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The state of Oregon’s Labor Laws help to provide fairness and equality in the workplace. Oregon is a state that has the most worker-friendly policies in the country.
From strong protections around equal minimum wage to progressive rules regarding scheduling, the Oregon labor laws work for both workers and employers. These regulations represent the state’s efforts to maintain workers’ rights and to provide a clear set of guidelines to businesses.
Standard Working Hours & Wages
The employees are covered under the State of Oregon Labor Laws. Exemptions are in place for particular agricultural, live-in domestic, and certain administrative, executive, and professional employees.
As per the State of Oregon Labor Law, the standard working hours are 40 hours in week.
Minimum Wages
Unlike in many states, Oregon has a graduated minimum wage system based on location that accounts for variations in the cost of living. The current minimum wage is:
- Portland Metro: $15.95 per hour.
- Standard (Urban) Counties: $14.70/hour.
- Rural (Non-Urban) Counties: $13.70 per hour.
These rates help workers in more expensive places like Portland earn more equitable wages than those who might work in more affordable areas.
Overtime
Under Oregon labor laws, overtime, some changes are there, but the rules on overtime mainly correspond to federal regulations. Meaning that, in general, those covered by the laws must receive 1.5 times their regular hourly rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. This keeps employees from getting shortchanged for the additional hours and energy they put in.
Private employers are not all subject to overtime mandates. Exceptions include administrative, executive, and professional employees and certain industry positions.
Tipped Minimum Wages
In Oregon, an employer may not take tip credits and therefore pay its tipped employees less than the state minimum wage.
Oregon labor laws for salaried employees allow for forced tip pooling as long as supervisors or business owners don’t participate in the pool.
Meal Breaks And Rest Periods
Oregon values the health of workers; that is why the Oregon labor laws provide lunch breaks and rest periods. These rules avoid physical and mental exhaustion, increase productivity, and ensure a balance between work and private life.
All employees are owed certain breaks based on the length of their shift, and minors receive more protections under Oregon’s child labor laws.
| Work Hours | Required Breaks / Meal Periods | Notes |
| Minors | Specific break periods | As per the Oregon child labor laws, the breaks are mandated |
| Up to 4 hours | No mandated rest break | Employees are still able to take breaks at their employer’s request |
| Every 4 hours | 10-minute paid rest break | Employees need to be relieved from their duties |
| Over 6 hours | 30-minute unpaid meal break | To be issued approximately mid-shift |
Employee Compensation
There a special Oregon labor laws regarding salaries. There is no corresponding reporting time law for adults, but there are similar predictive scheduling laws that obligate employers to pay employees if their hours are changed or reduced.
Payday Frequency and Payment Methods
State of Oregon Labor Laws on Paydays provides that employers must pay employees not more than 35 days apart.
Employers can pay employees via:
- Direct deposit.
- Cash.
- Verify (if employee so requests).
- Either payroll cards or electronic transfers.
Employees can’t be charged fees to access the funds they earn, which promotes fair and equitable pay practices.
Workers’ Compensation in Oregon
Most Oregon employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Failure to provide coverage can result in fines from the Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD). Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment, lost wages, permanent disability, and fatality benefits for spouses and children.
Employees receive a decision on their claim within 60 days of the employer’s awareness. If they disagree, they can request reconsideration with the WCD within 60 days. Further appeals can be made to the Workers’ Compensation Board within 30 days of the WCD’s order.
Leave Laws
Oregon is a state that values the work-life balance, so there are job protections for extended periods of leave. Federal and most state laws allow employees to take time off for health or family reasons without losing their jobs.
Oregon eligible employees may take medical leave to attend to their own serious health condition or to care for a family member. Both the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)grant leave protection for employees during these leaves.
Eligibility for OFLA criteria:
- Work in a typical week during that period a minimum of 25 hours per week.
- Work for 180 days or more.
- It’s for employers of 25 or more employees and provides up to 12 weeks of leave.
- Providing care to a family patient with a serious illness.
- Recovering from a personal illness.
- Bonding with a new baby or adopted child.
Child Labor Laws
As per the State of Oregon Labor Laws, employers generally hire workers under the age of 14. There are exceptions; you can only give some kinds of jobs, like children working on farms or picking berries. These exceptions keep young workers only in safe and proper places of employment.
