Most everybody knows about maternity leave. But did you know that you’re entitled to leave for reasons related to domestic violence—and even to attend your children’s school events?
Most people don’t. That’s exactly why the California Work Family Coalition is putting on a free workshop: to help individuals and families know their workplace leave rights.
Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal and Steven Neal, and put on with the support of Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach, Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community, and the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, “Understanding California Family Leave Rights” is a two-hour seminar with information and training concerning the Family Medical Rights Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and the entire spectrum of paid and unpaid leaves available, including time off for school events, protective leave laws for victims of domestic violence, and lactation accommodation.
“Since so much of raising a family or caring for a sick or elderly family member falls to women in our society, it’s important for them to know their rights,” says Lowenthal. “These protections are especially relevant to working families on the margin.”
The information presented will also cover what to do if your rights are violated, and how individuals can get involved in state and local campaigns to improve workplace leave rights.
“A lot of people—on both the employer and employee side—don’t know the full extent of workplace leave rights, so they’re often underutilized and misunderstood,” says Christine Petit, who works with the California Work & Family Coalition. “So this is a chance for people to be educated. In some cases employers are supposed to inform employees of their rights, but that doesn’t always happen. And in many cases both employers and employees alike don’t really understand the process.”
As if the knowledge isn’t enough, attendees will also be treated to a light dinner—also free. Learning about workplace rights never tasted so good.
“Understanding California Family Leave Rights” takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church (759 Linden Ave., LB 90813) on Wednesday, August 15. Check-in and dinner is at 5PM, with workshop running from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. Childcare and Spanish or Khmer translation are available upon request. Admission is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. To attend, please RSVP to [email protected] or call 562.900.1078.