Oregon Worker Rights
Oregon has regional minimum wages, required rest and meal breaks, paid sick time, Paid Leave Oregon, and strong heat and wildfire smoke rules.
- Oregon
Pay
- Minimum wage: three regional rates (Portland metro, standard and nonurban counties), adjusted every July 1.
- Overtime: 1.5x over 40 hours a week; daily overtime applies in some industries such as manufacturing.
- Final pay: by the end of the next business day if you’re fired; quitting rules depend on how much notice you gave.
- Prevailing wage: required on public works, enforced by BOLI.
Breaks and leave
- Breaks: a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours, and a 30-minute meal period for shifts of 6 hours or more.
- Sick time: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year; paid at employers with 10 or more employees (6 in Portland).
- Paid Leave Oregon: a state program paying partial wages for family, medical and safe leave.
Unions and right-to-work
Oregon is not a right-to-work state, so a union contract can require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. Private-sector workers have the right to organize under federal law. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
- Discrimination and harassment: BOLI Civil Rights Division, or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: Oregon OSHA, the state plan, covers most private and public employers.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with Oregon’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: