Are employers obligated to pay for employee medical expenses?

In California, employers are generally not required to pay for employee medical expenses, such as health insurance premiums or medical bills. The rights of employers and employees are regulated by the California State labor laws and, as such, employers are not obligated to contribute towards medical expenses. However, employees have certain rights and protections when it comes to medical expenses, such as the right to receive medical and surgical leave for serious health conditions or for pregnancy under the California Family Rights Act or the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law. Additionally, employers may choose to provide their employees with health insurance as part of their employment benefits, but this is not required by law. Further, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must provide workers with up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons, such as medical treatment for serious illnesses. However, employers are not required to pay for employee medical expenses while on unpaid leave. In summary, although employers do not have to pay for employee medical expenses in California, they are obligated to provide certain rights and protections when it comes to medical leave and health insurance.

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