ORS § 656.327 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.327
656.327 Review of medical treatment of worker
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If an injured worker, an insurer or self-insured employer or the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services believes that the medical treatment, not subject to ORS 656.260 (Certification procedure for managed health care provider) , that the injured worker has received, is receiving, will receive or is proposed to receive is excessive, inappropriate, ineffectual or in violation of rules regarding the performance of medical services, the injured worker, insurer or self-insured employer must request administrative review of the treatment by the director prior to requesting a hearing on the issue and so notify the parties.

(b) Unless the director issues an order finding that no bona fide medical services dispute exists, the director shall review the matter as provided in this section. Appeal of an order finding that no bona fide medical services dispute exists shall be made directly to the Workers’ Compensation Board within 30 days after issuance of the order. The board shall set aside or remand the order only if the board finds that the order is not supported by substantial evidence in the record. Substantial evidence exists to support a finding in the order when the record, reviewed as a whole, would permit a reasonable person to make that finding. The decision of the board is not subject to review by any other court or administrative agency.

(c) The insurer or self-insured employer shall not deny the claim for medical services nor shall the worker request a hearing on any issue under this section until the director issues an order under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The director shall review medical information and records regarding the treatment. The director may cause an appropriate medical service provider to perform reasonable and appropriate tests, other than invasive tests, upon the worker and may examine the worker. Notwithstanding ORS 656.325 (Required medical examination) (1), the worker may refuse a test without sanction. Review of the medical treatment shall be completed and the director shall issue an order within 60 days of the request for review. The director shall create a documentary record sufficient for purposes of judicial review. If the worker, insurer, self-insured employer or medical service provider is dissatisfied with that order, the dissatisfied party may request review under ORS 656.704 (Actions and orders regarding matters concerning claim and matters other than matters concerning claim) . The administrative order may be modified at hearing only if it is not supported by substantial evidence in the record or if it reflects an error of law. No new medical evidence or issues shall be admitted. The worker is not obligated to pay for medical treatment determined not to be compensable under this subsection.

(3) Upon request of either party, the director may delegate to a physician or a panel of physicians the review of medical treatment under this section. At least one member of any such panel shall be a practitioner of the healing art of the medical service provider whose treatment is being reviewed. No member of any such panel shall be a physician whose treatment is the subject of review. The panel shall be chosen in such manner as the director may prescribe, in consultation with the committee referred to in ORS 656.790 (Workers’ Compensation Management-Labor Advisory Committee) . The physician or panel shall submit findings to the director within the time limits as prescribed by the director.

(4) The physician or the panel of physicians and the medical arbiter or panel of medical arbiters appointed pursuant to ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) acting pursuant to the authority of the director are agents of the Department of Consumer and Business Services and are subject to the provisions of ORS 30.260 (Definitions for ORS 30.260 to 30.300) to 30.300 (ORS 30.260 to 30.300 exclusive) . The findings of the physician or panel of physicians, the medical arbiter or panel of medical arbiters, all of the records and all communications to or before a panel or arbiter are privileged and are not discoverable or admissible in any proceeding other than those proceedings under this chapter. No member of a panel or a medical arbiter shall be examined or subject to administrative or civil liability regarding participation in or the findings of the panel or medical arbiter or any matter before the panel or medical arbiter other than in proceedings under this chapter.

(5) The costs of review of medical treatment by the physician or panel of physicians pursuant to this section and costs incurred by the worker in attending any examination required under this section, including child care, transportation, lodging and meals, shall be paid by the insurer or self-insured employer. [1987 c.884 §29; 1990 c.2 §26; 1995 c.332 §41; 2005 c.26 §12]

Source: Section 656.327 — Review of medical treatment of worker; findings; review; costs , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.191 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.191
654.191 Occupational Safety and Health Grant program
Status: in_force

(1) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, in consultation with the Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, shall establish an Occupational Safety and Health Grant program to fund the education and training of employees in safe employment practices and conduct and to promote the development of employer-sponsored health and safety programs.

(2) The director shall adopt rules establishing:

(a) Grant application procedures and criteria for grant approval; and

(b) Procedures for revocation of grants to recipients failing to comply with grant criteria established by the director pursuant to this section.

(3) The director, after reviewing the recommendation of the Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, shall approve or deny an application for an Occupational Safety and Health Grant. If the director approves a grant under this section, the director shall set the amount of the grant awarded to the grant recipient.

(4) The director shall monitor grant recipients for compliance with grant criteria and procedures established by the director.

(5) The grants awarded under this section shall be funded only from the civil penalties paid into the Consumer and Business Services Fund under ORS 654.086 (Civil penalty for violations) . [1989 c.857 §2]

Source: Section 654.191 — Occupational Safety and Health Grant program; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.591 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.591
656.591 Election not to bring action operates as assignment of cause of action
Status: in_force

(1) An election made pursuant to ORS 656.578 (Workers’ election whether to sue third person or noncomplying employer for damages) not to proceed against an employer or third person operates as an assignment to the paying agency of the cause of action, if any, of a worker or the beneficiaries or legal representative of a deceased worker against the employer or third person, and the paying agency may bring action against the employer or third person in the name of the worker or other beneficiaries.

(2) Any sum the paying agency recovers in excess of the expenses the paying agency incurred in making the recovery and the amount the paying agency expended for compensation, first aid or other medical, surgical or hospital service, together with the present value of the monthly payments of compensation to which the worker or other beneficiaries may be entitled under this chapter, must be paid to the worker or other beneficiaries.

(3) A paying agency shall repay the Department of Consumer and Business Services for any expenditures from the Consumer and Business Services Fund, the Self-Insured Employer Adjustment Reserve, the Self-Insured Employer Group Adjustment Reserve or the Workers’ Benefit Fund that the department makes, together with the present value of any reasonably expected future expenditures from the funds or reserves that the department may make, to reimburse the paying agency for the paying agency’s costs and to compensate or pay other costs of a worker’s claim because of a self-insured employer’s or self-insured employer group’s insolvency, default or decertification. [Formerly 656.320; 2017 c.69 §2]

Source: Section 656.591 — Election not to bring action operates as assignment of cause of action; repayments to department by paying agency , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 663.127 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 663 / Section 663.127
663.127 Union security agreements
Status: in_force

An employer or labor organization anywhere in this state may execute and apply an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment to the full extent allowed by federal law. [2017 c.369 §3]

Note: 663.127 (Union security agreements) was added to and made a part of ORS chapters 661 to 663 by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 663 or any series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 663.127 — Union security agreements , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors663.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.162 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.162
659A.162 Length of leave
Status: in_force

(1) Except as specifically provided by ORS 657B.020 (Qualifying purposes for benefits) and 659A.150 (Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186) to 659A.186 (Exclusivity of provisions) , an eligible employee is entitled to up to a total of 12 weeks of family leave within any one-year period.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, an eligible employee is entitled to a total of two weeks of family leave for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(e).

(b) An eligible employee is entitled to the period of leave described in paragraph (a) of this subsection upon the death of each family member of the employee within any one-year period, except that leave taken as provided by this subsection may not exceed the total period of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section.

(c) A covered employer may not require an eligible employee to take multiple periods of leave described in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(e) concurrently if more than one family member of the employee dies during the one-year period.

(d) All leave taken for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(e) shall be counted toward the total period of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) In addition to the 12 weeks of family leave authorized by subsection (1) of this section, an eligible employee may take a total of 12 weeks of leave within any one-year period for an illness, injury or condition related to the eligible employee’s own pregnancy or childbirth that disables the eligible employee from performing any available job duties offered by the covered employer.

(b) An eligible employee who takes 12 weeks of family leave within a one-year period for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(a) may take up to an additional 12 weeks of leave within the one-year period for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(d).

(4) When two or more family members work for the same covered employer, the eligible employees may not take concurrent family leave unless:

(a) One employee needs to care for another employee who is a family member and who is suffering from a serious health condition;

(b) One employee needs to care for a child who has a serious health condition while another employee who is a family member is also suffering from a serious health condition; or

(c) The employees are taking leave described in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(e).

(5) An eligible employee may take family leave for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(a) in two or more nonconsecutive periods of leave only with the approval of the employer.

(6) Leave need not be provided to an eligible employee by a covered employer for the purpose specified in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(d) if another family member is available to care for the child.

(7) A covered employer may not reduce the amount of family leave available to an eligible employee under this section by any period the employee is unable to work because of a disabling compensable injury.

(8) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules governing when family leave for a serious health condition of an eligible employee or a family member of the eligible employee may be taken intermittently or by working a reduced workweek. Rules adopted by the commissioner under this paragraph shall allow taking of family leave on an intermittent basis or by use of a reduced workweek to the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent that taking family leave on an intermittent basis or by use of a reduced workweek does not result in the loss of an eligible employee’s exempt status under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules governing when family leave for the purposes described in ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(e) may be taken to the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent that taking family leave on an intermittent basis does not result in the loss of an eligible employee’s exempt status under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. [Formerly 659.478; 2007 c.633 §2; 2013 c.384 §3; 2019 c.700 §56; 2021 c.182 §§4,5]

Source: Section 659A.162 — Length of leave; conditions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.295 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.295
657.295 Witness fees
Status: in_force

(1) Witnesses other than parties subpoenaed in proceedings involving ORS 657.265 (Notice of claim filing to employing unit or agent of employing unit) , 657.266 (Initial determination of eligibility and amount of benefits) to 657.269 (Decision final unless hearing requested) , 657.270 (Hearing upon decision) to 657.280 (General procedure and records concerning disputed claims) or 657.290 (Continuous jurisdiction of director) shall be allowed fees at a rate fixed by the Director of the Employment Department. Fees and all expenses of proceedings before the director or the Employment Appeals Board involving disputed claims, excepting charge for services rendered by counsel or other agent representing the claimant, employer or other interested person, are deemed a part of the expense of administering this chapter, and an individual claiming benefits may not be charged fees of any kind in any proceedings under this chapter by the director or representatives of the director.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, a person in any proceeding before the director or Employment Appeals Board may be represented by counsel or other agent authorized by such person. No counsel or agent representing an individual who is claiming benefits shall charge or receive for the services more than an amount approved by the director. As used in this subsection, “person” has the meaning defined in ORS 174.100 (Definitions) and also includes this state and all political subdivisions of this state. [Amended by 1959 c.583 §21; 1969 c.161 §1; 1983 c.147 §1; 1993 c.778 §14; 2011 c.22 §4]

Source: Section 657.295 — Witness fees; disputed claim expenses; counsel; fees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 662.205 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 662 / Section 662.205
662.205 Definitions for ORS 662.205 to 662.225
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 662.205 (Definitions for ORS 662.205 to 662.225) to 662.225 (Prohibited conduct by professional strikebreaker) :

(1) “Employee” means any individual who performs services for wages or salary.

(2) “Employer” means any person, partnership, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or any agent thereof, that employs an individual to perform services for a wage or salary.

(3) “For the duration of a strike or lockout” includes that period of time beginning one month before initiation of a strike or lockout and ending one month after termination of the strike or lockout.

(4) “Lockout” means any refusal by an employer to permit employees to work as a result of a dispute with such employees affecting wages, hours or other terms or conditions of their employment.

(5) “Professional strikebreaker” means a person who currently offers to replace an employee involved in a strike or lockout, for the duration of that strike or lockout; and who, within the preceding five-year period, has on two or more previous occasions offered to replace an employee involved in a strike or lockout, for the duration of that strike or lockout. However, professional strikebreaker does not include any person who is the owner of a partnership, firm, corporation, association or other entity or the family of the owner or any person designated as supervisory personnel. As used in this section, owner includes a producer of agricultural commodities or a member of a cooperative association.

(6) “Strike” means any concerted act of employees in a lawful refusal under applicable state or federal law to perform work or services for an employer. [1975 c.645 §1; 1987 c.158 §131]

Source: Section 662.205 — Definitions for ORS 662.205 to 662.225 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors662.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.362 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.362
656.362 Liability for disclosure of worker medical and vocational claim records
Status: in_force

(1) A cause of action in the nature of defamation, invasion of privacy or negligence may not arise against:

(a) Any insurer or assigned claims agent for disclosing worker medical and vocational claim records in accordance with ORS 656.360 (Confidentiality of worker medical and vocational claim records) ; or

(b) Any person for furnishing worker medical and vocational claim records to an insurer or assigned claims agent in accordance with ORS 656.360 (Confidentiality of worker medical and vocational claim records) .

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the disclosure or furnishing of false information with malice or willful intent to injure any person. [2001 c.377 §62]

Source: Section 656.362 — Liability for disclosure of worker medical and vocational claim records , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 662.110 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 662 / Section 662.110
662.110 Findings of fact prerequisite to injunction
Status: in_force

(1) No restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction shall be granted in a case involving or growing out of a labor dispute, except on the basis of findings of fact made and filed by the court in the record of the case prior to the issuance of such restraining order or injunction.

(2) Every restraining order or injunction granted in a case involving or growing out of a labor dispute shall include only a prohibition of such specific acts as may expressly be complained of in the bill of complaint or petition filed in such case and as shall expressly be included in the findings of fact made and filed by the court.

Source: Section 662.110 — Findings of fact prerequisite to injunction; scope of injunction , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors662.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.580 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.580
656.580 Payment of compensation notwithstanding cause of action for damages
Status: in_force

(1) The worker or beneficiaries of the worker, as the case may be, shall be paid the benefits provided by this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as if no right of action existed against the employer or third party, until damages are recovered from such employer or third party.

(2) The paying agency has a lien against the cause of action as provided by ORS 656.591 (Election not to bring action operates as assignment of cause of action) or 656.593 (Procedure when worker or beneficiary elects to bring action) , which lien shall be preferred to all claims except the cost of recovering such damages. [Formerly 656.314]

Source: Section 656.580 — Payment of compensation notwithstanding cause of action for damages; lien on cause of action for compensation paid , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.328 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.328
657.328 Eligibility period adopted by rule
Status: in_force

For purposes of ORS 657.321 (Definitions for ORS 657.321 to 657.329) to 657.329 (Applicability of ORS 657.321 to 657.329) , the Employment Department may adopt rules providing for an eligibility period that begins in an extended benefit period after an individual’s benefit year has ended if federal law provides for funding that is greater than 50 percent of extended benefits. [2010 c.6 §6]

Note: 657.328 (Eligibility period adopted by rule) was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 657 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 657.328 — Eligibility period adopted by rule , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.145 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.145
659A.145 Discrimination against individual with disability in real property transactions prohibited
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Dwelling” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.421 (Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited) .

(b) “Purchaser” has the meaning given that term in ORS 659A.421 (Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited) .

(2) A person may not discriminate because of a disability of a purchaser, a disability of an individual residing in or intending to reside in a dwelling after it is sold, rented or made available or a disability of any individual associated with a purchaser by doing any of the following:

(a) Refusing to sell, lease, rent or otherwise make available any real property to a purchaser.

(b) Expelling a purchaser.

(c) Making any distinction or restriction against a purchaser in the price, terms, conditions or privileges relating to the sale, rental, lease or occupancy of real property or the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection with the real property.

(d) Attempting to discourage the sale, rental or lease of any real property.

(e) Representing that a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when the dwelling is in fact available for inspection, sale, rental or lease.

(f) Refusing to permit, at the expense of the individual with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the individual if the modifications may be necessary to afford the individual full enjoyment of the premises. However, in the case of a rental, the landlord may, when it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a reasonable modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

(g) Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when the accommodations may be necessary to afford the individual with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

(h) Failing to design and construct a covered multifamily dwelling as required by the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.).

(3) A person may not publish, circulate, issue or display or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed any communication, notice, advertisement, or sign of any kind relating to the sale, rental or leasing of real property that indicates any preference, limitation, specification or discrimination against an individual on the basis of disability.

(4) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate related transactions, as defined in ORS 659A.421 (Discrimination in selling, renting or leasing real property prohibited) (3), may not discriminate against any individual in making a transaction available, or in the terms or conditions of the transaction, because of a disability.

(5) A real estate broker or principal real estate broker may not accept or retain a listing of real property for sale, lease or rental with an understanding that the purchaser, lessee or renter may be discriminated against solely because an individual has a disability.

(6) A person may not deny access to, or membership or participation in, any multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or discriminate against any individual in the terms or conditions of the access, membership or participation, because that individual has a disability.

(7) A person may not assist, induce, incite or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this section.

(8) A person may not coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of having aided or encouraged any other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section.

(9) A person may not, for profit, induce or attempt to induce any other person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of an individual who has a disability.

(10) In the sale, lease or rental of real property, a person may not disclose to any person that an occupant or owner of the real property has or died from a blood-borne infection.

(11) Any violation of this section is an unlawful practice. [Formerly 659.430; 2007 c.70 §298; 2007 c.903 §3a; 2008 c.36 §5; 2009 c.109 §1; 2009 c.508 §16; 2019 c.280 §12]

Source: Section 659A.145 — Discrimination against individual with disability in real property transactions prohibited; advertising discriminatory preference prohibited; allowance for reasonable modification; assisting discriminatory practices prohibited , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.147 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.147
659A.147 Prohibited conduct
Status: in_force

(1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation, of a job applicant or an employee, to:

(a) Deny employment opportunities to an applicant or employee if the denial is based on the need of the employer to make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations.

(b) Fail or refuse to make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of the employer.

(c) Take an adverse employment action or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an applicant or an employee, with respect to hire or tenure, or any other term or condition of employment, because the applicant or employee has inquired about, requested or used a reasonable accommodation under this section.

(d) Require an applicant or an employee to accept a reasonable accommodation that is unnecessary for the applicant or the employee to perform the essential duties of the job or to accept a reasonable accommodation if the applicant or employee does not have a known limitation.

(e) Require an employee to take family leave under ORS 659A.150 (Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186) to 659A.186 (Exclusivity of provisions) , or any other leave, if the employer can make reasonable accommodation to the known limitations.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) An employer shall post signs that provide notice informing employees of the employment protections under this section, including the right to be free from discrimination because of pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, and the right to reasonable accommodation under this section.

(b) The employer shall post the signs in a conspicuous and accessible location in or about the premises where employees work.

(c) In addition to posting the signs, the employer shall provide a written copy of the notice to:

(A) A new employee, at the time of hire;

(B) Existing employees, within 180 days after January 1, 2020; and

(C) An employee who informs the employer of the employee’s pregnancy, within 10 days after the employer receives the information.

(3) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall develop training and education materials that the Bureau of Labor and Industries may use to train and educate employers and employees regarding the obligations, rights and protections provided in ORS 659A.030 (Discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or expunged juvenile record prohibited) and under this section.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) For purposes of this section, a reasonable accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of the business of an employer if the reasonable accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense.

(b) Whether a reasonable accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense shall be determined by considering the factors provided in ORS 659A.121 (Undue hardship) (2).

(5) An employee who alleges a violation of this section may bring a civil action under ORS 659A.885 (Civil action) or may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries in the manner provided by ORS 659A.820 (Complaints) .

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt, limit, diminish or otherwise affect any provision of state or federal law relating to discrimination because of sex.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies or rights under federal or state law that provide greater or equal protection for employees who are affected by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition. [2019 c.139 §3]

Source: Section 659A.147 — Prohibited conduct; posting requirements; Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries to develop training and education materials; undue hardship exception; remedies , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.176 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.176
657.176 Grounds and procedure for disqualification
Status: in_force

(1) An authorized representative designated by the Director of the Employment Department shall promptly examine each claim to determine whether an individual is subject to disqualification as a result of a separation, termination, leaving, resignation, or disciplinary suspension from work or as a result of failure to apply for or accept work and shall promptly enter a director’s decision if required by ORS 657.267 (Allowing or denying claim) . The authorized representative may address issues raised by information before the authorized representative, including but not limited to the nature of the separation, notwithstanding the way the parties characterize those issues.

(2) An individual shall be disqualified from the receipt of benefits until the individual has performed service in employment subject to this chapter or the equivalent law of another state or Canada or as defined in ORS 657.030 (Employment generally) (2) or as an employee of the federal government, for which remuneration is received that equals or exceeds four times the individual’s weekly benefit amount subsequent to the week in which the act causing the disqualification occurred, if the authorized representative designated by the director finds that the individual:

(a) Has been discharged for misconduct connected with work;

(b) Has been suspended from work for misconduct connected with work;

(c) Voluntarily left work without good cause;

(d) Failed without good cause to apply for available suitable work when referred by the employment office or the director;

(e) Failed without good cause to accept suitable work when offered;

(f) Has been discharged or suspended for being absent or tardy in reporting to work and the absence or tardiness occurred as a result of the unlawful use of any drug unless the person was participating in a recognized drug rehabilitation program at the time of the absence or tardiness, or is so participating within 10 days after the date of the discharge or suspension, and the person provides to the Employment Department documentation of program participation. As used in this paragraph, “unlawful use” does not include the use of a drug taken under the supervision of a licensed health care professional and in accordance with the prescribed directions for consumption, or other uses authorized by the laws of this state;

(g) Has been discharged or suspended for being absent or tardy in reporting to work and the absence or tardiness occurred as the result of the use of alcohol or cannabis on a second or any subsequent occasion within a period of 12 months unless the person was participating in a recognized alcohol or cannabis rehabilitation program at the time of the absence or tardiness, or is so participating within 10 days after the date of the discharge or suspension, and the person provides to the department documentation of program participation; or

(h) Has committed a disqualifying act described in subsection (9) or (10) of this section.

(3) If the authorized representative designated by the director finds that an individual was discharged for misconduct because of the individual’s commission of a felony or theft in connection with the individual’s work, all benefit rights based on wages earned prior to the date of the discharge shall be canceled if the individual’s employer notifies the director of the discharge within 10 days following issuance of the notice provided for in ORS 657.265 (Notice of claim filing to employing unit or agent of employing unit) or 30 days following issuance of the notice provided for in ORS 657.266 (Initial determination of eligibility and amount of benefits) , and:

(a) The individual has admitted commission of the felony or theft to an authorized representative of the director;

(b) The individual has signed a written admission of the felony or theft and the written admission has been presented to an authorized representative of the director; or

(c) The felony or theft has resulted in a conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) An individual disqualified under subsection (2) of this section shall have the individual’s maximum benefit amount reduced by eight times the individual’s weekly benefit amount. However, in no event shall the individual’s maximum benefit amount be reduced to less than the individual’s weekly benefit amount unless the individual has previously received benefits during the individual’s benefit year.

(5) An individual may not be disqualified from receiving benefits under subsection (2)(c) or (e) of this section or under ORS 657.200 (Labor dispute disqualification) if the individual ceases work or fails to accept work when a collective bargaining agreement between the individual’s bargaining unit and the individual’s employer is in effect and the employer unilaterally modifies the amount of wages payable under the agreement, in breach of the agreement.

(6) For purposes of applying subsection (2) of this section, when an individual has notified an employer that the individual will leave work on a specific date and it is determined that:

(a) The separation would be for reasons that constitute good cause;

(b) The individual voluntarily left work without good cause prior to the date of the impending good cause voluntary leaving date; and

(c) The actual voluntary leaving of work occurred no more than 15 days prior to the planned date of voluntary leaving,

then the separation from work shall be adjudicated as if the actual voluntary leaving had not occurred and the planned voluntary leaving had occurred. However, the individual shall be ineligible for benefits for the period including the week in which the actual voluntary leaving occurred through the week prior to the week of the planned good cause voluntary leaving date.

(7) For purposes of applying subsection (2) of this section, when an employer has notified an individual that the individual will be discharged on a specific date and it is determined that:

(a) The discharge would not be for reasons that constitute misconduct connected with the work;

(b) The individual voluntarily left work without good cause prior to the date of the impending discharge; and

(c) The voluntary leaving of work occurred no more than 15 days prior to the date of the impending discharge,

then the separation from work shall be adjudicated as if the voluntary leaving had not occurred and the discharge had occurred. However, the individual shall be ineligible for benefits for the period including the week in which the voluntary leaving occurred through the week prior to the week in which the individual would have been discharged.

(8) For purposes of applying subsection (2) of this section, when an individual has notified an employer that the individual will leave work on a specific date and it is determined that:

(a) The voluntary leaving would be for reasons that do not constitute good cause;

(b) The employer discharged the individual, but not for misconduct connected with work, prior to the date of the planned voluntary leaving; and

(c) The actual discharge occurred no more than 15 days prior to the planned voluntary leaving,

then the separation from work shall be adjudicated as if the discharge had not occurred and the planned voluntary leaving had occurred. However, the individual shall be eligible for benefits for the period including the week in which the actual discharge occurred through the week prior to the week of the planned voluntary leaving date.

(9) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, an individual is considered to have committed a disqualifying act when the individual:

(A) Fails to comply with the terms and conditions of a reasonable written policy established by the employer or through collective bargaining, which may include blanket, random, periodic and probable cause testing, that governs the use, sale, possession or effects of drugs, cannabis or alcohol in the workplace;

(B) Fails or refuses to take a drug, cannabis or alcohol test as required by the employer’s reasonable written policy;

(C) Refuses to cooperate with or subverts or attempts to subvert a drug, cannabis or alcohol testing process in any employment-related test required by the employer’s reasonable written policy, including but not limited to:

(i) Refusal or failure to complete proper documentation that authorizes the test;

(ii) Refusal or failure to sign a chain of custody form;

(iii) Presentation of false identification;

(iv) Placement of an adulterant in the individual’s specimen for testing, when the adulterant is identified by a testing facility; or

(v) Interference with the accuracy of the test results by conduct that includes dilution or adulteration of a test specimen;

(D) Is under the influence of intoxicants while performing services for the employer;

(E) Possesses cannabis or a drug unlawfully or in violation of the employer’s reasonable written policy during work;

(F) Tests positive for alcohol, cannabis or an unlawful drug in connection with employment; or

(G) Refuses to enter into or violates the terms of a last chance agreement with the employer.

(b) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, an individual is not considered to have committed a disqualifying act under this subsection if the individual, on the date of separation or within 10 days after the date of separation, is participating in a recognized drug, cannabis or alcohol rehabilitation program and provides documentation of participation in the program to the department.

(B) This paragraph does not apply to an individual who has refused to enter into or has violated the terms of a last chance agreement with the employer.

(c) It is no defense or excuse under this section that the individual’s separation resulted from alcohol use, cannabis use, unlawful drug use, alcoholism or addiction to cannabis or drugs.

(d) The department shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(10) For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, an individual is considered to have committed a disqualifying act when the individual voluntarily leaves work, fails to apply for available suitable work when referred by the employment office or the director or fails to accept suitable work when offered:

(a) Because the employer has or introduces a reasonable written cannabis-free or drug-free workplace policy that is consistent with subsection (9)(a)(A) of this section;

(b) Because the employer requires the employee to consent to present or future drug, cannabis or alcohol tests under a reasonable written policy that is consistent with subsection (9)(a)(A) of this section;

(c) To avoid taking a drug, cannabis or alcohol test under a reasonable written policy that is consistent with subsection (9)(a)(A) of this section; or

(d) To avoid meeting the requirements of a last chance agreement.

(11) An individual may not be disqualified from receiving benefits under subsection (2)(c) of this section and shall be deemed laid off if the individual:

(a) Works under a collective bargaining agreement;

(b) Elects to be laid off when the employer has decided to lay off employees; and

(c) Is placed on the referral list under the collective bargaining agreement.

(12) An individual may not be disqualified from receiving benefits under subsection (2)(c), (d) or (e) of this section or be considered unavailable for purposes of ORS 657.155 (Benefit eligibility conditions) if:

(a) The individual or a member of the individual’s immediate family is a victim of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or a bias crime, or the individual believes that the individual or a member of the individual’s immediate family could become a victim of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or a bias crime; and

(b) The individual leaves work, fails to apply for available suitable work or fails to accept suitable work when offered in order to protect the individual or a member of the individual’s immediate family from domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or a bias crime that the individual reasonably believes will occur as a result of the individual’s continued employment or acceptance of work.

(13) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Adulterant” means a substance that does not occur naturally in urine, or that occurs naturally in urine but not at the concentrations detected. “Adulterant” includes but is not limited to glutaraldehyde, nitrite concentrations above physiological levels, hypochlorite or soap.

(b) “Bias crime” means:

(A) Conduct that, in the determination of the director, more likely than not constitutes a bias crime in the first degree described in ORS 166.165 (Bias crime in the first degree) or a bias crime in the second degree described in ORS 166.155 (Bias crime in the second degree) ; or

(B) Similar conduct, as defined by the director by rule.

(c) “Drug” means a controlled substance as defined in ORS 475.005 (Definitions for ORS 475.005 to 475.285 and 475.752 to 475.980) .

(d) “Last chance agreement” means a reasonable agreement:

(A) Between an employer and an employee who has violated the employer’s reasonable written policy, has engaged in drug, cannabis or alcohol use connected with work or has admitted to alcohol abuse, cannabis abuse or unlawful drug use; and

(B) That permits the employee to return to work under conditions that may require the employee to:

(i) Abstain from alcohol use, cannabis use and unlawful drug use; and

(ii) Attend and comply with the requirements of a rehabilitation or education program acceptable to the employer.

(e) “Under the influence of intoxicants” means the level of alcohol, cannabis or unlawful drugs present in an individual’s body exceeds the amount prescribed in a collective bargaining agreement or the amount prescribed in the employer’s reasonable written policy if there is no applicable collective bargaining agreement provision. [1955 c.655 §9 (enacted in lieu of 657.175, 657.180 and 657.185); 1957 c.699 §2; 1959 c.643 §2; 1973 c.398 §2; 1977 c.295 §4; 1979 c.267 §2; 1981 c.5 §2; 1981 c.751 §2; 1982 s.s.1 c.2 §6; 1983 c.190 §1; 1983 c.409 §1; 1983 c.508 §6; 1993 c.778 §12; 1995 c.105 §6; 1995 c.178 §1; 1997 c.249 §201; 1997 c.740 §1; 1999 c.256 §1; 1999 c.1067 §1; 2001 c.144 §1; 2003 c.792 §2; 2005 c.278 §1; 2007 c.324 §1; 2009 c.115 §3; 2017 c.21 §65; 2019 c.168 §1; 2021 c.388 §11]

Source: Section 657.176 — Grounds and procedure for disqualification; exceptions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.635 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.635
656.635 Reserve accounts in Industrial Accident Fund
Status: in_force

(1) The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation may set aside, out of interest and other income received through investment of the Industrial Accident Fund, such part of the income as the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation considers necessary, which moneys so segregated shall remain in the fund and constitute one or more reserve accounts. Such reserve accounts shall be maintained and used by the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation to offset gains and losses of invested capital.

(2) The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation may provide for amortizing gains and losses of invested capital in such instances as the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation determines that amortization is preferable to a reserve account provided for in subsection (1) of this section. [1967 c.335 §57]

Source: Section 656.635 — Reserve accounts in Industrial Accident Fund , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.204 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.204
656.204 Death
Status: in_force

If death results from an accidental injury, payments must be made as follows:

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The cost of final disposition of the body and funeral expenses, including but not limited to transportation of the body, must be paid, not to exceed 20 times the average weekly wage in any case.

(b) The insurer or self-insured employer shall pay bills submitted for disposition and funeral expenses up to the benefit limit established in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any part of the benefit remains unpaid 60 days after the date of death or the date of claim acceptance, whichever is later, the insurer or self-insured employer shall pay the unpaid amount to the estate of the worker.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If a worker is survived by a spouse, monthly benefits must be paid in an amount equal to 4.35 times 66-2/3 percent of the average weekly wage to the surviving spouse until remarriage. Only one person may qualify as a spouse for the purposes of this paragraph. The payment shall cease at the end of the month in which the remarriage occurs.

(b) Upon remarriage, a surviving spouse must be paid 36 times the monthly benefit in a lump sum as final payment of the surviving spousal benefit.

(c) If, after the date of the subject worker’s death, the surviving spouse cohabits with another person, such that the relationship would be subject to the provisions of ORS 107.105 (Provisions of judgment) to 107.136 (Reinstatement of terminated spousal support) and 107.700 (Short title) to 107.735 (Duties of State Court Administrator) , the surviving spouse must be paid 36 times the monthly benefit in a lump sum as final payment of the surviving spousal benefit.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If a worker leaves a child under 19 years of age, a monthly benefit equal to 4.35 times 25 percent of the average weekly wage must be paid to each such child until the child becomes 19 years of age.

(b) The total benefits provided for in this subsection may not exceed 4.35 times 133-1/3 percent of the average weekly wage. If the sum of the individual benefits exceeds this maximum, the benefit for each child must be reduced proportionally.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If a worker leaves a dependent, a monthly payment must be made to each dependent that is equal to 50 percent of the average monthly support the dependent actually received from the worker during the 12 months preceding the occurrence of the accidental injury. If a dependent is under the age of 19 years at the time of the accidental injury, the payment to the dependent must cease when the dependent becomes 19 years of age. The payment to any dependent must cease under the same circumstances that would have terminated the dependency had the injury not happened.

(b) The total benefits provided for in this subsection may not exceed 4.35 times 10 percent of the average weekly wage. If the sum of the individual benefits exceeds this maximum, the benefit for each dependent must be reduced proportionally.

(5) If a child is incapacitated at the time the child otherwise becomes ineligible for benefits under this section, the payment to the child must continue while the child remains an incapacitated child. If an individual is entitled to payment because the individual is an incapacitated child, payment must terminate when the individual ceases to be an incapacitated child.

