In California, parental leave benefits differ depending on whether the employee is a birthing parent or a non-birthing parent. Employers […]
Welcome to California Parental Leave Advisors!
We help employers navigate the complexities of parental leave in California, ensuring compliance with state and federal leave laws while supporting employees through this major life transition.
Managing parental leave policies can be challenging—from juggling FMLA, CFRA, PFL, PDL, and SDI to coordinating PTO, sick time, and employer-paid benefits. Our goal is to make this process seamless, helping you offer competitive benefits without overspending while integrating your company’s policies with EDD benefits to reduce costs.
We work with businesses to review and update parental leave policies, ensuring they are legally sound, financially sustainable, and aligned with your company’s goals. With the right approach, you can retain top talent, enhance employee satisfaction, and stay compliant—all while making leave a smooth experience for both your company and your employees.
Let’s build a parental leave strategy that works for your business. We’re here to support you every step of the way.



















Posted on Justine LamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wish I knew about Shelly before I finished my maternity leave. However, she was still able to help me out after my maternity leave ended and when I was already using my PTO to extend my leave. She helped me with figuring out the SDI process with both government and my company and navigate some of the paperwork involved. I was then able to do a softer transition to remote part-time work before going back full-time. You should hire her as soon as you know you're past your 16 or 20 week pregnancy date!Posted on Jamie AldertonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shelly has been so incredibly helpful! she has made this process seamless for us and has been so willing to answer all of our questions and walk us through each and every step to ensure we understand all details. Maternity leave is so confusing and her services make it feel so much less daunting - we are so glad we booked her!Posted on Patrick QuinlanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shelly is such a valuable resource. She was a huge help in terms of my wife navigating her Maternity Leave, and she easily guided me through the process of maximizing benefits for my own Paid Family Leave and Bonding time. She's thorough, detailed-oriented, and very transparent. We will use her again and send all of our friends her way.Posted on Kristina BoccardoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I recently hired Shelly to help us make a plan for our parental leaves in CA, and we are so glad we did! All of the different laws and programs are so confusing to research on our own, and Shelly explained everything thoroughly and made us feel so much more prepared. She spent so much time with us to make sure we understood everything, and always responded quickly. I've been recommending her to all of my pregnant friends. We are so grateful for your help, Shelly!!Posted on Melissa LashombeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shelly made what initially felt like an overwhelming process so much more manageable. She clearly outlined every step I needed to take for my maternity leave and helped me feel confident and prepared. Her webinar was also informative. Worth the investment!Posted on David PinderTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did not know how to approach paternity leave as a first time dad at all. I got recommended to Shelly and thank god for it because she did all the work for me so I got to focus on everything else!Posted on DesankaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a first time twin mom, I had no idea how to navigate this process. Shelly was a superhero and came in to save the day to build out a roadmap for my husband and I. Don't know how I would have done this without her!Posted on Elena FreemantleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shelly has been incredibly helpful in guiding me through the complex process of navigating maternity leave in California. As a first-time parent in the U.S., I found it all quite overwhelming at first, but Shelly provided clear, step-by-step guidance that made things so much easier. She’s always quick to respond to my questions and has taken a lot of the stress out of the process.Posted on Faith MontoyaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shelly was an absolute lifesaver dealing with California maternity leave for my first pregnancy. She was so thorough, patient, kind and willing to answer any and all questions. She is a huge asset and I would recommend using her to any pregnant woman/family who is expecting. She even helped my husband figure out his benefits! 10/10 would recommend. Thank you Shelly!Posted on Leslie TTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Overall a good experience. The only reason I’m giving 3 stars instead of 5 is due to some scheduling hiccups. There were a couple of times where we had to reschedule last minute, which was a bit inconvenient. That said, communication was clear and professional, and everything was handled with care. Just hoping for a bit more consistency next time!
In California, parental leave benefits differ depending on whether the employee is a birthing parent or a non-birthing parent. Employers […]
If you have employees working in San Francisco, the Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO) adds an extra layer of employer […]
As of 2025, California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefit rates have increased from 60% to […]
This depends on whether the employee is receiving paid benefits from CA SDI or PFL. When Employers Cannot Force PTO/Sick […]
A common employer question is what happens to an employee’s health insurance while they’re on leave. Employer Responsibilities Employers must […]
Employees on parental leave have job protection rights, but what exactly does that mean for employers? What Job Protection Includes […]
Many employers assume that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the primary job protection law for parental leave, […]
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