Unlock Your Leave
A Step-by-Step Course to Maximize California Parental Leave
California offers some of the most generous parental leave benefits in the country—but the system is confusing, fragmented, and often misexplained. As a result, many parents take less paid time off than they’re entitled to or unknowingly put their job protection at risk.
Unlock Your Leave is a practical, on-demand course that teaches you how California Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Paid Family Leave (PFL), CFRA, and employer benefits actually work—together.
This course is designed to help you plan your leave, so you can take more protected time off with confidence and clarity.
-
-
Intro Session
Welcome to 29 Weeks and the Unlock Your Leave Course. We are so glad that you found us and can’t wait to introduce ourselves, give you an overview of the 7 months of time off you could be able to take with your baby, and help you build the parental leave of your dreams!
Let’s get started!
Welcome to 29 Weeks and the Unlock Your Leave Course. We are so glad that you found us and can’t wait to introduce ourselves, give you an overview of the 7 months of time off you could be able to take with your baby, and help you build the parental leave of your dreams!
Let’s get started!
-
-
-
Module 1: How much time can I really be out?
Module 1 lays the foundation for everything that follows. Before you can maximize your leave, you need to understand how California’s parental leave system is structured—and why it is so commonly misunderstood.
Module 1 lays the foundation for everything that follows. Before you can maximize your leave, you need to understand how California’s parental leave system is structured—and why it is so commonly misunderstood.
-
Module 2: How do I get paid?
Module 2 explains the critical difference between job-protected leave and paid benefits. You’ll learn why receiving SDI or PFL pay does not automatically protect your job, and how laws like PDL and CFRA provide separate legal protection. This module clarifies common HR misconceptions and shows you how to identify where your role is protected, where risk exists, and how to plan your leave with confidence.
Module 2 explains the critical difference between job-protected leave and paid benefits. You’ll learn why receiving SDI or PFL pay does not automatically protect your job, and how laws like PDL and CFRA provide separate legal protection. This module clarifies common HR misconceptions and shows you how to identify where your role is protected, where risk exists, and how to plan your leave with confidence.
-
-
-
Module 3: Building your 29 Stack
Module 3 walks you through exactly how to build a complete California parental leave timeline. You’ll learn how PDL, CFRA, SDI, and PFL can run sequentially or concurrently, how timing impacts pay and job protection, and how to avoid unpaid gaps. By the end, you’ll be able to map your leave from pre-birth through return to work with clarity and control.
Module 3 walks you through exactly how to build a complete California parental leave timeline. You’ll learn how PDL, CFRA, SDI, and PFL can run sequentially or concurrently, how timing impacts pay and job protection, and how to avoid unpaid gaps. By the end, you’ll be able to map your leave from pre-birth through return to work with clarity and control.
-
Module 4: Step-by-Step Guides
Module 4 provides step-by-step guidance on how SDI and PFL payments are calculated, when benefits begin, and where unpaid gaps commonly occur. You’ll follow clear instructions to coordinate employer benefits—such as PTO, short-term disability, and salary top-ups—with California programs, so you can accurately forecast income and avoid financial surprises during leave.
Module 4 provides step-by-step guidance on how SDI and PFL payments are calculated, when benefits begin, and where unpaid gaps commonly occur. You’ll follow clear instructions to coordinate employer benefits—such as PTO, short-term disability, and salary top-ups—with California programs, so you can accurately forecast income and avoid financial surprises during leave.
-
-
-
Module 5: Mistakes to Avoid
Module 5 focuses on the most common filing and communication mistakes that delay or reduce protected time off or SDI and PFL benefits. You’ll learn what errors to avoid, including incorrect timing, missing documentation, and miscommunication with HR or medical providers—so you can protect your pay, your leave timeline, and your peace of mind.
Module 5 focuses on the most common filing and communication mistakes that delay or reduce protected time off or SDI and PFL benefits. You’ll learn what errors to avoid, including incorrect timing, missing documentation, and miscommunication with HR or medical providers—so you can protect your pay, your leave timeline, and your peace of mind.
-
Module 6: When the plan doesn't go as planned.
Module 6 focuses on what to do when your leave timeline changes or unexpected issues arise, including leave for pregnancy loss. You’ll learn how job protection, pay, and benefits are affected if plans shift, how to respond when HR gives conflicting guidance, and how to adjust your leave or return-to-work plan without putting your role at risk.
Module 6 focuses on what to do when your leave timeline changes or unexpected issues arise, including leave for pregnancy loss. You’ll learn how job protection, pay, and benefits are affected if plans shift, how to respond when HR gives conflicting guidance, and how to adjust your leave or return-to-work plan without putting your role at risk.
-
Module 7: Non-birthing parents and 1099/self-employed earners
Module 7 covers situations where California parental leave rules are less straightforward. You’ll learn how leave works for non-birthing parents, adoption or surrogacy, and self employment / 1099.
Module 7 covers situations where California parental leave rules are less straightforward. You’ll learn how leave works for non-birthing parents, adoption or surrogacy, and self employment / 1099.
-
What You'll Learn
How the system works in CAWe break down the complex jumble of programs and laws into an easy to understand plan for your leave!
How to build your own 29 StackYou’ll understand what programs and protections are available to you, and apply them to your own situation to create your very own custom 29 Stack using our custom calculators.
How to communicate with HR and your managerYou’ll not only get communication guidance and tips, but also downloadable and customizable templates for communicating at every step of the way.