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If a child or dependent is between 19 and 26 years of age at the time of a worker’s death, or becomes 19 years of age after the worker’s death, monthly benefits must be paid for not more than 48 months until the age of 26 during a period in which the child or dependent is completing secondary education, is obtaining a general educational development certificate or is attending a program of higher education. The child or dependent must provide an insurer or self-insured employer with documentation that enables the insurer or self-insured employer to determine the child’s or dependent’s eligibility for monthly benefits.

(b) If a child or dependent who is eligible for benefits under this subsection does not have a surviving parent, the child or dependent must receive 4.35 times 66-2/3 percent of the average weekly wage.

(c) As used in this subsection, “attending a program of higher education” means regularly attending community college, college or university, or regularly attending a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare the participant for gainful employment. A child or dependent enrolled in an educational course load of less than one-half of that determined by the educational facility to constitute “full-time” enrollment is not “attending a program of higher education.”

(7) As used in this section, “average weekly wage” has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 656.211 (“Average weekly wage” defined) . [Amended by 1957 c.453 §1; 1965 c.285 §22; 1967 c.286 §1; 1969 c.521 §1; 1971 c.415 §1; 1973 c.497 §2; 1974 c.41 §4; 1981 c.535 §4; 1981 c.874 §15; 1985 c.108 §1; 1987 c.235 §1; 1991 c.473 §1; 1995 c.332 §13; 1999 c.927 §2; 2009 c.171 §1; 2015 c.629 §54; 2017 c.71 §2; 2022 c.6 §1]

Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 106, Oregon Laws 2022, provide:

Sec. 1. (1) The Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Employment Department and the Oregon Health Authority shall enter into an intergovernmental agreement, as authorized under ORS 190.110 (Authority of units of local government and state agencies to cooperate) , for the purpose of sharing information necessary to enable the Department of Consumer and Business Services to inform beneficiaries of their rights under ORS 656.204 (Death) .

(2) The information shared by the Oregon Health Authority under this section shall be the minimum necessary for the purpose set forth in subsection (1) of this section and is limited to information regarding deaths from COVID-19 associated with workplace outbreaks published by the authority. [2022 c.106 §1]

Sec. 2. Section 1 of this 2022 Act applies to data related to the rights of beneficiaries under ORS 656.204 (Death) arising before the date on which the state of emergency declared by the Governor on March 8, 2020, for the COVID-19 pandemic, and any extension of the state of emergency, is no longer in effect [April 1, 2022]. [2022 c.106 §2]

Source: Section 656.204 — Death , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657b.290 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657b / Section 657b.290
657B.290 Filing of lien statement or warrant
Status: in_force

(1) Any warrant attaching the lien under ORS 657B.280 (Delinquent contributions and improper benefit payments as liens on real or personal property) may also be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Filing in the office of the Secretary of State has no effect until a copy of the statement of lien or the warrant has been recorded with the county clerk.

(2) When a copy of the statement of lien or the warrant is filed with the Secretary of State in compliance with subsection (1) of this section, such filing shall have the same effect with respect to personal property as if the copy of the statement of lien or the warrant had been duly recorded with the county clerk in each county of this state.

(3) A copy of the statement of lien or the warrant filed with the Secretary of State shall be filed and indexed by the Secretary of State in the same manner as provided under ORS 79.0501 (UCC 9-501. Filing office) for the filing and indexing of financing statements. [2019 c.700 §18]

Source: Section 657B.290 — Filing of lien statement or warrant , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657B.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.086 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.086
659A.086 Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service
Status: in_force

(1) An employee shall be granted a leave of absence by the employer of the employee to perform active state service if:

(a) The employee is a member of the organized militia of this state and is called into active service of the state under ORS 399.065 (Ordering organized militia into active service of the state) or 399.075 (Ordering organized militia into active service of the state) .

(b) The employee is a member of the organized militia of another state and is called into active state service by the Governor of the respective state.

(2) The employer shall grant the employee a leave of absence until release from active state service permits the employee to resume the duties of employment. The regular employment position of an employee on a leave of absence for active state service under this section is considered vacant only for the period of the leave of absence. The employee is not subject to removal or discharge from the position as a consequence of the leave of absence.

(3) Upon the termination of the leave of absence for active state service, an employee shall:

(a) Resume the duties of employment within seven calendar days; and

(b) Be restored to the employee’s position or an equivalent position by the employer without loss of seniority, vacation credits, sick leave credits, service credits under a pension plan or any other employee benefit or right that had been earned at the time of the leave of absence.

(4) An employer is not required to pay wages or other monetary compensation to an employee during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section:

(a) The State of Oregon shall continue coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan to an employee of the State of Oregon and any other individual provided coverage under the employee’s plan on the day before the date the employee goes on leave for a period not exceeding a total of 12 months during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

(b) An employer other than the State of Oregon may continue coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan to an employee and any other individual provided coverage under the employee’s plan on the day before the date the employee goes on leave during a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section, the State of Oregon, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state may establish and administer a donated leave program that:

(A) Allows an employee who is on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section to receive donated leave; and

(B) Allows an employee to voluntarily donate vacation time to an eligible employee on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section.

(b) An employee who is on a leave of absence required under subsection (1) of this section and who receives donated leave under paragraph (a) of this subsection may receive an amount of donated leave that supplements any pay received as a member of the organized militia, but may not receive more than the amount the employee was earning in total compensation on the date the employee began the leave of absence.

(7) For the purpose of calculating total compensation under subsection (6) of this section, the State of Oregon, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall:

(a) Include any amounts attributable to hours of overtime that equal the average number of hours of overtime for the same employee class;

(b) Determine the average number of hours of overtime for an employee class based on a reasonable expectation of the average number of hours of overtime employees in that class would perform over the course of a calendar year; and

(c) Maintain records of the average number of hours of overtime for each employee class for each calendar year.

(8) As used in this section:

(a) “Active service of the state” has the meaning given that term in ORS 396.005 (Definitions of “active service,” “state active duty” and “active service of the state.”) .

(b) “Employee” means any individual, other than a copartner of the employer or an independent contractor, who renders personal services in this state to an employer who pays or agrees to pay wages or other compensation to the individual for those services.

(c) “Employee class” means a group of similarly situated employees whose positions have been designated by their employer in a policy or a collective bargaining agreement as having common characteristics.

(d) “Employer” means any person who employs one or more employees in this state. The term includes the State of Oregon or any county, city, district, authority, public corporation or entity and any of their instrumentalities organized and existing under law or charter, but does not include the federal government.

(e) “Total compensation” means the total of an employee’s base salary, differentials and overtime. [Formerly 399.230; 2013 c.81 §28; 2023 c.122 §10]

Note: 659A.086 (Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service) , 659A.088 (Violation of ORS 659A.086 as unlawful employment practice) and 659A.089 (Notification to Director of Veterans’ Affairs) were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 659A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 659A.086 — Employment rights of members of organized militia when called into active state service , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.171 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.171
659A.171 Job protection
Status: in_force

(1) After returning to work after taking family leave under the provisions of ORS 659A.150 (Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186) to 659A.186 (Exclusivity of provisions) , an eligible employee is entitled to be restored to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced if that position still exists, without regard to whether the employer filled the position with a replacement worker during the period of family leave. If the position held by the employee at the time family leave commenced no longer exists, the employee is entitled to be restored to any available equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay and other terms and conditions of employment. If an equivalent position is not available at the job site of the employee’s former position, the employer shall offer the employee an equivalent position at a job site located within 50 miles of the job site of the employee’s former position, if such a position is available. If equivalent positions are available at multiple job sites, the employer shall first offer the employee the position at the job site that is nearest to the job site of the employee’s former position.

(2) Except for employee benefits used during the period of leave, the taking of family leave under ORS 659A.150 (Definitions for ORS 659A.150 to 659A.186) to 659A.186 (Exclusivity of provisions) shall not result in the loss of any employment benefit accrued before the date on which the leave commenced.

(3) This section does not entitle any employee to:

(a) Any accrual of seniority or employment benefits during a period of family leave; or

(b) Any right, benefit or position of employment other than the rights, benefits and position that the employee would have been entitled to had the employee not taken the family leave.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Before restoring an employee to a position under subsection (1) of this section, an employer may require that the employee receive certification from the employee’s health care provider that the employee is able to resume work. Certification under this subsection may only be required pursuant to a uniformly applied practice or policy of the employer.

(b) This subsection does not affect the ability of an employer to require an employee during a period of family leave to report periodically to the employer on the employee’s status and on the employee’s intention to return to work.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, benefits are not required to continue to accrue during a period of family leave unless continuation or accrual is required under an agreement of the employer and the employee, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy.

(b) If the employee is provided group health insurance, the employee is entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage during the period of family leave on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work. If family member coverage is provided to the employee, family member coverage must be maintained during the period of family leave. The employee must continue to make any regular contributions to the cost of the health insurance premiums.

(c) Notwithstanding ORS 652.610 (Itemized statement of amounts and purposes of deductions) (3) and except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if the employer is required or elects to pay any part of the costs of providing disability, life or other insurance coverage for an employee during the period of family leave that should have been paid by the employee, the employer may deduct from the employee’s pay such amounts upon the employee’s return to work until the amount the employer advanced toward the payments is paid. In no event may the total amount deducted for insurance under the provisions of this subsection exceed 10 percent of the employee’s gross pay each pay period.

(6) Notwithstanding ORS 652.610 (Itemized statement of amounts and purposes of deductions) (3), if the employer pays any part of the costs of health, disability, life or other insurance coverage for an employee under the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, and the employee does not return to employment with the employer after taking family leave, the employer may deduct amounts paid by the employer from any amounts owed by the employer to the employee, or may seek to recover those amounts by any other legal means, unless the employee fails to return to work because of:

(a) A continuation, reoccurrence or onset of a serious health condition that would entitle the employee to leave for one of the purposes specified by ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) (1)(b) or (c); or

(b) Other circumstances beyond the control of the employee. [Formerly 659.484; 2015 c.323 §1; 2023 c.203 §7]

Source: Section 659A.171 — Job protection; benefits , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.307 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.307
653.307 Annual employment certificates
Status: in_force

(1) In accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183, the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules governing annual employment certificates required under this section. After September 9, 1995, the rules governing the total hours a minor can work may not be more restrictive than the requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 201, et seq.), unless otherwise provided by Oregon law.

(2) An employer who hires minors shall apply to the bureau for an annual employment certificate to employ minors. The application shall be on a form provided by the bureau and shall include, but need not be limited to:

(a) The estimated or average number of minors to be employed during the year.

(b) A description of the activities to be performed.

(c) A description of the machinery or other equipment to be used by the minors.

(3) Once a year, the bureau shall provide to all employers applying for an annual employment certificate an information sheet summarizing all rules and laws governing the employment of minors.

(4) Failure by an employer to comply with ORS 653.305 (Bureau’s inquiry into employment of minors) to 653.340 (Employment of minors for message and delivery service) or with the regulations adopted by the bureau pursuant to this section shall subject the employer to revocation of the right to hire minors in the future at the discretion of the bureau, provided that an employer shall be granted a hearing before the bureau prior to such action being taken.

(5) All school districts shall cooperate with the bureau and make available, upon request of the bureau, information concerning the age and schooling of minors. [1971 c.626 §2; 1995 c.133 §1; 2013 c.296 §22; 2021 c.97 §72]

Source: Section 653.307 — Annual employment certificates; effect of failure by employer to comply; school districts required to cooperate with bureau; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.283 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.283
656.283 Hearing rights and procedure
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to ORS 656.319 (Time within which hearing must be requested) , any party or the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services may at any time request a hearing on any matter concerning a claim, except matters for which a procedure for resolving the dispute is provided in another statute, including ORS 656.704 (Actions and orders regarding matters concerning claim and matters other than matters concerning claim) .

(2) A request for hearing may be made by any writing, signed by or on behalf of the party and including the address of the party, requesting the hearing, stating that a hearing is desired, and mailed to the Workers’ Compensation Board.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The board shall refer the request for hearing to an Administrative Law Judge for determination as expeditiously as possible. The hearing shall be scheduled for a date not more than 90 days after receipt by the board of the request for hearing. The hearing may not be postponed:

(A) Except in extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the requesting party; and

(B) For more than 120 days after the date of the postponed hearing.

(b) When a hearing set pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection is postponed because of the need to join one or more potentially responsible employers or insurers, the assigned Administrative Law Judge shall reschedule the hearing as expeditiously as possible after all potentially responsible employers and insurers have been joined in the proceeding and the medical record has been fully developed. The board shall adopt rules for hearings on claims involving one or more potentially responsible employers and insurers that:

(A) Require the parties to participate in any prehearing conferences required to expedite the hearing; and

(B) Authorize the Administrative Law Judge conducting the hearing to:

(i) Establish a prehearing schedule for investigation of the claim, including but not limited to the interviewing of the claimant;

(ii) Make prehearing rulings necessary to promote full discovery and completion of the medical record required for determination of the issues arising from the claim; and

(iii) Specify what is required of the claimant to meet the obligation to reasonably cooperate with the investigation of claims.

(c) Nothing in paragraph (b) of this subsection alters the obligation of an insurer or self-insured employer to accept or deny a claim for compensation as required under this chapter.

(d) If a hearing has been postponed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subsection:

(A) The director may not consider the timeliness of a denial issued in the claim that is the subject of the hearing for the purpose of imposing a penalty against an insurer or self-insured employer that is potentially responsible for the claim; and

(B) The 120-day maximum postponement established under paragraph (a) of this subsection for rescheduling a hearing does not apply.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) At least 60 days’ prior notice of the time and place of hearing shall be given to all parties in interest by mail. Hearings shall be held in the county where the worker resided at the time of the injury or such other place selected by the Administrative Law Judge.

(b) The 60-day prior notice required by paragraph (a) of this subsection:

(A) May be waived by agreement of the parties and the board if waiver of the notice will result in an earlier date for the hearing.

(B) Does not apply to hearings in cases assigned to the Expedited Claim Service under ORS 656.291 (Expedited Claim Service) , cases involving stayed compensation under ORS 656.313 (Stay of compensation pending request for hearing or review) (1)(b) and requests for hearing that are consolidated with an existing case with an existing hearing date.

(5) A record of all proceedings at the hearing shall be kept but need not be transcribed unless a party requests a review of the order of the Administrative Law Judge. Transcription shall be in written form as provided by ORS 656.295 (Board review of Administrative Law Judge orders) (3).

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this section and rules of procedure established by the board, the Administrative Law Judge is not bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules of procedure, and may conduct the hearing in any manner that will achieve substantial justice. Neither the board nor an Administrative Law Judge may prevent a party from withholding impeachment evidence until the opposing party’s case in chief has been presented, at which time the impeachment evidence may be used. Impeachment evidence consisting of medical or vocational reports not used during the course of a hearing must be provided to any opposing party at the conclusion of the presentation of evidence and before closing arguments are presented. Impeachment evidence other than medical or vocational reports that is not presented as evidence at hearing is not subject to disclosure. Evaluation of the worker’s disability by the Administrative Law Judge shall be as of the date of issuance of the reconsideration order pursuant to ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) . Any finding of fact regarding the worker’s impairment must be established by medical evidence that is supported by objective findings. The Administrative Law Judge shall apply to the hearing of the claim such standards for evaluation of disability as may be adopted by the director pursuant to ORS 656.726 (Duties and powers to carry out workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws) . Evidence on an issue regarding a notice of closure that was not submitted at the reconsideration required by ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) is not admissible at hearing, and issues that were not raised by a party to the reconsideration may not be raised at hearing unless the issue arises out of the reconsideration order itself. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent or limit the right of a worker, insurer or self-insured employer to present the reconsideration record at hearing to establish by a preponderance of that evidence that the standards adopted pursuant to ORS 656.726 (Duties and powers to carry out workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws) for evaluation of the worker’s permanent disability were incorrectly applied in the reconsideration order pursuant to ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) . If the Administrative Law Judge finds that the claim has been closed prematurely, the Administrative Law Judge shall issue an order rescinding the notice of closure.

(7) Any party shall be entitled to issuance and service of subpoenas under the provisions of ORS 656.726 (Duties and powers to carry out workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws) (2)(c). Any party or representative of the party may serve such subpoenas.

