Quick Answer
Portland employment law guide covering Oregon's strong worker protections, Portland ban the box law, predictive scheduling, paid family leave, and employee rights in Multnomah County.
Portland workers benefit from Oregon's progressive employment laws and Portland's local ordinances that often exceed state requirements. Oregon provides paid family leave, predictive scheduling for certain workers, and strong anti-discrimination protections. Whether you work in Portland's technology sector, healthcare industry, or service economy, understanding your employment rights is essential.
Quick Facts: Portland Employment Law
| Topic | Portland/Oregon | Federal Law |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $15.95/hour (Portland metro) | $7.25/hour |
| Paid Family Leave | Yes (12-18 weeks) | No federal mandate |
| Paid Sick Time | 40 hours/year | No federal mandate |
| Discrimination Law | ORS 659A | Title VII (15+ employees) |
| Filing Agencies | BOLI, EEOC | EEOC |
Key Portland Protections
Portland Minimum Wage (Portland Metro)
Oregon has a tiered minimum wage system:
| Region | 2026 Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Portland Metro | $15.95/hour |
| Standard Counties | $14.70/hour |
| Non-Urban Counties | $13.70/hour |
Wages increase annually based on inflation.
Portland Fair Chance Housing (Ban the Box - Housing)
Portland has strong fair chance protections:
Employment protections under Oregon law:
- Cannot ask about criminal history before interview
- Must consider individual circumstances
- Cannot automatically disqualify for convictions
Portland Sick Time Ordinance
Enhanced sick time protections:
Oregon requires 40 hours of sick time statewide. Portland's ordinance predated the state law and established important protections.
Current Oregon-wide requirements:
- 40 hours of sick time per year
- Paid for employers with 10+ employees (6+ in Portland)
- Accrual: 1 hour per 30 hours worked
Portland Fair Scheduling (Predictive Scheduling)
Applies to certain retail and food service workers:
Requirements:
- 14-day advance notice of schedules
- Compensation for schedule changes
- Right to rest between shifts (10 hours)
- Right to request schedule accommodations
Covered employers:
- Retail, hospitality, food service with 500+ employees globally
Oregon Paid Family and Medical Leave
Oregon Paid Leave Program (2023)
One of the nation's best paid leave programs:
Leave available:
- Up to 12 weeks for family, medical, or safe leave
- Additional 2 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions
- Can combine for up to 18 weeks total
Wage replacement:
- Up to 100% of wages (for lower earners)
- Scales down for higher earners
- Maximum weekly benefit set annually
Eligibility:
- Earned $1,000+ in base year
- Contributions through payroll
Covered reasons:
- Own serious health condition
- Family member's serious health condition
- Bonding with new child
- Safe leave (domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking)
Oregon Anti-Discrimination Law
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A
Protected characteristics:
- Race, color, national origin
- Religion
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Age (18+)
- Disability
- Marital status
- Family status
- Expunged criminal records
- Whistleblower status
Employers covered: 1 or more employees (harassment), 6+ (most discrimination)
Filing Complaints in Portland
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
Portland Office:
- Address: 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045, Portland, OR 97232
- Phone: 971-673-0761
- Website: oregon.gov{rel="nofollow"}
What they handle:
- Civil rights complaints (discrimination, harassment)
- Wage and hour violations
- Paid leave complaints
Filing deadline: 1 year for discrimination; 2 years for wages
EEOC - Seattle District Office
Serves Oregon:
- Address: 909 First Avenue, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
- Website: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Filing deadline: 300 days
Oregon OSHA
Portland Office:
- Phone: 503-229-5910
- Website: osha.oregon.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Legal Aid and Resources in Portland
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Free legal services:
- Phone: 503-224-4086
- Website: lasoregon.org{rel="nofollow"}
- Services: Employment, housing, family law
- Income limits apply
Oregon Law Center
Free legal services:
- Phone: 503-473-8324
- Website: oregonlawcenter.org{rel="nofollow"}
Oregon State Bar
Lawyer referral:
- Phone: 503-684-3763
- Website: osbar.org{rel="nofollow"}
Northwest Workers' Justice Project
Worker advocacy:
- Phone: 503-525-8454
- Website: nwjp.org{rel="nofollow"}
Major Industries in Portland
Technology
Portland's tech sector has grown significantly:
- Intel (Hillsboro campus)
- Nike (Beaverton headquarters)
- Columbia Sportswear
- Software and hardware companies
Common employment issues:
- Non-compete enforcement
- Stock option disputes
- Discrimination claims
- Misclassification
Healthcare
Major healthcare employers:
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
- Providence Health
- Legacy Health
- Kaiser Permanente
Common employment issues:
- Overtime violations for nurses
- Retaliation for patient safety concerns
- Union issues
- Meal break violations
Manufacturing
Traditional manufacturing remains important:
- Electronics manufacturing
- Food processing
- Wood products
Common employment issues:
- Workplace safety
- Overtime violations
- Union issues
Retail and Hospitality
Large hospitality sector:
- Hotels, restaurants, bars
- Retail establishments
Common employment issues:
- Predictive scheduling violations
- Tip violations
- Minimum wage violations
- Sick time denial
Common Employment Issues in Portland
Wage Theft
Oregon provides strong wage protections:
Penalties for violations:
- Unpaid wages plus penalty wages
- Waiting time penalties
- Attorney's fees
Common violations:
- Unpaid overtime
- Off-the-clock work
- Tip pool violations
- Final paycheck delays
Predictive Scheduling Violations
For covered retail/hospitality workers:
- Schedule changes without proper notice
- Clopening shifts without adequate rest
- Denial of additional hours to existing employees
Discrimination
Oregon protects broadly:
- Sexual orientation and gender identity explicitly protected
- Lower employer thresholds than federal law
- Strong remedies available
Federal Protections Apply
Portland workers receive all federal protections:
- FLSA: Minimum wage, overtime
- Title VII: Discrimination
- ADA: Disability accommodations
- ADEA: Age discrimination
- FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid leave
- OSHA: Workplace safety
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Portland?
The Portland Metro minimum wage is $15.95 per hour (2026). This is higher than other Oregon regions. Wages increase annually based on inflation. Check current rates at oregon.gov/boli.
Does Oregon have paid family leave?
Yes. Oregon Paid Leave provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family, medical, or safe leave reasons, with an additional 2 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions. Wage replacement can be up to 100% for lower earners.
How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in Oregon?
You have 1 year to file a civil rights complaint with BOLI. For federal claims with the EEOC, you have 300 days. Consider consulting an attorney early to preserve all options.
What is predictive scheduling?
Oregon requires certain large retail and hospitality employers to provide work schedules 14 days in advance and pay premiums for last-minute changes. This helps workers plan their lives and protects against erratic scheduling.
Related Resources
Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about employment law in Portland, Oregon and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Oregon employment attorney.
Official Resources:
- BOLI: oregon.gov/boli{rel="nofollow"} | 971-673-0761
- Oregon Paid Leave: https://paidleave.oregon.gov
- EEOC: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-669-4000
- Oregon OSHA: osha.oregon.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 503-229-5910