PAID LEAVE OREGON

A new program that allows workers in Oregon to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments that impact our families, health and safety.

  • Family Leave – to care for a family member with a serious illness or injury, or to bond with a new child after birth, adoption or foster care placement.

  • Medical Leave – during one’s own serious health condition.

  • Safe Leave – for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.

When will the Paid Leave program start?

Employers will begin payroll contributions in January 2023, and workers will be able to apply for benefits in September 2023.

Benefits:

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid leave per benefit year (up to 14 weeks for pregnancy-

  • related medical leave). You can take leave a week or a single day at a time.

  • If you have been with your employer for more than 90 days, your job

    remains protected and safe while you use paid leave. Your employer cannot penalize you for using paid leave.

    Benefit payments depend on your wages and/or income compared to the statewide average weekly wage; many will receive 100% wage replacement.

Who is Covered?

Any employee who has earned at least $1,000 during the year prior to claiming paid leave may be eligible. Most employees working in Oregon will be covered. Tribal governments, self-employed business owners, and independent contractors may choose to participate by notifying the Paid Leave program.

How is this funded?

The Paid Leave program is funded by a trust fund. Both workers and employers contribute to the trust fund through payroll taxes.

Oregon employers will begin contributing to the paid leave trust fund on January 1, 2023. Once the rate is set, large employers will contribute 40%, and employees will contribute 60% of the total contribution for each individual. Small employers, those with fewer than 25 employees, are not required to contribute. However, grants will be available for those that choose to pay their 40%.

What are contributions used for?

  • Paid leave benefits for employees

  • Grants to help small employers when their employees use paid leave

  • Program administration

How much are contributions?

Contributions are a percentage of wages. The rate for 2023 is 1% of up to $132,900 in wages.

How are contributions shared between employers and employees?

Employees pay 60% of the set contribution rate, and employers pay 40%. For example, if an employee made $1,000 in wages, the employee would pay $6 and the employer would pay $4 for this paycheck. Employers may choose to pay the employee portion as a benefit for their employees.

Which employers and employees are required to participate in PaidLeaveOregon?

All employers, except federal and tribal governments, are required to participate in the Paid Leave program. Tribal governments can choose to provide coverage through the program.

All employees, except employees of federal and tribal governments, are required to participate in Paid Leave Oregon. Employees of tribal governments participate if their tribal government chooses coverage. Self-employed individuals and independent contractors can also choose to participate.

Learn More.

Visit paidleave.oregon.gov and subscribe to email updates.

Email us at paidleave@oregon.gov.
Call us at 833-854-0166.