(8) After a party requests a hearing and before the hearing commences, the board, by rule, may require the requesting party, if represented by an attorney, to notify the Administrative Law Judge in writing that the attorney has conferred with the other party and that settlement has been achieved, subject to board approval, or that settlement cannot be achieved. [1965 c.285 §34; 1979 c.839 §7; 1981 c.535 §33; 1981 c.860 §§1,5; 1985 c.600 §9; 1987 c.884 §11; 1990 c.2 §20; 1995 c.332 §34; 1999 c.313 §7; 2003 c.667 §2; 2005 c.26 §11; 2005 c.624 §1; 2009 c.35 §2]

Source: Section 656.283 — Hearing rights and procedure; rules; impeachment evidence; use of standards for evaluation of disability , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.455 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.455
656.455 Self-insured employers to process claims and make records available at authorized locations
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, every self-insured employer shall maintain a place of business in this state where the employer shall process claims and make available complete records of all claims for compensation made to the employer under this chapter. In lieu of maintaining a place of business in this state for the purpose of complying with this section, a self-insured employer may, under the conditions prescribed by ORS 731.475 (Claims processing by workers’ compensation insurer) (3), make such records available at places of business in this state operated by service companies.

(b) The self-insured employer may dispose of the records described in paragraph (a) of this subsection only in accordance with rules the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services adopted under ORS 731.475 (Claims processing by workers’ compensation insurer) . Such records must be available to the director for examination and audit at all reasonable times upon notice by the director to the employer.

(c) A self-insured employer may process claims remotely from a place of business in this state in accordance with rules adopted under ORS 731.475 (Claims processing by workers’ compensation insurer) .

(2) With the permission of the director, a self-insured employer may process claims and make available claims records from a location outside of this state. The director shall by rule prescribe the conditions and procedure for obtaining permission of the director. The director may revoke permission for failure of the employer to comply with the rules. If the permission of an employer is revoked by the director, the employer has 60 days after the order of revocation becomes final to comply with subsection (1) of this section. The self-insured employer shall pay any expenses the director incurs to examine and audit the records outside of this state.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a self-insured employer may not process claims or maintain claims records at more than three locations at any one time. [1975 c.585 §8; 1989 c.630 §2; 2021 c.21 §2]

Source: Section 656.455 — Self-insured employers to process claims and make records available at authorized locations; disposal of records; expenses for out-of-state audits; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 652.355 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 652 / Section 652.355
652.355 Prohibition of discrimination because of wage claim or refusal to work additional hours
Status: in_force

(1) An employer may not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because:

(a) The employee has made a wage claim or discussed, inquired about or consulted an attorney or agency about a wage claim;

(b) The employee has caused to be instituted any proceedings under or related to ORS 652.310 (Definitions of employer and employee) to 652.414 (Procedure for payment from fund) ;

(c) The employee has testified or is about to testify in any such proceedings;

(d) The employee has inquired about the provisions of ORS 652.020 (Maximum working hours in certain industries) or has reported a violation of or filed a complaint related to ORS 652.020 (Maximum working hours in certain industries) ;

(e) The employee has declined to consent to work more than 55 hours in any given workweek under ORS 652.020 (Maximum working hours in certain industries) or 653.265 (Overtime for persons employed in canneries, driers and packing plants) ; or

(f) The employee has declined to consent to work more than 55 hours per workweek in any given workweek during an undue hardship period under ORS 652.020 (Maximum working hours in certain industries) or 653.265 (Overtime for persons employed in canneries, driers and packing plants) .

(2) A violation of this section is an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A. A person unlawfully discriminated against under this section may file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 (Complaints) with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. [1975 c.397 §2; 1980 c.1 §1; 2007 c.278 §1; 2017 c.685 §3]

Source: Section 652.355 — Prohibition of discrimination because of wage claim or refusal to work additional hours; remedy , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors652.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.715 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.715
654.715 Report of accidents to Public Utility Commission
Status: in_force

(1) Every public utility and telecommunications utility shall give immediate notice by telegraph, telephone or personally, to the Public Utility Commission whenever any accident occurs within this state upon its premises, or directly or indirectly arises from or is connected with its maintenance or operation, if the accident is attended by loss of human life or limb or serious injury to person or property.

(2) The Public Utility Commission may, if the commission deems the public interest requires it, investigate each such accident forthwith, after giving the public utility or telecommunications utility involved reasonable notice of the time and place of such investigation.

(3) The Public Utility Commission may adopt and amend rules and regulations governing the form and content of reports to the commission to enable the commission to ascertain relevant facts and circumstances attending such accident and the causes thereof. Whenever the original report is insufficient, in the opinion of the commission, the commission may require the public utility or telecommunications utility to file supplemental reports of accidents. [Amended by 1965 c.462 §2; 1987 c.447 §137; 1995 c.733 §48]

Source: Section 654.715 — Report of accidents to Public Utility Commission; investigation; supplemental reports; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657b.020 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657b / Section 657b.020
657B.020 Qualifying purposes for benefits
Status: in_force

(1) A covered individual may qualify for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave insurance benefits per benefit year for leave taken for any of the following purposes, in any combination:

(a) Family leave;

(b) Medical leave; or

(c) Safe leave.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 657B.025 (Coordination of leave) and except as provided under subsection (3) of this section, a covered individual who has taken any amount of paid leave available under subsection (1) of this section may take a total of 16 weeks of leave in the benefit year in any combination of the paid leave available under subsection (1) of this section, not to exceed 12 weeks, and unpaid leave under ORS 659A.159 (Purposes for which family leave may be taken) for which the covered individual is eligible under ORS 659A.156 (Eligible employees) . The leave may be taken for any purpose for which leave is allowable under the respective leave programs.

(3) In addition to the leave available under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, a covered individual may qualify for up to two additional weeks of benefits for limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation, for a total amount of leave under this subsection and subsections (1) and (2) of this section, not to exceed 18 weeks per benefit year. [2019 c.700 §4]

Source: Section 657B.020 — Qualifying purposes for benefits; duration of benefits , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657B.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.200 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.200
657.200 Labor dispute disqualification
Status: in_force

(1) An individual is disqualified for benefits for any week with respect to which the Director of the Employment Department finds that the unemployment of the individual is due to a labor dispute that is in active progress at the factory, establishment or other premises at which the individual is or was last employed or at which the individual claims employment rights by union agreement or otherwise.

(2) When an employer operates two or more premises in the conduct of business they shall be considered one premises for the purposes of this chapter if the labor dispute at one makes it impossible or impractical to conduct work at the others or in a normal manner.

(3) This section does not apply if it is shown to the satisfaction of the director that the individual:

(a) Is unemployed due to a lockout, as defined in ORS 662.205 (Definitions for ORS 662.205 to 662.225) , at the factory, establishment or other premises at which the individual was last employed; or

(b) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) Is not participating in or financing or directly interested in the labor dispute that caused the unemployment of the individual; and

(B) Does not belong to a grade or class of workers of which, immediately before the commencement of the labor dispute, there were members employed at the premises at which the labor dispute occurs, any of whom are participating in or financing or directly interested in the dispute.

(4) An individual who meets all other applicable benefit eligibility requirements of this chapter is not disqualified from receipt of benefits by this section if:

(a) The individual was laid off from the employer prior to commencement of the labor dispute, did not work for the employer more than seven days during the 21 calendar days immediately prior to the commencement of the labor dispute and meets the requirements of subsection (3)(b)(A) of this section; or

(b) During the labor dispute, the individual’s job or position is filled by the employer hiring a permanent replacement and the following conditions are met:

(A) The individual subsequently unilaterally abandons the labor dispute and affirmatively seeks reemployment with the employer; and

(B) The individual meets the requirements of subsection (3)(b)(A) of this section.

(5) An individual who maintains membership in a labor union or who continues to pay labor union dues does not violate the provisions of subsection (3)(b)(A) of this section, for the purpose of subsection (4) of this section. [Amended by 1985 c.133 §1; 1989 c.1095 §1; 2007 c.600 §1]

Source: Section 657.200 — Labor dispute disqualification; exceptions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657b.230 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657b / Section 657b.230
657B.230 Application for reapproval of plan
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in ORS 657B.240 (Withdrawal from plan) , an employer shall resubmit an application to the Director of the Employment Department for reapproval of a plan that was approved under ORS 657B.210 (Equivalent plans, generally) . An employer shall apply for reapproval once a year for a three-year period following the date on which the director first approved the plan.

(2) Unless an employer has made changes to a plan that were not considered by the director in a previously approved or reapproved application, an employer need not submit an application for reapproval of the plan after expiration of the three-year period described in subsection (1) of this section. [2019 c.700 §45]

Source: Section 657B.230 — Application for reapproval of plan , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657B.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.261 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.261
653.261 Minimum employment conditions
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules prescribing such minimum conditions of employment, excluding minimum wages, in any occupation as may be necessary for the preservation of the health of employees. The rules may include, but are not limited to, minimum meal periods and rest periods, and maximum hours of work, but not less than eight hours per day or 40 hours per workweek; however, after 40 hours of work in one workweek overtime may be paid, but in no case at a rate higher than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay of the employees when computed without benefit of commissions, overrides, spiffs and similar benefits.

(b) As used in this subsection, “workweek” means a fixed period of time established by an employer that reflects a regularly recurring period of 168 hours or seven consecutive 24-hour periods. A workweek may begin on any day of the week and any hour of the day and need not coincide with a calendar week. The beginning of the workweek may be changed if the change is intended to be permanent and is not designed to evade overtime requirements.

(2) Rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (1) of this section do not apply to individuals employed by this state or a political subdivision or quasi-municipal corporation thereof if other provisions of law or collective bargaining agreements prescribe rules pertaining to conditions of employment referred to in subsection (1) of this section, including meal periods, rest periods, maximum hours of work and overtime.

(3) Rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (1) of this section regarding meal periods and rest periods do not apply to nurses who provide acute care in hospital settings if provisions of collective bargaining agreements entered into by the nurses prescribe rules concerning meal periods and rest periods.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules regarding meal periods for employees who serve food or beverages, receive tips and report the tips to the employer.

(b) In rules adopted by the commissioner under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the commissioner shall permit an employee to waive a meal period. However, an employer may not coerce an employee into waiving a meal period.

(c) Notwithstanding ORS 653.256 (Civil penalty for general employment statute or rule violations) (1), in addition to any other penalty provided by law, the commissioner may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 against an employer that the commissioner finds has coerced an employee into waiving a meal period in violation of this subsection. Each violation is a separate and distinct offense. In the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance is a separate and distinct violation.

(d) Civil penalties authorized by this subsection shall be imposed in the manner provided in ORS 183.745 (Civil penalty procedures) . All sums collected as penalties under this subsection shall be applied and paid over as provided in ORS 653.256 (Civil penalty for general employment statute or rule violations) (4). [1967 c.596 §5 (2), (3); 1971 c.492 §1; 1981 c.361 §2; 1985 c.99 §9; 2001 c.466 §1; 2007 c.167 §§1,2; 2011 c.58 §1; 2017 c.685 §§6,7]

Note: The amendments to 653.261 (Minimum employment conditions) by section 27, chapter 507, Oregon Laws 2023, become operative June 1, 2025. See section 33, chapter 507, Oregon Laws 2023. The text that is operative on and after June 1, 2025, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

653.261 (Minimum employment conditions) . (1)(a) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules prescribing such minimum conditions of employment, excluding minimum wages, in any occupation as may be necessary for the preservation of the health of employees. The rules may include, but are not limited to, minimum meal periods and rest periods, and maximum hours of work, but not less than eight hours per day or 40 hours per workweek; however, after 40 hours of work in one workweek overtime may be paid, but in no case at a rate higher than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay of the employees when computed without benefit of commissions, overrides, spiffs and similar benefits.

(b) As used in this subsection, “workweek” means a fixed period of time established by an employer that reflects a regularly recurring period of 168 hours or seven consecutive 24-hour periods. A workweek may begin on any day of the week and any hour of the day and need not coincide with a calendar week. The beginning of the workweek may be changed if the change is intended to be permanent and is not designed to evade overtime requirements.

(2) Rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (1) of this section do not apply to individuals employed by this state or a political subdivision or quasi-municipal corporation thereof if other provisions of law or collective bargaining agreements prescribe rules pertaining to conditions of employment referred to in subsection (1) of this section, including meal periods, rest periods, maximum hours of work and overtime.

(3) Except as provided in ORS 653.258 (Enforcement of rules regarding meal periods and rest periods for hospital staff) (2)(a), rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (1) of this section regarding meal periods and rest periods do not apply to nurses who provide acute care in hospital settings if provisions of collective bargaining agreements entered into by the nurses prescribe rules concerning meal periods and rest periods.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules regarding meal periods for employees who serve food or beverages, receive tips and report the tips to the employer.

(b) In rules adopted by the commissioner under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the commissioner shall permit an employee to waive a meal period. However, an employer may not coerce an employee into waiving a meal period.

(c) Notwithstanding ORS 653.256 (Civil penalty for general employment statute or rule violations) (1), in addition to any other penalty provided by law, the commissioner may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 against an employer that the commissioner finds has coerced an employee into waiving a meal period in violation of this subsection. Each violation is a separate and distinct offense. In the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance is a separate and distinct violation.

(d) Civil penalties authorized by this subsection shall be imposed in the manner provided in ORS 183.745 (Civil penalty procedures) . All sums collected as penalties under this subsection shall be applied and paid over as provided in ORS 653.256 (Civil penalty for general employment statute or rule violations) (4).

Source: Section 653.261 — Minimum employment conditions; overtime; rules; meal periods; exemptions; penalty , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.210 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.210
656.210 Temporary total disability
Status: in_force

(1) When the total disability is only temporary, the worker shall receive during the period of that total disability compensation equal to 66-2/3 percent of wages, but not more than 133 percent of the average weekly wage nor less than the amount of 90 percent of wages a week or the amount of $50 a week, whichever amount is less. Notwithstanding the limitation imposed by this subsection, an injured worker who is not otherwise eligible to receive an increase in benefits for the fiscal year in which compensation is paid shall have the benefits increased each fiscal year by the percentage which the applicable average weekly wage has increased since the previous fiscal year.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) For the purpose of this section, the weekly wage of workers shall be ascertained:

(A) For workers employed in one job at the time of injury, by multiplying the daily wage the worker was receiving by the number of days per week that the worker was regularly employed; or

(B) For workers employed in more than one job at the time of injury, by adding all earnings the worker was receiving from all subject employment.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection, the weekly wage calculated under paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection shall be used for workers employed in more than one job at the time of injury unless the insurer, self-insured employer or assigned claims agent for a noncomplying employer receives:

(A) Within 30 days of receipt of the initial claim, notice that the worker was employed in more than one job with a subject employer at the time of injury; and

(B) Within 60 days of the date of mailing a request for verification, verifiable documentation of wages from such additional employment.

(c) Notwithstanding ORS 656.005 (Definitions) (7)(c), an injury to a worker employed in more than one job at the time of injury is not disabling if no temporary disability benefits are payable for time lost from the job at injury. Claim costs incurred as a result of supplemental temporary disability benefits paid as provided in subsection (5) of this section may not be included in any data used for ratemaking or individual employer rating or dividend calculations by an insurer, a rating organization licensed pursuant to ORS chapter 737, the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation or the Department of Consumer and Business Services if the injured worker is not eligible for permanent disability benefits or temporary disability benefits for time lost from the job at injury.

(d) For the purpose of this section:

(A) The benefits of a worker who incurs an injury shall be based on the wage of the worker at the time of injury.

(B) The benefits of a worker who incurs an occupational disease shall be based on the wage of the worker at the time there is medical verification that the worker is unable to work because of the disability caused by the occupational disease. If the worker is not working at the time that there is medical verification that the worker is unable to work because of the disability caused by the occupational disease, the benefits shall be based on the wage of the worker at the worker’s last regular employment.

(e) As used in this subsection, “regularly employed” means actual employment or availability for such employment. For workers not regularly employed and for workers with no remuneration or whose remuneration is not based solely upon daily or weekly wages, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, by rule, may prescribe methods for establishing the worker’s weekly wage.

(3) No disability payment is recoverable for temporary total or partial disability suffered during the first three calendar days after the worker leaves work or loses wages as a result of the compensable injury unless the worker is totally disabled after the injury and the total disability continues for a period of 14 consecutive days or unless the worker is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital within 14 days of the first onset of total disability. If the worker leaves work or loses wages on the day of the injury due to the injury, that day shall be considered the first day of the three-day period.

(4) When an injured worker with an accepted disabling compensable injury is required to leave work to receive compensable medical services for the compensable injury, the worker shall receive temporary disability benefits calculated pursuant to ORS 656.212 (Temporary partial disability) for the period during which the worker is absent, until such time as the worker is determined to be medically stationary. However, benefits under this subsection are not payable if wages are paid for the period of absence by the employer. An insurer may require a worker to confirm the period during which the worker is absent from work to receive compensable medical services under this subsection. The notice requirement under ORS 656.262 (Processing of claims and payment of compensation) (4)(j) does not apply to temporary disability benefits paid pursuant to this subsection.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The insurer of the employer at injury or the self-insured employer at injury, may elect to be responsible for payment of supplemental temporary disability benefits to a worker employed in more than one job at the time of injury. In accordance with rules adopted by the director, if the worker’s weekly wage is determined under subsection (2)(a)(B) of this section, the insurer or self-insured employer shall be reimbursed from the Workers’ Benefit Fund for the amount of temporary disability benefits paid that exceeds the amount payable pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(A) of this section had the worker been employed in only one job at the time of injury. Such reimbursement shall include an administrative fee payable to the insurer or self-insured employer pursuant to rules adopted by the director.

