Total Articles: 10
Oregon - New State Law Further Regulates Hiring
Billed as a means to protect out-of-work Oregonians from discrimination, the Oregon legislature passed a new law that prohibits overt unemployment discrimination in job advertisements. Oregon has become only the second state in the country – joining New Jersey – to prohibit this practice.
Oregon Employers Have Something New To Worry About
Employers with jobs to fill have a lot to worry about. Not only are they trying to fill a void effectively, but also in the right way and without legal missteps. Experienced hiring managers are aware of dozens of questions and practices to avoid during the recruitment and interviewing process. And Oregon employers soon will face a new challenge when hiring: not discriminating against unemployed individuals.
New Oregon Employment Laws Passed in the 2011 Legislative Session
As you prepare to ring in the new year, one of your resolutions should be to update your company’s employment policies. During the 2011 legislative session, Oregon legislators passed several labor and employment related laws. Employers should take note of the following bills – all effective January 1, 2012 – and update their policies and procedures accordingly. Below is a summary of the key changes. The entire text for each bill can be found at http://www.leg.state.or.us/.
Oregon Employers Breathe Sigh of Relief: 2011 Legislative Session Concludes On Positive Note
Employers in Oregon – you have cause to celebrate, or at least breathe a sigh of relief. The Oregon state legislature recently wrapped up its 2011 session without passing any major pieces of legislation that could be considered harmful to employers. Although there are a few new statutes that will soon go into effect that may slightly alter the way you do business, the impact of these new laws are minimal. In fact, a few new laws were passed that are actually beneficial to employers.
Oregon Shortens Notice Period, Imposes New Requirements on Employment-Related Binding Arbitration
Since January 1, 2008, Oregon employers electing to use binding arbitration agreements with new employees have been required to give two weeks’ written notice of the arbitration requirement before hiring a new employee. For current employees, employers have been required to obtain an employee’s signature at the time of a “subsequent bona fide advancement.â€
Oregon Employers Claim Victory In Medical Marijuana Battle.
On April 15, 2010 the Oregon Supreme Court handed employers a comprehensive victory in the long-running medical marijuana battle, deciding that employers need not accommodate an employee's use of medical marijuana. The decision now means that employers can rest comfortably knowing they can consistently enforce their zero tolerance drug policies without regard to medical marijuana registry status. Emerald Steel Fabricators, Inc. v. Bureau of Labor and Industries.
New Oregon Law Prohibits Most Employment Credit Checks.
Most Oregon employers who review job applicants' credit history reports before deciding whether to hire them will no longer be able to do so as of July 1, 2010. Billed as a means to help out-of-work Oregonians find jobs more easily, the Oregon legislature passed a new law on February 22 which will greatly restrict your ability to perform credit checks on applicants and employees. Once signed into law by the Governor (which is expected), Oregon will become the third state in the country – joining Washington and Hawaii – to prohibit this common practice.
Oregon Employers Lose Latest Round of Medical Marijuana Battle.
On June 11th, the Oregon Court of Appeals dealt a blow to employers fighting medical marijuana in the workplace, letting stand an administrative decision which had granted a victory to a medical marijuana user (Emerald Steel Fabricators, Inc. v. Bureau of Labor and Industries). Although the decision was largely based on technical grounds, the Court of Appeals passed up an opportunity to side with employers and the decision may lend comfort to workers’ advocates who support looser workplace drug rules.
New Driver's License Law Will Impact Oregon Employers.
Over the weekend, the state finalized a new law that may end up having a dramatic impact on several important industries. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed into effect a much stricter driver’s license requirement that forces applicants to prove American citizenship or legal immigrant status before getting a new or renewed driver’s license. It goes into effect on July 1, 2008, and could have far-reaching consequences in the agriculture, construction and hospitality industries, among others.
New And Pending Legislation Impacts Oregon and Washington Employers (pdf).
Recent legislation in Oregon and Washington will have a major
impact on all Northwest employers, and there are likely more
changes on the immediate horizon. This Legal Alert will point
out the most significant changes to the law in both states.
