Last July (2015), Oregon’s Governor signed a bill into law, after passage in the Oregon Legislature, that ensures that working Oregonians will now have access to sick time to recover from illness or to take care of a sick family member.
Oregon was the fourth state in the country to pass such a law. It officially went into effect on January 1st, 2016.
Everyone working in Oregon should now accrue 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours they work, up to 40 hours per year.
Outside of the City of Portland: If you work for an employer with 10 or more employees, your sick time should be paid at your regular wages. If you work for an employer with 9 or fewer employees, the employer may choose if your time is paid or unpaid. Whether your sick time is paid or unpaid, you cannot be penalized or fired for taking the time you’ve accrued.
Inside the City of Portland: If you work for an employer with 5 or more employees, your sick time should be paid at your regular wages. If you work for an employer with 4 or fewer employees, the employer may choose if your time is paid or unpaid. Whether your sick time is paid or unpaid, you cannot be penalized or fired for taking the time you’ve accrued.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information about how sick time works in Oregon.