(b) If the insurer or self-insured employer elects not to pay the supplemental temporary disability benefits for a worker employed in more than one job at the time of injury, the director shall either administer and pay the supplemental benefits directly or shall assign responsibility to administer and process the payment to a paying agent selected by the director.

(6) The director shall adopt rules for the payment and reimbursement of supplemental temporary disability benefits under this section. [Amended by 1955 c.713 §1; 1957 c.452 §2; 1959 c.517 §2; 1965 c.285 §22c; 1969 c.183 §1; 1969 c.500 §1; 1971 c.204 §1; 1973 c.614 §1; 1974 c.41 §6; 1975 c.507 §1; 1975 c.663 §1; 1985 c.507 §3; 1987 c.521 §1; 1987 c.713 §7; 1995 c.332 §15; 2001 c.865 §3; 2003 c.760 §1; 2007 c.241 §10; 2009 c.313 §1; 2023 c.142 §1]

Source: Section 656.210 — Temporary total disability; payment during medical treatment; employer election to pay supplemental benefits; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.720 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.720
654.720 Public inspection or use of reports as evidence prohibited
Status: in_force

No report, or any part thereof, required by ORS 654.715 (Report of accidents to Public Utility Commission) , shall be open to public inspection or be used as evidence in any action for damages in any suit or action arising out of any matter mentioned in the report.

Source: Section 654.720 — Public inspection or use of reports as evidence prohibited , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 662.415 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 662 / Section 662.415
662.415 State Conciliation Service established
Status: in_force

A State Conciliation Service hereby is established within the Employment Relations Board with the primary responsibility for fostering collective bargaining by rendering voluntary assistance to employers and employees in resolving their differences without resort to strikes, lockouts or other forms of conflict. [1957 c.122 §2(1); 1969 c.671 §13]

Source: Section 662.415 — State Conciliation Service established; purpose , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors662.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.046 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.046
656.046 Coverage of persons in college work experience and professional education programs
Status: in_force

(1) All persons registered at a college and participating as unpaid trainees in a work experience program who are subject to the direction of noncollege-employed supervisors, and those trainees participating in college directed professional education projects, are considered workers of the college subject to this chapter for purposes of this section. However, trainees who are covered by the Federal Employees Compensation Act shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.

(2) A college conducting a work experience program or college directed professional education project shall submit a written statement to the insurer, or in the case of self-insurers, to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, that includes a description of the work to be performed by such persons and an estimate of the total number of persons enrolled in the program or project.

(3) Persons covered under this section are entitled to the benefits of this chapter. However, such persons are not entitled to benefits under ORS 656.210 (Temporary total disability) or 656.212 (Temporary partial disability) . They are entitled to such benefits if injured as provided in ORS 656.156 (Intentional injuries) and 656.202 (Compensation payable to subject worker in accordance with law in effect at time of injury) while performing any duties arising out of and in the course of their participation in the work experience program or college directed professional education project, provided the duties being performed are among those:

(a) Described on the application of the college; and

(b) Required of similar full-time paid employees.

(4) The filing of claims for benefits under this section is the exclusive remedy of a trainee or a beneficiary of the trainee for injuries compensable under this chapter against the state, its political subdivisions, the college district board, members, officers and employees of the board or any employer, regardless of negligence.

(5) A college may elect to make trainees subject to this chapter for college directed professional education projects not enumerated in subsection (8) of this section or for work experience programs under the direction of college-employed supervisors by filing a written request with the insurer of the college, or in the case of self-insured colleges, with the director. Coverage under such election shall become effective no sooner than the date of receipt by the insurer. The coverage request shall include a description of the work to be performed and an estimate of the number of participating trainees. The insurer or director shall accept a request that meets the criteria of this section.

(6) The provisions of this section shall be inapplicable to any trainee who has earned wages for such employment.

(7) As used in this section, “college” means any community college district or community college service district as defined in ORS chapter 341.

(8) As used in this section, “college directed professional education project” means an assigned on-campus or off-campus project that is a component of a program approved by the college board or the operating procedures of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and involves work that provides practical experience beyond the initial instruction and demonstration phases, performed outside of the college classroom or laboratory environment and requiring substantial hands-on participation by trainees. Such projects are further limited to logging, silvicultural thinning, slash burning, fire fighting, stream enhancement, woodcutting, reforestation, tree surgery, construction, printing and manufacturing involving formed metals. [1991 c.534 §3; 1993 c.18 §139; 1995 c.343 §53; 2013 c.747 §189]

Source: Section 656.046 — Coverage of persons in college work experience and professional education programs , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 660.520 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 660 / Section 660.520
660.520 Rules establishing standards and guidelines
Status: in_force

In accordance with applicable provisions in ORS chapter 183, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, in consultation with the OregonServes Commission, may adopt rules:

(1) Establishing standards and guidelines for applications for grants; and

(2) Establishing standards and requirements for administration of programs funded by grants. [Formerly 458.573]

Source: Section 660.520 — Rules establishing standards and guidelines , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors660.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 658.405 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 658 / Section 658.405
658.405 Definitions for ORS 658.405 to 658.511
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 658.405 (Definitions for ORS 658.405 to 658.511) to 658.511 (Wage claim against property services contractor or construction labor contractor) and 658.991 (Criminal penalties) (2) and (3), unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Agricultural association” means a nonprofit or cooperative association of farmers, growers or ranchers that is incorporated under applicable state law and that acts as a farm labor contractor solely on behalf of members of the association.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Construction labor contractor” includes any person that:

(A) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers to perform labor for another in construction;

(B) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers on behalf of an employer engaged in construction; or

(C) Enters into a subcontract with another for any of the activities described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph.

(b) “Construction labor contractor” does not include:

(A) A person that has a construction contract with an owner of real property where the construction work is performed;

(B) A person that has obtained building permits to perform construction work;

(C) A person that supplies building materials or machinery, other than manual tools or hand-operated power tools, for a construction project;

(D) An owner of real property engaged in the solicitation or recruitment of persons to perform construction work on the owner’s property;

(E) The Employment Department;

(F) A crew leader;

(G) Individuals who perform labor pursuant to an agreement for exchanging their own labor or services with each other, provided the work is performed on land owned or leased by the individuals;

(H) An educational institution that is recognized as such by the Department of Education;

(I) A labor union;

(J) A local joint apprenticeship committee formed under ORS 660.135 (Local joint committees) ; or

(K) A staffing agency whose primary purpose is to provide workers to the client employers of the agency under the terms of a client agreement, if the agency provides workers’ compensation coverage for all employees as required by ORS chapter 656 and pays employment and income taxes in accordance with applicable law.

(3) “Crew leader” means the member of a group of workers who acts as spokesman for the group, travels with the group from another state into Oregon and performs the same work along with other group members. A crew leader may transport workers from their local place of residence to their place of employment so long as the crew leader does not perform this service for a profit.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Farm labor contractor” includes any person that:

(A) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers to perform labor for another person to work in forestation or reforestation of lands, including but not limited to the planting, transplanting, tubing, precommercial thinning and thinning of trees and seedlings, the clearing, piling and disposal of brush and slash and other related activities;

(B) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers to perform labor for another person in the production or harvesting of farm products;

(C) Recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers to gather evergreen boughs, yew bark, bear grass, salal or ferns from public lands for sale or market prior to processing or manufacture;

(D) Recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers on behalf of an employer engaged in these activities;

(E) In connection with the recruitment or employment of workers to work in these activities, furnishes board or lodging for such workers;

(F) Bids or submits prices on contract offers for those activities; or

(G) Enters into a subcontract with another for any of those activities.

(b) “Farm labor contractor” does not include:

(A) Farmers, including owners or lessees of land intended to be used for the production of timber, their permanent employees, advertising media, platoon leaders or individuals engaged in the solicitation or recruitment of persons for dayhaul work in connection with the growing, production or harvesting of farm products;

(B) The Employment Department;

(C) A crew leader;

(D) An individual who performs work, other than recruiting, supplying, soliciting or employing workers to perform labor for another, alone or only with the assistance of the individual’s spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father;

(E) Individuals who perform labor pursuant to an agreement for exchanging their own labor or services with each other, provided the work is performed on land owned or leased by the individuals;

(F) An educational institution that is recognized as such by the Department of Education;

(G) A farmer who operates a farmworker camp, regulated under ORS 658.750 (Camp operator registration) , who recruits, supplies, solicits or employs workers only for the farmer’s own operations, and has farmworkers living in the camp who are employed by another on no more than an incidental basis, and the farmer receives no remuneration by virtue of such incidental employment; or

(H) A labor union.

(5) “Labor contractor” means a construction labor contractor, a farm labor contractor or a property services contractor.

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Property services contractor” includes any person that:

(A) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers to perform labor for another person to provide services that include janitorial services;

(B) For an agreed remuneration or rate of pay, recruits, solicits, supplies or employs workers on behalf of an employer to provide services that include janitorial services; or

(C) Enters into a subcontract with another for any of the activities described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph.

(b) “Property services contractor” does not include:

(A) The Employment Department;

(B) Employees of a property services contractor who is licensed under ORS 658.405 (Definitions for ORS 658.405 to 658.511) to 658.511 (Wage claim against property services contractor or construction labor contractor) ;

(C) Individuals who perform labor pursuant to an agreement for exchanging their own labor or services with each other, provided the work is performed on land owned or leased by the individuals;

(D) An educational institution that is recognized as such by the Department of Education; or

(E) A labor union. [1959 c.395 §1; 1961 c.390 §1; 1975 c.502 §1; 1981 c.606 §1; 1983 c.654 §3; 1985 c.314 §1; 1987 c.158 §128; 1991 c.848 §1; 1995 c.73 §1; 1999 c.628 §1; 2013 c.584 §1; 2017 c.676 §1; 2018 c.8 §1]

Source: Section 658.405 — Definitions for ORS 658.405 to 658.511 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors658.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.505 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.505
657.505 Payment of and liability for taxes
Status: in_force

(1) On and after January 1, 1936, taxes shall be payable by each employer then subject to this chapter. Taxes shall become payable by any other employer on and after the date on which the employer becomes subject to this chapter.

(2) An employer shall be liable for taxes on all wages paid for services performed on or after the first day of a calendar quarter.

(3) Taxes of an employer shall not become payable until this chapter has been approved by the Secretary of Labor, and notice of such approval has been given to the Governor as provided in section 3304 of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act.

(4) All taxes shall be paid to and collected by the Director of the Employment Department at such times and in such manner as the director may prescribe and upon collection, shall be deposited in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.

(5) In lieu of taxes required of all other employers subject to this chapter, the state shall pay into the fund an amount equivalent to the amount of all regular benefits and all extended benefits paid out to claimants who during the applicable base year were paid wages by the state. Payments required under this section shall be payable from the General Fund of the state, except that if a claimant was paid wages by the state during the base year from a special or administrative fund provided for by law, the payment into the fund shall be made from such special or administrative fund with the approval of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services.

(6) Any political subdivision subject to this chapter shall, in lieu of taxes required of other employers subject to this chapter, pay into the fund an amount equivalent to the amount of all regular benefits and all extended benefits paid out to claimants who during the applicable base year were paid wages by the political subdivision.

(7) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Any nonprofit employing unit or any Indian tribe subject to or electing coverage under this chapter shall pay taxes under the provisions of ORS 657.475 (Where a number of the same workers are normally employed by several employers) and 657.480 (Effect of transfer of trade or business) . However:

(A) Such nonprofit employing unit may elect to make reimbursement payments into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund in an amount equivalent to the amount of regular benefits and one-half of extended benefits paid out to claimants who during the applicable base period were paid wages by such nonprofit employing unit. Such reimbursement payments shall be deemed to be taxes for all purposes of this chapter.

(B) Such Indian tribe may elect to make reimbursement payments into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund in an amount equivalent to the amount of regular benefits and all extended benefits paid out to claimants who during the applicable base period were paid wages by the Indian tribe. Such reimbursement payments shall be deemed to be taxes for all purposes of this chapter.

(b) A nonprofit employing unit or an Indian tribe may elect to make reimbursement payments by filing with the director a written notice to this effect within the 30-day period following the close of the calendar quarter in which the nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe became an employer, or may make a timely election within 30 days after the director finds the nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe in default with respect to payment of taxes if the director has not found the default to be due to an intent to postpone or avoid either payment of taxes due the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund or the election to make reimbursement payments pursuant to this paragraph. A nonprofit employing unit or an Indian tribe failing to submit a timely notice of election of reimbursement shall be liable for taxes on any wages paid for services performed for such nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe for two calendar years. Such nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe will remain liable for taxes for any calendar year thereafter unless a written notice of election of reimbursement is filed with the director by January 31 of such calendar year. The director shall for good cause extend the period within which a notice of election of reimbursement must be filed for an additional 30 days.

(c) Elections of reimbursement shall continue until canceled but shall be for a period of not less than two calendar years. Any nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe may cancel such election, and pay taxes as any other employer, by filing with the director a written notice of its intention to cancel such election by January 31 of the year in which the cancellation is to be effective. The director may for good cause extend the period within which a notice of cancellation may be filed for an additional 30 days. Once a cancellation is effective the nonprofit employing unit or Indian tribe must pay taxes for two calendar years before it is again eligible for election of reimbursement. An employer whose election of reimbursement has been canceled shall thereafter be liable for taxes at the rate assigned an employer in accordance with ORS 657.435 (Base rate for first year) until such employer is eligible for a rate based on the experience of the employer in accordance with the provisions of ORS 657.475 (Where a number of the same workers are normally employed by several employers) and 657.480 (Effect of transfer of trade or business) .

(d) Each nonprofit employing unit that elects to reimburse the fund shall, within 30 days after the effective date of its election, either execute and file with the director a surety bond or deposit with the director money, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an insured institution as defined in ORS 706.008 (Additional definitions for Bank Act) or other security as approved by the director. The amount of the bond or deposit shall be two percent of the nonprofit employing unit’s total wages paid for employment covered by this chapter for the four calendar quarters immediately preceding the effective date of the election. If the nonprofit employing unit did not pay wages in each of such four calendar quarters, the amount of the bond or deposit shall be as determined by the director. The amount of the bond or deposit shall not exceed the amount of taxes the nonprofit employing unit would have been assessed at the maximum tax rate for the same period had not the nonprofit employing unit elected to make reimbursement payments. However, no surety bond or deposit shall be required of an institution of higher education, unless in the discretion of the director the director determines that a surety bond or deposit shall be required of such an institution.

(A) Any bond or letter of credit deposited under this paragraph shall be in force for a period of not less than two calendar years and shall be renewed with the approval of the director, at such times as the director may prescribe, but not less frequently than at two year intervals as long as the nonprofit employing unit continues to be liable for reimbursement payments. The director shall require adjustments to be made in a previously filed bond or letter of credit as the director deems appropriate. If the bond or letter of credit is to be increased, the bond or letter of credit shall be filed by the nonprofit employing unit within 30 days of the date notice of the required adjustment was mailed or otherwise delivered to it. Failure by any nonprofit employing unit covered by such bond or letter of credit to pay the full amount of reimbursements when due, together with any applicable interest and penalties, shall render the surety liable on said bond or the issuer liable on the letter of credit to the extent of the amount thereof including interest and penalties assessed pursuant to this chapter.

(B) Any deposit of money or security in accordance with this paragraph shall be retained by the director. Money shall be deposited in the Employment Tax Guarantee Fund. When liability under the election is terminated the deposit shall be returned to the nonprofit employing unit, less any deductions as hereinafter provided. The director may transfer moneys from the Employment Tax Guarantee Fund or sell securities deposited as necessary to satisfy any due and unpaid reimbursements and any applicable interest and penalties. The director shall require the nonprofit employing unit within 30 days following transfer of a money deposit or sale of securities to deposit sufficient additional money or securities to restore the original deposit in full. The director may, at any time, review the adequacy of the deposit made by any nonprofit employing unit. If, as a result of such review, the director determines that an adjustment is necessary, the director shall require the nonprofit employing unit to make an additional deposit within 30 days of written notice of the determination or shall return to it such portion of the deposit as the director no longer considers necessary, whichever action is appropriate.

(C) If any nonprofit employing unit fails to file a bond or make a deposit, or to file a bond in an increased amount or to increase or make whole the amount of a previously made deposit, as provided in this section, the director may terminate such nonprofit employing unit’s election to make reimbursement payments. The director may extend for good cause the applicable filing, deposit or adjustment period by not more than 30 days. A nonprofit employing unit having its election terminated under this section shall pay taxes for a period of two calendar years before it is again eligible for election to reimburse.

