This guide for healthcare and social service providers explains the leave, pay, and accommodation rights available to pregnant and birthing workers in California during pregnancy and beyond. It also explains how providers can help their patients access these rights and includes links to template medical certifications.
Thank you to our partners at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, the California Employment Development Department, the California Civil Rights Department, the California Department of Health Care Services, the California Work and Family Coalition, the California Preterm Birth Initiative, the California Health Care Foundation, and Health Net for their support, feedback, and collaboration on this resource.
A Guide for Healthcare and Service Providers: For a copy of the Guide click on the Download button below.
Additional Resources for Healthcare and Service Providers:
Sample Certifications for Pregnancy Disability Leave:
- Civil Rights Department template: certification of healthcare provider
- Legal Aid at Work template: sample medical note
Sample Certifications for Pregnancy-Related Accommodations:
- Civil Rights Department template: certification of healthcare provider
- Legal Aid at Work template: sample medical note
Sample Certifications for Lactation Accommodations
- Civil Rights Department template: certification of healthcare provider
- Legal Aid at Work template: sample medical note
For additional patient-facing resources on these rights including Legal Aid at Work’s Pregnancy + My Job Roadmap and Guide, see www.legalaidatwork.org/wf.
Last updated: February 2025