By Leon
Bonding is "the establishment of a relationship or link with someone based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences."
An eligible employee can take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to bond with a newborn or a child placed with the employee for adoption or foster care.
To be eligible, an employee must have worked for the County a minimum of 12 months over the past 7 years and have at least 1250 hours of service within the 12 months preceding their leave request.
Bonding leave does not have to be taken all at once, though it can be. It can also be broken up into 2 week segments and, with your department's approval, it can be taken on a scheduled but not continuous basis. An example would be taking every Wednesday from 8am to 10am over a predetermined date range.
Bonding Leave must be taken within one year of the Childs birth or placement in the home. If both parents are employees of the County, they must share the 12 weeks.
Although Bonding Leave is an unpaid job protection, partial wage replacement benefits may be available through the State of California. More information on this is available on the EDD web site or by following this link: https://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/PFL_Claim_Process.htm