(8) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) At the end of each calendar quarter, or at the end of any other period as prescribed by the director, the director shall determine the amount of payments in lieu of taxes or reimbursement payments required, under subsections (5), (6) and (7) of this section, and shall bill each employer for such amount. If a claimant during a base year was employed by an employer liable for payments in lieu of taxes or reimbursement payments and other employers subject to the tax rate provisions of this chapter, the amount to be paid into the fund by employers liable for payments in lieu of taxes or reimbursement payments shall be an amount that is in the same proportion that the wages paid by each employer to the individual during the base year bear to the wages paid by all employers to that individual during that year.

(b) In determining the amount of payments in lieu of taxes or reimbursement payments, benefits paid for any reason shall be included if such benefits or any portion thereof were paid as a result of wages earned in the employ of an employer required to make reimbursing payments or payments in lieu of taxes. Such benefits paid include but are not limited to payments made as a result of a determination or payments erroneously or incorrectly paid or paid as a result of a determination of eligibility that is subsequently reversed. Any benefit payments described in this paragraph that are subsequently recovered by the Employment Department will be credited on a pro rata basis to the account of the employer that reimbursed the fund for such benefits.

(c) Payment of any bill rendered under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be made not later than the last day of the month immediately following the month in which such bill was mailed to the last-known address of the employer or was otherwise delivered to it. The director may assess a nonprofit employing unit or an Indian tribe for past due taxes and such assessment shall be subject to the same interest, penalties, enforcement, appeal and any other provisions of this chapter that apply to taxes assessed pursuant to ORS 657.681 (Computation and assessment of employer contributions and interest) .

(d) If a nonprofit employing unit is delinquent in making reimbursement payments as required under this section, the director may terminate the nonprofit employing unit’s election and the nonprofit employing unit must pay taxes for two calendar years before it is again eligible for election of reimbursement. Any employer whose election is terminated under provisions of this subsection shall remain liable for reimbursement payments for any benefits paid based on wages received prior to the effective date of termination of the election.

(e) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) If an Indian tribe fails to make reimbursement payments as required under this section, including assessments of interest and penalties, within 90 days of receipt of the delinquency or bill, the director shall terminate the Indian tribe’s election and the Indian tribe must pay taxes for two calendar years before it is again eligible for election of reimbursement. Any employer whose election is terminated under the provisions of this subsection remains liable for reimbursement payments for any benefits paid based on wages received before the effective date of termination of the election.

(B) Services performed for an Indian tribe may not be treated as employment for purposes of this chapter if, after all collection activities considered necessary by the director have been exhausted, the Indian tribe or any unit of the Indian tribe fails to make required payments, including contributions, reimbursement payments and assessments of interest and penalties.

(C) Services performed for an Indian tribe that has lost coverage under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph may be treated as employment for purposes of this chapter if the Indian tribe makes all required payments, including contributions, reimbursement payments and assessments of interest and penalties.

(D) For purposes of this section, an Indian tribe and any units of the Indian tribe that separately elect coverage are jointly and severally liable for all required payments, including contributions, reimbursement payments and assessments of interest and penalties.

(E) The director shall notify the United States Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Labor if an Indian tribe fails to make payments required under this section, including assessments of interest and penalties, within 90 days of receipt of a final notice of assessment.

(9) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (5), (6), (7) and (8) of this section, each employing unit that is required to make payments in lieu of taxes or has elected to make reimbursement payments may request permission to make advance or budget payments in accordance with rules adopted by the director.

(10) Two or more employers that have become liable for payments in lieu of taxes or reimbursement payments, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (5), (6) and (7) of this section, may file a joint application to the director for the establishment of a group account for the purpose of sharing the cost of benefits paid that are attributable to service in the employ of such employers. Each application shall identify and authorize a group representative to act as the group’s agent for the purpose of this subsection. Upon the approval of the director of the application, the director shall establish a group account for such employers effective as of the beginning of the calendar quarter in which the director receives the application and shall notify the group’s agent of the effective date of the account. Such account shall remain in effect for not less than two years and thereafter until terminated at the discretion of the director or upon application by the group. Upon establishment of the account, each member of the group shall be liable for payments with respect to each calendar quarter in the amount that bears the same ratio to the total benefits paid in such quarter that are attributable to service performed in the employ of all members of the group. The director shall prescribe such rules as the director deems necessary with respect to application for establishment, maintenance and termination of group accounts. This subsection shall not be construed to make such agent the employer of such workers, or relieve any employer of the obligations of the employer to comply with the terms of this chapter, except to the extent that such obligations are discharged by such agent as provided thereunder. [Amended by 1957 c.682 §6; 1971 c.463 §18; 1973 c.118 §2; 1977 c.446 §7; 1989 c.329 §4; 1989 c.609 §3; 1991 c.67 §161; 1991 c.331 §96; 1997 c.631 §516; 2001 c.572 §12; 2003 c.401 §1; 2005 c.218 §15]

Source: Section 657.505 — Payment of and liability for taxes; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.025 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.025
656.025 Individuals engaged in commuter ridesharing not subject workers
Status: in_force

(1) For the purpose of this chapter, an individual is not a subject worker while commuting in a voluntary commuter ridesharing arrangement unless:

(a) The worker is reimbursed for travel expenses incurred therein;

(b) The worker receives payment for commuting time from the employer; or

(c) The employer makes an election to provide coverage for the worker pursuant to ORS 656.039 (Election of coverage for workers not subject to law) .

(2) As used in this section “voluntary commuter ridesharing arrangement” means a carpool or vanpool arrangement in which participation is not required as a condition of employment and in which not more than 15 persons are transported to and from their places of employment, in a single daily round trip where the driver also is on the way to or from the driver’s place of employment. [1981 c.227 §4]

Source: Section 656.025 — Individuals engaged in commuter ridesharing not subject workers; conditions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.450 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.450
653.450 Employee right to input into work schedule
Status: in_force

(1) At time of hire and during employment, an employee may identify any limitations or changes in the employee’s work schedule availability, including but not limited to child care needs. The employee may also request not to be scheduled for work shifts during certain times or at certain locations.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) An employer may require the employee to provide reasonable verification of the need for a request made under subsection (1) of this section.

(b) The employer shall pay any reasonable costs for providing verification that is medical verification required under this subsection, including lost wages, that are not paid under a health benefit plan in which the employee is enrolled.

(c) Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit the application of ORS 659A.306 (Requiring employee to pay for medical examination as condition of continued employment prohibited) .

(3) An employer may not retaliate against an employee for making a request under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) An employer is under no obligation to grant an employee’s request under subsection (1) of this section. [2017 c.691 §6a; 2021 c.176 §1]

Note: See note under 653.412 (Definitions) .

Source: Section 653.450 — Employee right to input into work schedule , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.015 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.015
653.015 Statement of policy
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the policy of the State of Oregon to establish minimum wage standards for workers at levels consistent with their health, efficiency and general well-being. [1967 c.596 §1]

Source: Section 653.015 — Statement of policy , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.170 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.170
654.170 Stairway railings and guards not required for certain public and historic buildings
Status: in_force

Nothing in ORS 654.001 (Short title) to 654.295 (Application of Oregon Safe Employment Act) , 654.412 (Definitions for ORS 654.412 to 654.423) to 654.423 (Use of physical force by health care employee in self-defense against assault) and 654.750 (Definitions for ORS 654.750 to 654.780) to 654.780 (Providing basic information to employees) requires the installation of railings or guards on exterior stairways providing access to and egress from the State Capitol Building or the grand staircases to the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives in the rotunda of the State Capitol Building or any staircase in any public monument or memorial or building of historic significance. [1977 c.780 §2]

Source: Section 654.170 — Stairway railings and guards not required for certain public and historic buildings , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.610 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.610
657.610 Director
Status: in_force

The Director of the Employment Department may:

(1) For purposes of administration and control, and with the approval of the Governor, organize and reorganize the department in whatever manner the director considers appropriate to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the department.

(2) Appoint all subordinate officers and employees of the department, whether classified or unclassified, and prescribe their duties and compensation, subject to applicable provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law.

(3) Delegate to departmental officers and employees such responsibility and authority as the director determines necessary.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Determine all questions of general policy for this chapter;

(b) Adopt rules for this chapter; and

(c) Administer and enforce this chapter.

(5) Sue and be sued in the name of the director, and shall have a seal bearing the name of the Employment Department.

(6) Adopt proper rules to regulate the mode and manner of all investigations.

(7) Prescribe the time, place and manner of making claims for benefits under this chapter, the kind and character of notices required thereunder and the procedure for investigating and deciding claims.

(8) Enter into contracts relating to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act deemed necessary by the director to fulfill the mission of the department. The director may enter into contracts with other states or governments, public bodies or persons to provide or receive services. Contracts entered into by the director shall be executed in the name of the state, by and through the Employment Department. [Amended by 1959 c.583 §23; 1969 c.597 §180; 1983 c.522 §7; 1993 c.344 §6; 1999 c.849 §§137,138; 2001 c.684 §§32,33; 2003 c.75 §52; 2003 c.199 §§1,2; 2015 c.27 §58; 2017 c.185 §17; 2017 c.297 §38]

Source: Section 657.610 — Director; powers and duties generally; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 658.800 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 658 / Section 658.800
658.800 Service of process on unregistered farmworker camp operator
Status: in_force

In any action arising out of the activities of a farmworker camp operator who is operating an unregistered farmworker camp within this state and who is not in the state or is otherwise unavailable to accept service of process in this state, the farmworker camp operator may be served by mailing a certified true copy of the summons and complaint to:

(1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries;

(2) The last-known address, if any, of the farmworker camp operator; and

(3) Any other address, the use of which the plaintiff knows or, on the basis of reasonable inquiry, has reason to believe is most likely to result in actual notice. [2007 c.91 §2]

Source: Section 658.800 — Service of process on unregistered farmworker camp operator , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors658.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.071 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.071
654.071 Citation for safety or health standard violations
Status: in_force

(1) If the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services or an authorized representative of the director has reason to believe, after inspection or investigation of a place of employment, that an employer has violated any state occupational safety or health law, regulation, standard, rule or order, the director or the authorized representative shall with reasonable promptness issue to such employer a citation, and notice of proposed civil penalty, if any, to be assessed under this chapter, and fix a reasonable time for correction of the alleged violation.

(2) Each citation and notice required by subsection (1) of this section shall be in writing, shall be mailed to or served upon the employer or a registered agent of the employer, and shall contain:

(a) The date and place of the alleged violation;

(b) A plain statement of the facts upon which the citation is based;

(c) A reference to the law, regulation, rule, standard or order relied upon;

(d) The amount, if any, of the proposed civil penalty;

(e) The time, if any, fixed for the correction of the alleged violation;

(f) Notice of the employer’s right to contest the citation, the proposed civil penalty and the period of time fixed for correction of the alleged violation; and

(g) Notice of any affected employee’s right to contest the period of time fixed for correction of the alleged violation.

(3) No citation or notice of proposed civil penalty may be issued under this section after the expiration of 180 days following the start of the inspection or investigation, but this shall not prevent the issuance, at any time, of an order to correct that violation or the issuance of a citation for a subsequent violation.

(4) If the director has reason to believe that an employer has failed to correct a violation within the period of time fixed for correction, or within the time fixed in a subsequent order granting an extension of time to correct the violation, the director shall consider such failure as a separate and continuing violation and shall issue a citation and notice of proposed civil penalty, if any, to be assessed pursuant to ORS 654.086 (Civil penalty for violations) (1)(d).

(5) The director may prescribe procedures for the issuance of a notice in lieu of citation to inform an employer and employees of a minimal violation that has no direct or immediate relationship to occupational safety or health.

(6) Each citation and notice, or copies thereof, issued under ORS 654.001 (Short title) to 654.295 (Application of Oregon Safe Employment Act) , 654.412 (Definitions for ORS 654.412 to 654.423) to 654.423 (Use of physical force by health care employee in self-defense against assault) and 654.750 (Definitions for ORS 654.750 to 654.780) to 654.780 (Providing basic information to employees) shall be posted by the employer, immediately upon receipt, in a conspicuous manner in a sufficient number of locations in the place or places of employment to reasonably inform employees of such citation and notice.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the director or authorized representative of the director shall deliver to the operator of a farm labor camp a copy of any notice, evaluation report or citation resulting from the inspection. [1973 c.833 §17; 1981 c.696 §4; 1999 c.72 §1; 1999 c.1017 §4]

Source: Section 654.071 — Citation for safety or health standard violations; effect of failure to correct violation; posting of citations and notices by employer , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 660.343 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 660 / Section 660.343
660.343 Oregon National Career Readiness Certification Program
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission the Oregon National Career Readiness Certification Program to certify the workplace and college readiness skills of Oregonians and to better prepare Oregonians for continued education and workforce training, successful employment and career advancement in a demand-driven, skills-based economy.

(2) Program services may be offered through public high schools, community colleges, local and regional career centers and any other institutions determined to be appropriate by the commission to residents of Oregon and to employees of businesses located in Oregon.

(3) Services provided by the program shall include, but are not limited to:

(a) An assessment process that identifies the proficiency level of program participants in work-ready skills including, but not limited to, reading, applied mathematics, locating information and any additional skills determined by the commission to be necessary to meet business and industry skill demands;

(b) Targeted instruction and remedial skills training to provide work-ready skills in which program participants are not proficient, as determined by the assessment process described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, and that have been identified by the commission as work-ready skills required by local employers;

(c) Issuance of a National Career Readiness Certificate to program participants who demonstrate proficiency in work-ready skills, as determined by the assessment process described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, and who satisfy any other requirements for certification adopted by the commission by rule;

(d) Providing information to school districts, community colleges and community college service districts about the National Career Readiness Certificate and the assessments, targeted instruction and remedial skills training available through the program; and

(e) An online database that:

(A) Serves as the repository for National Career Readiness Certificate attainment data.

(B) Provides online access to program data that enables employers to determine the work skill proficiency level of individual program participants and to locate certified individuals on a statewide or regional basis.

(C) Provides individual program participants the opportunity for career exploration, continuing education, job readiness practice and job searches.

(D) Provides individual program participants the opportunity to opt out of the database in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.

(4) The commission, after consultation with the State Workforce and Talent Development Board and the Department of Education, shall adopt rules for the implementation and administration of the program created under subsection (1) of this section.

(5) By September 1 of each year, school districts, community colleges and community college service districts shall report to the commission the rate of participation in and the total number of students enrolled in the district or community college who utilized the services provided by the program in the most recently concluded school year.

(6) The commission shall submit a report on program outcomes and recommendations for improving and funding the program to the appropriate interim legislative committees and to the Governor by January 1 of each year. The report shall include a summary of the information required under subsection (5) of this section. [2009 c.836 §2; 2011 c.148 §1; 2013 c.747 §192; 2015 c.366 §63; 2017 c.185 §36; 2017 c.297 §14; 2021 c.100 §15]

Source: Section 660.343 — Oregon National Career Readiness Certification Program; rules; annual report , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors660.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 658.115 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 658 / Section 658.115
658.115 Civil penalties
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 against any person, firm, organization, limited liability company or corporation that has violated any provisions of ORS 658.005 (Definitions for ORS 658.005 to 658.245) to 658.245 (Actions upon agency bonds or letters of credit) or 658.250 (Employment listing service) or the rules adopted pursuant thereto.

(2) Civil penalties under this section shall be imposed as provided in ORS 183.745 (Civil penalty procedures) .

(3) All penalties recovered under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund and are available for general governmental expenses. [1961 c.380 §11; 1973 c.678 §11; 1975 c.144 §5; 1981 c.318 §14; 1997 c.55 §7; 2003 c.406 §3]

Source: Section 658.115 — Civil penalties , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors658.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.552 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.552
657.552 Limitations on notices of assessment and on actions to collect contributions, interest and penalties
Status: in_force

(1) Except in the case of failure without good cause to file a return, fraud or intent to evade any provision of this chapter or authorized rules, every notice of assessment shall be given within four years after the last day of the month following the close of the calendar quarter during which the contribution liability included in the assessment accrued. An employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) may waive this limitation period or may consent to its extension.

(2) In case of failure without good cause to file a return, every notice of assessment shall be given within eight years after the last day of the month following the close of the calendar quarter during which the contribution liability included in the assessment accrued. An employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) may waive this limitation period or may consent to its extension.

(3) An action or suit may not be commenced to collect any amount of contributions, interest or penalties due under assessment unless such action or suit is commenced within three years from the date of the assessment, except in the case of fraud or intent to evade any provision of this chapter or authorized regulations, an action or suit may be commenced at any time.

