Dispute Resolution


Small Employer Family Leave Mediation Program

Among the laws enforced by CRD is the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which protects employees and job applicants from discrimination and harassment based on a protected characteristic. The Fair Employment and Housing Act also guarantees eligible employees a certain amount of job-protected leave when the employee needs to care for their own serious health condition or a family member’s serious health condition, or to bond with a new child. These leave provisions, which apply to California employers with 5 or more employees, are known as the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

Through CRD’s “small employer family leave mediation program,” small employers (of between 5 and 19 employees) and their employees have the right to mediate with CRD – free of charge – a dispute involving CFRA leave before the employee may go to court. For more information about this mediation program, please review the following frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Small Employer Family Leave Mediation Program FAQ:


Communication Center: 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or
California's Relay Service at 711 | contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov