Are employers allowed to require employees to take unpaid leave?

In California, employers are generally allowed to require employees to take unpaid leave. Generally speaking, an employer can require an employee to take unpaid leave to meet the operational needs of the business. This includes situations when there is a decrease in demand for services or when the employer must cut costs. However, when requiring unpaid leave, an employer must comply with the California Labor Code which states that an employer must pay wages for any week in which the employee works at least half a day. This means that an employee must be allowed to take a full day off if the employer requires them to take unpaid leave. Therefore, in most cases, an employer can ask an employee to take time off, but the employee must have the right to take a full day off if they choose. In addition, an employer cannot require an employee to take unpaid leave as a form of punishment or in retaliation for filing a complaint. This practice is strictly prohibited by the Labor Code and any violation of this code may result in an employer facing penalties or fines. Overall, employers in California can require employees to take unpaid leave, but the employer must comply with various provisions of the California Labor Code which govern when and why unpaid leave can be taken.

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