(4) If the cause of action or suit accrues or has accrued against any employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) who is out of the state or concealed therein, such action or suit may be commenced within three years after the return of the employer or person into the state, or the time of the concealment of the employer or person has ended. [1963 c.354 §5 ( 657.552 (Limitations on notices of assessment and on actions to collect contributions, interest and penalties) , 657.652 (Certificate as evidence in proceeding) , 657.679 (Determination that employing unit or employment is subject to this chapter) , 657.681 (Computation and assessment of employer contributions and interest) and 657.683 (Hearings on actions under ORS 657.480, 657.679, 657.681 and 657.682) enacted in lieu of 657.472, 657.512, 657.550 and 657.672); 2003 c.14 §405; 2009 c.79 §4]

Source: Section 657.552 — Limitations on notices of assessment and on actions to collect contributions, interest and penalties , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.508 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.508
656.508 Authority to fix premium rates for employers
Status: in_force

(1) The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation shall classify occupations or industries with respect to their degree of hazard and fix premium rates upon each of the occupations or industries sufficient to provide adequate funds to carry out the purposes of this chapter and the duties of the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation.

(2) The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation may annually, and at such other times as it deems necessary, readjust, increase or decrease the premium rates of employers insured with the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation. Any such readjustment, increase or decrease shall be made and become effective on such dates as the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation may determine. The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation shall notify the employer of the rate.

(3) The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation may establish a uniform system of rate modification conforming to recognized insurance principles including schedule rating and experience rating, premium discount and retrospective rating. [Amended by 1957 c.41 §1; 1957 c.386 §1; 1963 c.587 §1; 1965 c.285 §71; 1977 c.405 §8; 1981 c.854 §35]

Source: Section 656.508 — Authority to fix premium rates for employers , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.815 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.815
657.815 Unemployment Compensation Benefit Fund
Status: in_force

(1) There is created, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Fund. Such fund shall consist of all amounts withdrawn from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund, upon requisition of the Director of the Employment Department, except as provided in ORS 657.812 (Use of moneys credited to Unemployment Trust Fund by Secretary of the Treasury) .

(2) This fund shall be used solely in the payment of benefits under this chapter, exclusive of administration, and in the payment of unemployment insurance under any agreement with another governmental agency whereby the latter will reimburse the fund for such expenditure; provided that such use shall be consistent with the Federal Unemployment Tax Act.

(3) The Unemployment Compensation Benefit Fund shall be the sole and exclusive source for the payment of benefits payable under this chapter. Such benefits shall be deemed to be due and payable only to the extent that contributions, with increments thereon, actually collected and credited to the fund are available therefor.

(4) The Unemployment Compensation Benefit Fund shall be held and administered by the State Treasurer in the same manner as provided in ORS 657.830 (State Treasurer as custodian of funds) (1). Interest earned on the fund shall be credited to the fund. [Amended by 1957 c.609 §2; 1959 c.604 §2; 1995 c.37 §3]

Source: Section 657.815 — Unemployment Compensation Benefit Fund , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.990 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.990
656.990 Penalties
Status: in_force

(1) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement or representation to the Workers’ Compensation Board or its employees, the Workers’ Compensation Board chairperson, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services or employees of the director, the insurer or self-insured employer for the purpose of obtaining any benefit or payment under this chapter, either for self or any other person, or who knowingly misrepresents to the board, the board chairperson, the director or the corporation or any of their representatives the amount of a payroll, or who knowingly submits a false payroll report to the board, the board chairperson, the director or the corporation, commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(2) Violation of ORS 656.052 (Prohibition against employment without coverage) is a Class D violation. Each day during which an employer engages in any subject occupation in violation of ORS 656.052 (Prohibition against employment without coverage) constitutes a separate offense.

(3) Violation of ORS 656.056 (Subject employers must post notice of manner of compliance) is a Class D violation.

(4) The individual refusing to keep the payroll in accordance with ORS 656.726 (Duties and powers to carry out workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws) or 656.758 (Inspection of books, records and payrolls) when demanded by the director or corporation commits a Class C misdemeanor.

(5) Failure on the part of an employer to send the signed payroll statement required by ORS 656.504 (Rates, charges, fees and reports by employers insured by State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation) within 30 days after receipt of notice by the director or corporation is a Class A misdemeanor.

(6) Violation of ORS 656.560 (Default in payment of premiums, fees, assessments or deposit) (4) is a Class D violation. [Amended by 1959 c.450 §9; 1965 c.285 §93; 1977 c.804 §33; 1981 c.535 §48; 1981 c.854 §56; 1985 c.770 §9; 1990 c.2 §44; 1999 c.876 §10; 1999 c.1051 §216; 2011 c.597 §268]

Source: Section 656.990 — Penalties , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.750 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.750
654.750 Definitions for ORS 654.750 to 654.780
Status: in_force

As used in this section and ORS 654.760 (Rules on hazardous chemicals, safety equipment and training) , 654.770 (Basic information available to agricultural employers for employees) and 654.780 (Providing basic information to employees) , unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Employee” means any individual, whether lawfully or unlawfully employed, who engages to furnish services for a remuneration, financial or otherwise, subject to the direction and control of an employer.

(2) “Employer” means any person engaged in agriculture who engages one or more employees.

(3) “Hazardous chemical” means any chemical which is a physical or health hazard.

(4) “Health hazard” means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence, based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles, that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The term “health hazard” includes chemicals which are carcinogenic, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

(5) “Physical hazard” means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable or water-reactive compound. [1987 c.832 §2]

Source: Section 654.750 — Definitions for ORS 654.750 to 654.780 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.720 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.720
656.720 Prosecution and defense of actions by Attorney General and district attorneys
Status: in_force

Upon request of the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services the Attorney General or, under direction of the Attorney General, the district attorney of any county, shall institute or prosecute actions or proceedings for the enforcement of this chapter, when such actions or proceedings are within the county in which such district attorney was elected, and shall defend in like manner all suits, actions and proceedings brought against the Department of Consumer and Business Services or its employees in their official capacity. [Formerly 656.586; 1971 c.418 §18; 1977 c.804 §28]

Source: Section 656.720 — Prosecution and defense of actions by Attorney General and district attorneys , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659.825 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659 / Section 659.825
659.825 Employer failing to make agreed payments to employee benefit fund
Status: in_force

Whenever an employer has agreed in writing with any employee to make payments to a health and welfare, dental, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and industry fund or any other such plan for the benefit of the employees, or has entered into a collective bargaining agreement providing for such payments, it shall be unlawful for such an employer willfully or with intent to defraud to fail to make the payments required by the terms of any such agreement. [Formerly 659.320]

Source: Section 659.825 — Employer failing to make agreed payments to employee benefit fund , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.553 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.553
653.553 Short title
Status: in_force

ORS 653.547 (Definitions) to 653.551 (Unlawful employment discrimination) may be referred to as the Domestic Workers’ Protection Act. [2015 c.457 §4]

Note: See note under 653.547 (Definitions) .

Source: Section 653.553 — Short title , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.681 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.681
657.681 Computation and assessment of employer contributions and interest
Status: in_force

(1) If an employer files a report for the purpose of determining the amount of contributions due under this chapter but fails to pay contributions or interest, the Director of the Employment Department or authorized representative may assess the amount of contributions or interest due on the basis of the information submitted and shall give written notice of the assessment to the employer mailed to the employer’s last-known address of record with the director. In the event that such report is subsequently found to be incorrect additional assessments may be made, subsection (5) of this section to the contrary notwithstanding.

(2) If an employer fails to file a report when required by the director for the purpose of determining the amount of contribution due under this chapter, the director or authorized representative may make an estimate based upon any information of the amount of wages paid for employment in the period or periods for which no report was filed and upon the basis of such estimate shall compute and assess the amount of employer contributions payable by the employer. Written notice of the assessment to the employer shall be mailed to the employer’s last-known address of record with the director.

(3) If the director or authorized representative is not satisfied with a report made by an employer for the purpose of determining the amount of contribution due under this chapter, the director or authorized representative may compute the amount required to be paid upon the basis of facts contained in the report or upon the basis of any information obtainable and may make an assessment of the amount of the deficiency. Written notice of such deficiency assessment to the employer shall be mailed to the employer’s last-known address of record with the director.

(4) If the director or authorized representative has reason to believe that an employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) is insolvent, or that the collection of any contributions will be jeopardized by delaying collection, the director or authorized representative may thereupon make an immediate assessment of the estimated amount of accrued contributions, noting upon the assessment that it is a jeopardy assessment levied under this subsection, and may proceed to enforce collection immediately, but interest shall not begin to accrue upon such contributions until the due date nor shall court costs be taxed against such employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) on any action to enforce collection commenced prior to the due date. The director or authorized representative may, in levying the assessment, demand a bond or deposit of such security as is necessary to ensure collection of the amount of such assessment. Written notice of the assessment to the employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) shall be mailed to the employer’s or person’s last-known address of record with the director.

(5) All assessments provided for in this section shall finally fix the amount of contributions due and payable unless the employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) shall within 20 days after the mailing of the notice of assessment apply to the director for a hearing, or unless the director or authorized representative on the motion of the director or authorized representative reviews the same prior to a decision of the administrative law judge thereon pursuant to hearing. An employer or person liable under ORS 657.516 (Liability of certain officers, members, partners and employees for amounts in default) who fails to apply for a hearing upon an assessment within the time provided or, having applied, fails to appear and be heard after due notice of such hearing, shall be precluded from raising any defense to any action, suit or proceeding brought by the director for the recovery of contributions based upon such assessment which could have been raised in the hearing. The amount of contributions so assessed under this section shall be subject to the penalties and interest provided by ORS 657.515 (Delinquent taxes) and 657.663 (Penalty for failure by employer to file reports) . [1963 c.354 §3 ( 657.552 (Limitations on notices of assessment and on actions to collect contributions, interest and penalties) , 657.652 (Certificate as evidence in proceeding) , 657.679 (Determination that employing unit or employment is subject to this chapter) , 657.681 (Computation and assessment of employer contributions and interest) and 657.683 (Hearings on actions under ORS 657.480, 657.679, 657.681 and 657.682) enacted in lieu of 657.472, 657.512, 657.550 and 657.672); 1981 c.563 §1; 1999 c.849 §148; 2003 c.75 §105; 2009 c.79 §5]

Source: Section 657.681 — Computation and assessment of employer contributions and interest; jeopardy assessments; application for hearing , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 652.390 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 652 / Section 652.390
652.390 Deduction of costs from wage claims
Status: in_force

(1) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may deduct and retain any moneys collected on each wage claim as costs, attorney fees or commissioner’s penalties. The amount deducted shall be paid into the General Fund after deducting actual costs and disbursements incurred in the prosecution of the wage claim.

(2) The commissioner may charge a claimant or respondent on a wage claim for which the commissioner has obtained a judgment the actual collection fees charged to the Bureau of Labor and Industries by any other governmental agency assisting in the collection of the judgment.

(3) The commissioner is authorized to assign wage claim judgments and orders issued pursuant to ORS 652.332 (Administrative proceeding for wage claim collection) for collection or to obtain assistance in collection of such judgments and orders and may deduct and pay out from any moneys so collected a collection fee. [Amended by 1957 c.465 §7; 1967 c.218 §2; 1983 c.427 §1; 1995 c.82 §2; 2003 c.14 §394; 2009 c.162 §1]

Source: Section 652.390 — Deduction of costs from wage claims; collection fees; assignment of wage claims , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors652.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.890 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.890
659A.890 Civil action for violation of ORS 659A.865
Status: in_force

(1) Any person aggrieved by a violation of ORS 659A.865 (Retaliatory action prohibited) may bring a civil action in the manner provided by ORS 659A.885 (Civil action) (3) and recover the same relief as provided by ORS 659A.885 (Civil action) (3) for unlawful practices.

(2) As a defense to any cause of action arising under this section, the defendant may plead and prove that either:

(a) Subsequent to the defendant’s conduct on which the plaintiff bases the cause of action, the complaint under ORS 659A.820 (Complaints) has been dismissed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries or deputy, or the court, either for want of evidence to proceed to a hearing or for lack of merit after such hearing; or

(b) In the case of the sale of real property, defendant’s conduct giving rise to plaintiff’s cause of action was neither committed within the first two years after notice by the commissioner or deputy of the filing of the complaint under ORS 659A.820 (Complaints) , nor within any extended period of time obtained at the request of respondent for disposition of the case. [Formerly 659.105]

Source: Section 659A.890 — Civil action for violation of ORS 659A.865 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 659a.174 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 659a / Section 659a.174
659A.174 Use of paid leave
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, and unless otherwise provided by the terms of an agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer, a collective bargaining agreement or an employer policy, family leave is not required to be granted with pay.

(2) An employee taking family leave is entitled to use any paid accrued sick leave or any paid accrued vacation leave during the period of family leave, or to use any other paid leave that is offered by the employer in lieu of vacation leave during the period of family leave.

(3) Subject to the terms of any agreement between the eligible employee and the covered employer or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, the employer may determine the particular order in which accrued leave is to be used in circumstances in which more than one type of accrued leave is available to the employee. [Formerly 659.486; 2007 c.635 §1]

Source: Section 659A.174 — Use of paid leave , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors659A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 663.240 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 663 / Section 663.240
663.240 Priority of hearing certain unfair labor practice cases
Status: in_force

If it is charged that a person has engaged in an unfair labor practice within the meaning of ORS 663.125 (Other employer unfair labor practices) or 663.130 (Union unfair labor practices) (1), the charge shall be given priority over all other cases except cases of like character where it is filed or referred and cases given priority under ORS 663.250 (Priority of investigating certain unfair labor practice charges) , 663.255 (Injunctive relief without notice) and 663.260 (Service of process on union) . [1971 c.729 §32]

Source: Section 663.240 — Priority of hearing certain unfair labor practice cases , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors663.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.070 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.070
653.070 Student-learners special wage
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Bona fide professional training program” includes any professional training program approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education which provides for part-time employment training which may be scheduled for a part of the workday or workweek, for alternating weeks or for other limited periods during the year, supplemented by and integrated with a definitely organized plan of instruction designed to teach technical knowledge and related information given as a regular part of the student-learner’s course by an accredited school, college or university.

(b) “Student-learner” means a student who is receiving instruction in an accredited school, college or university and who is employed on a part-time basis, pursuant to a bona fide professional training program.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 653.025 (Minimum wage rate) , employers shall pay student-learners at least 75 percent of the minimum wage prescribed by ORS 653.025 (Minimum wage rate) .

(3) The number of hours of employment training for a student-learner at subminimum wages, when added to the hours of school instruction, shall not exceed eight hours on any day or 40 hours in any week.

(4) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may adopt rules prescribing the procedures and requirements for application and issuance of special certificates authorizing the employment of student-learners at subminimum wages. The rules shall require that the following conditions be satisfied before the issuance of such special certificates:

(a) The employment of the student-learner at subminimum wages authorized by the special certificate must be necessary to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment.

(b) The occupation for which the student-learner is receiving preparatory training must require a sufficient degree of skill to necessitate a substantial learning period.

(c) The training must not be for the purpose of acquiring manual dexterity and high production speed in repetitive operations.

(d) The employment of a student-learner must not have the effect of displacing a worker employed in the establishment.

(e) The employment of the student-learners at subminimum wages must not tend to impair or depress the wage rates or working standards established for experienced workers for work of a like or comparable character.

(f) The occupational needs of the community or industry warrant the training of student-learners.

(g) There are no serious outstanding violations of the provisions of a student-learner certificate previously issued to the employer, or serious violations of any other provisions of law by the employer which provide reasonable grounds to conclude that the terms of the certificate would not be complied with, if issued.

(h) The issuance of such a certificate would not tend to prevent the development of apprenticeship under ORS 660.002 (Declaration of policy) to 660.210 (Tort liability of committees, officers, employees and agents) or would not impair established apprenticeship standards in the occupation or industry involved.

(i) The number of student-learners to be employed in one establishment must not be more than a small proportion of its working force.

(5) Failure to comply with subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall subject the employer to a penalty of 75 percent of the minimum wage prescribed by ORS 653.025 (Minimum wage rate) for each hour of work time that the student-learner is gainfully employed. The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall have a cause of action against the employer for the recovery of the penalty. [1979 c.886 §5; 1981 c.850 §3; 1989 c.491 §62; 1995 c.343 §50]

Note: 653.070 (Student-learners special wage) was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 653 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 653.070 — Student-learners special wage; conditions; rules; penalties , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 663.045 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 663 / Section 663.045
663.045 Obtaining advisory opinions on assertion of federal jurisdiction
Status: in_force

(1) In carrying out this chapter, the Employment Relations Board may, pursuant to any applicable federal law, rule or regulation, petition the National Labor Relations Board for an advisory opinion as to whether that agency will assert jurisdiction over a labor dispute which is the subject of a proceeding then pending before the board.

