My wife’s employer is insisting that she be available by phone and e-mail during her maternity leave. Is this common practice?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

My wife’s employer is insisting that she be available by phone and e-mail during her maternity leave. Is this common practice?

We live in California. Small company (12 employees). Wife f1st female to go on maternity leave. No human resources department. No maternity policy in place at time my wife notified them of her pregnancy.

Asked on June 16, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 15 years ago | Contributor

If she takes leave under the federal Federal and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), she does not need to work while on it. (Note though: FMLA leave is upaid.)

If she uses vacation or sick days, then again, she does not need to work on them.

If the employer is making some other accomodation for her, such as allowing her draw salary while on leave, they may put conditions on them, such as requiring her to work or at least be in contact.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption