Leave without pay |
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Who is eligible |
Non-Birth Parents who are not FML eligible |
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Leave |
6 months of childcaring leave |
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|
Pay |
Earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) |
Leave without pay |
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