(2) All findings, conclusions, and determinations of the board under this chapter shall be public records. [Formerly 662.595]

Source: Section 663.045 — Obtaining advisory opinions on assertion of federal jurisdiction; findings of board to be public records , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors663.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 652.332 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 652 / Section 652.332
652.332 Administrative proceeding for wage claim collection
Status: in_force

(1) In any case when the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries has received a wage claim complaint which the commissioner could seek to collect through court action, the commissioner may instead elect to seek collection of such claim through administrative proceedings in the manner provided in this section, subject to the employer’s right to request a trial in a court of law. The commissioner may join in a single administrative proceeding any number of wage claims against the same employer. Upon making such election, the commissioner shall serve upon the employer and the wage claimant an order of determination directing the employer to pay to the commissioner the amount of the wage claim and any penalty amounts under ORS 279C.855 (Liability for violations) (1), 652.150 (Penalty wage for failure to pay wages on termination of employment) and 653.055 (Liability of noncomplying employer) (1) determined to be owed the wage claimant. Service shall be made in the same manner as service of summons or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The order of determination shall include:

(a) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes or rules involved;

(b) A short and concise statement of the basis for the amounts determined to be owed to each wage claimant;

(c) A statement of the party’s right to request a contested case hearing and to be represented by counsel at such a hearing, and of the employer’s right to a trial in a court of law, provided that any request for a contested case hearing or trial in a court of law must be received by the commissioner in writing within 20 days after receipt by the party of the order of determination;

(d) A statement that the employer must, within 20 days after receipt of the order of determination, either pay in full the wage claim and any penalties assessed, or present to the commissioner a written request for a contested case hearing or a trial in a court of law as provided in this section;

(e) A statement that failure to make a written request to the commissioner for a contested case hearing or a trial of the claim in a court of law within the time specified shall constitute a waiver of the right thereto and a waiver of the right to a trial by jury;

(f) For an employer that is a contractor or business licensed under ORS chapter 701, a statement that failure to pay in full the wage claim and any penalties assessed within 60 days of the date that an order of determination becomes final under this section will result in notification to the Construction Contractors Board of such failure to pay and the suspension of the contractor’s or business’s license in accordance with ORS 701.110 (License suspension for unpaid determined wage claim) ; and

(g) A statement that unless the written requests provided for in paragraph (c) of this subsection are received by the commissioner within the time specified for making such requests, the order of determination shall become final.

(2) Upon failure of the employer to pay the amount specified in the order of determination or to request a trial in a court of law within the time specified, and upon failure of any party to request a contested case hearing within the time specified, the order of determination shall become final.

(3) If a party makes a timely request for a contested case hearing, a hearing shall be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS 183.415 (Notice of right to hearing) to 183.500 (Appeals) by the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee. The commissioner shall adopt rules for such hearing. In any hearing before the commissioner’s designee, the designee is authorized to issue the final order in the case. If the employer makes a timely request for a trial in a court of law, the commissioner may proceed against the employer as provided in ORS 652.330 (Powers and duties of commissioner in enforcing wage claims) (1)(b).

(4) Final administrative orders issued in a wage claim proceeding are subject to review by the Court of Appeals as provided in ORS 183.480 (Judicial review of agency orders) and 183.482 (Jurisdiction for review of contested cases) .

(5) When an order issued under this section becomes final, it may be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record in any county of this state. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, recording an order in the County Clerk Lien Record pursuant to the provisions of this section has the effect provided for in ORS 205.125 (County Clerk Lien Record) and 205.126 (Enforcement of order or warrant recorded in County Clerk Lien Record) , and the order may be enforced as provided in ORS 205.125 (County Clerk Lien Record) and 205.126 (Enforcement of order or warrant recorded in County Clerk Lien Record) .

(6) Where the wage claim arose out of work performed by the claimant for the employer on any public works project to which ORS 279C.830 (Provisions concerning prevailing rate of wage in specifications, contracts and subcontracts) or 279C.840 (Payment of prevailing rate of wage) applies, and a state agency holds sufficient funds as retainage on such project to pay such claim or any portion thereof, the state agency may, at the request of the commissioner, pay to the commissioner from the retainage all or part of the amount due on the claim under the final order. [1979 c.695 §4; 1981 c.594 §3; 1989 c.706 §19; 1995 c.82 §1; 1997 c.387 §6; 2003 c.794 §309; 2019 c.444 §3]

Source: Section 652.332 — Administrative proceeding for wage claim collection; court enforcement and review; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors652.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.218 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.218
656.218 Continuance of permanent partial disability payments to survivors
Status: in_force

(1) In case of the death of a worker entitled to compensation, whether eligibility therefor or the amount thereof has been determined, payments shall be made for the period during which the worker, if surviving, would have been entitled thereto.

(2) If the worker’s death occurs prior to issuance of a notice of closure under ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) , the insurer or the self-insured employer shall determine compensation for permanent partial disability, if any.

(3) If the worker has filed a request for hearing pursuant to ORS 656.283 (Hearing rights and procedure) or a request for reconsideration pursuant to ORS 656.268 (Claim closure) and death occurs prior to the final disposition of the request, the persons described in subsection (5) of this section shall be entitled to pursue the matter to final determination of all issues presented by the request.

(4) If the worker dies before filing a request for hearing or a request for reconsideration, the persons described in subsection (5) of this section shall be entitled to file a request for hearing or a request for reconsideration and to pursue the matter to final determination as to all issues presented by the request.

(5) The payments provided in this section shall be made to the persons who would have been entitled to receive death benefits if the injury causing the disability had been fatal. In the absence of persons so entitled, the unpaid balance of the award shall be paid to the worker’s estate.

(6) This section does not entitle any person to double payments on account of the death of a worker and a continuation of payments for permanent partial disability, or to a greater sum in the aggregate than if the injury had been fatal. [Amended by 1959 c.450 §3; 1973 c.355 §1; 1975 c.497 §3; 1981 c.854 §11; 1987 c.884 §16; 1999 c.313 §4; 2009 c.171 §2; 2015 c.144 §2]

Source: Section 656.218 — Continuance of permanent partial disability payments to survivors; effect of death prior to final claim disposition , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.008 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.008
656.008 Extension of laws relating to workers’ compensation to federal lands and projects within state
Status: in_force

Where not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, the laws of this state relating to workers’ compensation and the duties and powers of the Department of Consumer and Business Services hereby are extended to all lands and premises owned or held by the United States of America by deed or act of cession, by purchase or otherwise, which are within the exterior boundaries of the State of Oregon and to all projects, buildings, constructions, improvements and all property belonging to the United States within the exterior boundaries of the State of Oregon in the same way and to the same extent as if said premises and property were under the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Oregon. [Amended by 1977 c.804 §2]

Source: Section 656.008 — Extension of laws relating to workers’ compensation to federal lands and projects within state , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 662.060 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 662 / Section 662.060
662.060 Restrictions on injunctions to prohibit doing in concert acts enumerated in ORS 662.050
Status: in_force

No court, nor any judge thereof, shall have jurisdiction to issue a restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction upon the ground that any of the persons participating or interested in a labor dispute constitute or are engaged in an unlawful combination or conspiracy because of the doing in concert of the acts enumerated in ORS 662.050 (Specific acts that are not enjoinable) .

Source: Section 662.060 — Restrictions on injunctions to prohibit doing in concert acts enumerated in ORS 662.050 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors662.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 654.315 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 654 / Section 654.315
654.315 Persons in charge of work to see that ORS 654.305 to 654.336 are complied with
Status: in_force

The owners, contractors, subcontractors, foremen, architects or other persons having charge of the particular work, shall see that the requirements of ORS 654.305 (Protection and safety of persons in hazardous employment generally) to 654.336 (Comparative negligence) are complied with.

Source: Section 654.315 — Persons in charge of work to see that ORS 654.305 to 654.336 are complied with , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 656.780 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 656 / Section 656.780
656.780 Certification and training of claims examiners
Status: in_force

(1) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services shall:

(a) Adopt by rule standards for certification of workers’ compensation claims examiners that shall be administered by workers’ compensation insurers, self-insured employers and service companies; and

(b) Develop or approve any training curriculum used by insurers, self-insured employers and service companies that is related to interactions with independent medical examination providers required under ORS 656.325 (Required medical examination) .

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Each insurer, self-insured employer and service company shall maintain records of the certification and training of their workers’ compensation claims examiners. These records are subject to inspection and review by the director.

(b) The director may impose a civil penalty against any insurer, self-insured employer or service company that fails to:

(A) Maintain or produce certification and training records as required by the rules of the director; or

(B) Provide training based on a curriculum approved by the director related to interactions with independent medical examination providers required under ORS 656.325 (Required medical examination) .

(3) Insurers, self-insured employers and service companies may employ only certified workers’ compensation claims examiners to process workers’ compensation claims. The director may impose a civil penalty against any insurer, self-insured employer or service company that violates this subsection. [1990 c.2 §52; 1999 c.418 §1; 2005 c.675 §3; 2015 c.194 §2]

Source: Section 656.780 — Certification and training of claims examiners; records of certification and training of examiners; department inspection of records; penalties; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors656.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 652.755 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 652 / Section 652.755
652.755 Rules regarding notice to employees about state and federal earned income tax credits
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, “employer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 652.210 (Definitions for ORS 652.210 to 652.235) .

(2) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall adopt rules, in collaboration with business representatives and with groups that advocate for low income people, to require employers to provide written notice to each employee about the state and federal earned income tax credits. The notice must:

(a) Be in English and in the language the employer typically uses to communicate with the employee.

(b) Be sent annually with the employee’s federal form W-2.

(c) Provide website addresses for the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Revenue where the employee can find information about the state and federal earned income tax credits.

(3) The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall include, in any poster regarding the state minimum wage, notice to employees about the state and federal earned income tax credits. [2017 c.333 §1]

Note: 652.755 (Rules regarding notice to employees about state and federal earned income tax credits) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 652 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 652.755 — Rules regarding notice to employees about state and federal earned income tax credits , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors652.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.055 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.055
653.055 Liability of noncomplying employer
Status: in_force

(1) Any employer who pays an employee less than the wages to which the employee is entitled under ORS 653.010 (Definitions for ORS 653.010 to 653.261) to 653.261 (Minimum employment conditions) or 653.272 (Overtime requirements for agricultural workers) is liable to the employee affected:

(a) For the full amount of the wages, less any amount actually paid to the employee by the employer; and

(b) For civil penalties provided in ORS 652.150 (Penalty wage for failure to pay wages on termination of employment) .

(2) Any agreement between an employee and an employer to work at less than the wage rate required by ORS 653.010 (Definitions for ORS 653.010 to 653.261) to 653.261 (Minimum employment conditions) or 653.272 (Overtime requirements for agricultural workers) is no defense to an action under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries has the same powers and duties in connection with a wage claim based on ORS 653.010 (Definitions for ORS 653.010 to 653.261) to 653.261 (Minimum employment conditions) and 653.272 (Overtime requirements for agricultural workers) as the commissioner has under ORS 652.310 (Definitions of employer and employee) to 652.445 (Deposit of moneys in Wage Collection Account) and in addition the commissioner may, without the necessity of assignments of wage claims from employees, initiate suits against employers to enjoin future failures to pay required minimum wages or overtime pay and to require the payment of minimum wages and overtime pay due employees but not paid as of the time of the filing of suit. The commissioner may join in a single proceeding and in one cause of suit any number of wage claims against the same employer. If the commissioner does not prevail in such action, the commissioner shall pay all costs and disbursements from the Bureau of Labor and Industries Account.

(4) The court may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any action brought by an employee under this section. [1967 c.596 §11; 1977 c.513 §1; 1981 c.850 §2; 1981 c.897 §90; 1985 c.99 §7; 1995 c.618 §111; 2022 c.115 §5]

Source: Section 653.055 — Liability of noncomplying employer; contrary agreements no defense; wage claims; suits to enjoin future violations; attorney fees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.100 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.100
657.100 When individual deemed “unemployed”
Status: in_force

(1) An individual is deemed “unemployed” in any week during which the individual performs no services and with respect to which no remuneration for services performed is paid or payable to the individual, or in any week of less than full-time work if the remuneration paid or payable to the individual for services performed during the week is less than the individual’s weekly benefit amount.

(2) For the purposes of ORS 657.155 (Benefit eligibility conditions) (1), an individual who performs full-time services in any week for an employing unit is not unemployed even though remuneration is neither paid nor payable to the individual for the services performed; however, nothing in this subsection shall prevent an individual from meeting the definition of “unemployed” as used in this section solely by reason of the individual’s performance of volunteer services without remuneration for a charitable institution or a governmental entity.

(3) An individual may not be deemed “unemployed” under this section for any week in which the individual is receiving family and medical leave insurance benefits under ORS chapter 657B.

(4) The Director of the Employment Department shall prescribe rules as the director deems necessary with respect to the various types of unemployment. [Amended by 1981 c.77 §3; 2019 c.700 §54; 2021 c.30 §§2,4,6]

Source: Section 657.100 — When individual deemed “unemployed”; exclusions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.095 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.095
657.095 Payroll
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, “payroll” means all wages paid to employees in any employment subject to this chapter. However, for payroll tax purposes pursuant to this chapter, “wages” excludes remuneration received by an employee from each employer in any calendar year that is in excess of an amount obtained by multiplying the average annual wage for the second preceding calendar year by 0.80 and rounding the result to the nearest multiple of $100. The average annual wage shall be determined by dividing the total wages paid by subject employers during the year by the average monthly employment reported by subject employers for the year. However, a payroll, as calculated pursuant to this section, may not in any year be less than the amount in effect during the preceding calendar year.

(2) The remuneration paid by an employer located in this state for work performed in other states by an employee who works part of the time in a calendar year in this and other states shall be included in payroll when the work in the other states is covered by unemployment insurance laws. The Director of the Employment Department shall prescribe the manner of providing proof of the payment of payroll taxes on the wages of an employee earned while working in other states. [Amended by 1955 c.655 §6; 1959 c.606 §1; 1965 c.205 §1; 1971 c.463 §10; 1973 c.300 §3; 1973 c.810 §1; 1975 c.354 §1; 1983 c.508 §2; 1995 c.79 §331; 2005 c.183 §4]

Source: Section 657.095 — Payroll , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 657.770 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 657 / Section 657.770
657.770 Reciprocal agreements concerning wages used as basis for benefits
Status: in_force

(1) The Director of the Employment Department may enter into reciprocal arrangements with appropriate and duly authorized agencies of other states or of the federal government, or both, whereby wages, upon the basis of which an individual may become entitled to benefits under an employment security law of another state or of the federal government, shall be deemed to be wages for insured work for the purpose of determining benefits under this chapter. Wages for insured work, on the basis of which an individual may become entitled to benefits under this chapter, shall be deemed to be wages on the basis of which unemployment insurance is payable under such law of another state or of the federal government.

(2) No such arrangement shall be entered into unless it contains provision for reimbursement to the fund for such of the benefits paid under this chapter on the basis of such wages and provision for reimbursement from the fund for such benefits paid under such other law on the basis of wages for insured work, as the director finds will be fair and reasonable to all affected interests.

(3) Reimbursements paid from the fund pursuant to this section are deemed to be benefits for the purposes of this chapter. However, no charge shall be made to an employer’s account under ORS 657.471 (Manner of charging benefits to employer) in excess of the maximum benefits payable under ORS 657.150 (Amount of benefits) or when no benefits would have been payable to an individual but for this section, because of the lack of wages for insured work necessary to qualify for benefits.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the director shall participate in any arrangements for the payment of compensation on the basis of combining an individual’s wages and employment covered under this chapter with wages and employment covered under the unemployment insurance laws of other states that are approved by the United States Secretary of Labor in consultation with the state unemployment insurance agencies as reasonably calculated to ensure the prompt and full payment of compensation in such situations and that include provisions for:

(a) Applying the base period of a single state law to a claim involving the combining of an individual’s wages and employment covered under two or more state unemployment insurance laws; and

(b) Avoiding the duplicate use of wages and employment by reason of such combining. [Amended by 1957 c.699 §11; 1971 c.463 §19; 2005 c.22 §463]

Source: Section 657.770 — Reciprocal agreements concerning wages used as basis for benefits , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors657.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 653.560 — OR Code / Title 51 / Chapter 653 / Section 653.560
653.560 Authority of Bureau of Labor and Industries
Status: in_force

The Bureau of Labor and Industries shall administer, execute and carry out the provisions of ORS 653.010 (Definitions for ORS 653.010 to 653.261) to 653.565 (Investigating compliance with rules) and 653.991 (Penalties) . [Formerly 653.520]

Source: Section 653.560 — Authority of Bureau of Labor and Industries , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).