Business owners who want to employ workers under 18 must annually apply for a minor employment certificate from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). Employer certificates, issued to the employers, not the employees themselves, help ensure that employers comply with state labor laws.
| Category | 14 and 15-Year-Olds | 16 and 17-Year-Olds |
| Restricted Types of Work | Minors cannot work in:
|
All minors under 18 cannot work in:
|
| Hours When School is in Session | Can work between 7 am and 7 pm, not school hours
|
No limits on timing
|
| Hours When School Isn’t in Session | Can work 7 am to 9 pm from June 1 to Labor Day
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Same as above for non-school periods
|
Taxes In Oregon
Oregon’s tax structure has a number of unique characteristics relative to other states. The state has a graduated individual income tax, with rates that range from 4.75 percent to 9.9 percent and which makes for more tax payments from higher earners.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
What are the labor rights in Oregon?
There are several Oregon labor laws regarding minimum wage, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and, among others, Oregon workers’ rights. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is responsible for the enforcement of these laws.
What is the 4-hour rule in Oregon?
When employees are scheduled but end up working less than half of their shift, Oregon law mandates that the employer pay for at least half the time they were scheduled to work, with a minimum of 2 hours.
Can I work 6 hours without a lunch break in Oregon?
Yes, if you work less than 6 hours in a shift, your employer can waive your right to a lunch break. If you have a shift that is 6 hours or more, you are given a 30-minute break.
Can you be fired without warning in Oregon?
Yes, Oregon is an at-will state, which means that employers may fire or lay off workers without advance notice and without cause (provided their reason for terminating is not discriminatory or retaliatory).
Can I sue my employer for not giving me breaks in Oregon?
Yes, you can file a complaint with BOLI or take legal action to recover unpaid wages plus penalties if your employer consistently interferes or does not provide legally required meal and rest periods.
How many hours straight can you legally work in a day in Oregon?
Most jobs in Oregon have no limit on the maximum number of hours per day, but overtime pay is required for nonexempt employees after 40 hours in a workweek.
Does Oregon have to pay out PTO?
If your company’s policy or employment agreement states that PTO is earned, yes, then it must be paid out in Oregon at termination.
What is the shift to I rule in Oregon?
As per the shift to I rule in Oregon, you can get at least 10 hours of rest between shifts in some industries.
Do you have the right to rest between shifts in Oregon?
Yes, covered workers in retail, hospitality, and restaurant services must get 10 hours of rest in between shifts, if they sign up voluntarily to work during that time, for extra pay.
Can you get fired for calling in sick in Oregon?
No, there are rules in Oregon law for employees who take sick leave, which they have earned. Your employer can’t retaliate against you or terminate you for using sick time lawfully.
What is considered wrongful termination in Oregon?
Termination is considered wrongful if it stems from discrimination, retaliation, not the use of protected leave or the breach of an employment agreement.
What is the WARN Act in Oregon?
The WARN Act requires certain employers to provide 60 days’ notice for large layoffs or business closings to protect workers from abrupt job loss.
What happens to PTO when you quit Oregon?
If under the policy or contract, it is deemed to be earnings, when you separate from the company or when you give them notice of the termination of the contract, the employer has to pay you any unused time you have accrued.
What is the Clopen law in Oregon?
As per the Clopen law, at least 10 hours of rest are required for retail and hospitality workers who need to work a closing shift immediately followed by an opening shift.
What is Rule 1.6 in Oregon?
ORPC 1.6 mandates confidentiality for attorneys, with some exceptions.
How many days in a row can you work without a day off in Oregon?
Oregon law does not place any limit on consecutive workdays, except in manufacturing, where employees must receive one day off in seven.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Oregon for 2025?
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Oregon’s minimum wage varies by region. As of July 1, 2025, the standard minimum wage is $15.45 per hour in Portland’s urban growth boundary, $14.20 in standard counties, and $13.20 in non-urban counties. These rates are adjusted annually based on inflation.
Are Oregon employees entitled to paid sick leave in 2025?
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Yes. Oregon law requires employers with 10 or more employees (or 6 or more in Portland) to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Smaller employers must provide the same amount of unpaid sick leave. Employees can use this time for personal illness, family care, or certain public health emergencies.
Does Oregon require overtime pay?
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Yes. Non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Some industries, such as manufacturing and certain healthcare facilities, have daily overtime rules as well.
What are Oregon’s meal and rest break requirements?
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Oregon law requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts of 6 or more hours. Employees are also entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours (or major fraction) worked. Breaks must be provided approximately in the middle of each work period.
