We wish to inform you about a significant update to employee leave entitlements in California: Senate Bill (SB) 848, which addresses unpaid leave following a reproductive loss event. Here's a clear summary of what you need to know about this compassionate measure:
Unpaid Leave for Reproductive Loss (SB 848):
SB 848 grants eligible employees the right to take up to five days of unpaid leave for a "reproductive loss event."
To be eligible, employees must have been employed by a business with five or more employees for at least thirty days before starting their leave.
Definition of Reproductive Loss Event:
The law characterizes a "reproductive loss event" as any of the following occurrences:
A failed adoption process
An unsuccessful surrogacy agreement
A miscarriage
A stillbirth
An unsuccessful round of assisted reproduction
The leave is available on the day of such an event, or for an event extending over multiple days, it is available on the final day of the event.
This legislation represents a considerate approach to supporting employees through challenging personal times. It is important for employers to adjust their HR policies accordingly to accommodate staff facing these sensitive circumstances.
If you have any questions on how to implement this new provision for leave or would like further clarification on the law, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for support.