Recently enacted Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 184 soon will require employers to include independent contractors in their child support reporting requirements to the Oregon Division of Child Support of the Department of Justice. Currently, the reporting requirements apply only to an employer’s employees but, for all new engagements or re-engagements
Articles About Oregon Labor And Employment Law.
Governor Kotek Signs Legislation Aligning Paid Leave Oregon and Oregon Family Leave Act
On June 7, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed into law Senate Bill 999, a measure that will more closely align certain provisions of Paid Leave Oregon with the Oregon Family Leave Act.
Leave Law Updates for Oregon Employers
In anticipation of Paid Leave Oregon, a new paid family leave benefit for Oregon employees, the Oregon legislature recently passed a bill that creates new entitlements for Oregon employees and aligns existing law with the forthcoming paid leave benefit. Senate Bill 999 (2023) revises the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)
Oregon OSHA Penalties Skyrocket (SB 592)
With the recent passage of Senate Bill 592, the Oregon Legislature has dramatically augmented the range of civil penalties on employers who violate Oregon Safe Employment laws. Previously, Oregon law imposed only the minimum civil penalties prescribed under the federal OSHA. Effective May 24, 2023, the minimum penalty for a
How Oregon Employers Can Prepare for Wildfire Season
Massive wildfires in Canada recently covered the northeast United States in a plume of smoke. On June 8, 2023, New York City’s Air Quality Index – the Environmental Protection Agency’s index for measuring and reporting air quality – reached a very hazardous level of 460 AQI. New York City’s
Oregon Increases Penalties for Workplace Safety Violations
On May 24, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed into law legislation raising the maximum penalties for workplace fatality–related citations in Oregon far above federal limits. The law took effect immediately.
Oregon Legislature Contemplating Updates to the Oregon Safe Employment Act with Oregon Senate Bill 592 (SB 592)
SB 592, if enacted, would create significant changes to the Oregon Safe Employment Act including:
Allowing for “comprehensive inspection of any place of employment as deemed necessary by the department based upon the prior violation history of the place of employment regarding any state occupational safety or health law,
Oregon Joins the Growing Number of States Loosening COVID-19 Requirements in the Workplace
Effective April 3, 2023, Oregon OSHA suspended its rules addressing the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Amended Work Clothing Rules via Oregon OSHA Administrative Order 1-2023.
The COVID-19 rules have been temporarily suspended as an interim measure until Oregon OSHA implements the permanent rulemaking process to fully repeal the
Unionized Oregon Employers Have Until March 31, 2023, to Collect Employee Contributions to Paid Leave Oregon
Oregon employers with collective bargaining agreements have until March 31, 2023, to begin deducting employee contributions to Paid Leave Oregon, the Paid Leave Oregon Advisory Committee clarified on March 1, 2023.
Oregon Legislature Proposes Significant Penalty Increases for Workplace Safety Violations
The Oregon Legislature, in response to concerns that the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) penalties were not sufficient, introduced legislation (Senate Bill (SB) 592) that would significantly increase the amounts of civil penalties for violations and allow Oregon OSHA to conduct in-depth, wall-to-wall inspections under certain circumstances.
Holiday Gift for Oregon Employers: Security Screenings Are Not Compensable Absent Contract, Custom, or Practice
On December 15, 2022, the Oregon Supreme Court gave employers important clarity regarding the compensability of time spent in post-shift security screenings.
How Employers Can Prepare for Oregon’s Paid Family Leave Program
Oregon’s Paid Family Leave program commences on January 1, 2023. As an initial step, most Oregon employers must alert employees about the program and begin paying into the state insurance plan. The law requires employers post the Oregon Employment Department’s model notice at the worksite and distribute the same notice
Oregon, Colorado Declare Public Health Emergencies Triggering Leave Requirements
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza cases are surging across the United States while COVID-19 continues to spread. Faced with hospital beds filling up and experts warning that this could be one of the most severe respiratory illness seasons in recent years, two states—Oregon and Colorado—have declared public health emergencies
Colorado and Oregon Trigger Protections for Leaves Relating to Non-COVID Respiratory Illnesses
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of jurisdictions enacted sick leave laws specifically designed for absences due to COVID-19. Some states, however, enacted permanent changes to their leave laws that apply during a “public health emergency,” which can apply both to COVID-19 as well as other
November 30 Deadline: Equivalent Plan Applications for Oregon’s Paid Family Medical Leave Program Are Due
To be exempt from collecting and remitting contribution payments beginning on January 1, 2023 to Paid Leave Oregon, Oregon’s new paid family medical leave program, employers must submit by November 30, 2022 either an Equivalent Plan Application that meets the requirements for Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) covering