NEWS RELEASE: BOLI announces statewide sick time rulemaking hearings for public input

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
October 9, 2015
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 wk. or Paloma Sparks, (541) 337-4740

BOLI announces statewide sick time rulemaking hearings for public input
Avakian: "We want to hear from employers and advocates"

PORTLAND, OR-The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) will hold a series of rulemaking hearings on Oregon's new protected sick time law<https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB454/Enrolled> (SB 454), the agency announced today. In addition, members of the public can review proposed rules<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/Legal/docs/Proposed%20Sick%20Time%20Rules.pdf> online and submit comments directly to the agency.

An advisory committee comprised of employers, labor organizations, legislators, agricultural and farm sector representatives, and family policy advocates has been assisting BOLI in the rulemaking process.

"Oregon's new sick time law represents an important step forward for workplaces around the state," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "We want to hear from the public so that our agency can make the new protections work for employees and businesses alike."

Rulemaking for Oregon's sick days law includes topics such as:

*         Required employer notices;

*         When sick time must be paid;

*         Sick time accrual;

*         Medical verification;

*         Purposes for leave; and

*         How employers should determine the number of employees for their workforce for sick leave eligibility.

Rulemaking hearing 1: Eugene
Date:                     Thursday, October 15
Time:                     5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location:              Eugene Public Library (Bascom-Tykeson rooms), 100 W. 10th Ave, Eugene

Rulemaking hearing 2: Bend
Date:                     Tuesday, October 20
Time:                     11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location:              Deschutes Services Center (Barnes/Sawyer room), 1300 NW Wall St, Bend

Rulemaking hearing 3: Portland
Date:                     Monday, October 26
Time:                     12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location:              Portland State Office Building (1B), 800 NE Oregon St, Portland

Interested members of the public may submit comments to paloma.sparks at state.or.us<mailto:paloma.sparks at state.or.us> and do not need to attend  hearings in person.

"Our agency is committed to supporting Oregon's new sick days protections in a way that's fair to employers and employees," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "Oregon businesses should expect to see trainings starting in late November to help them navigate and comply with the new law. We want the measure to be as successful as possible and will direct resources to help organizations get up-to-speed on what the law means for them and their workforce."

Employer outreach

The agency's Technical Assistance for Employers program will develop and distribute fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and other training material for employers by the end of November after rulemaking is finalized.

In addition, BOLI will hire new Technical Assistance staff to support employer outreach and answer employers' questions before the law takes effect on January 1.

Compliance experts will also offer a series of seminars for businesses in the late fall after the agency finalizes the rulemaking process. The program's employer hotline at (971) 673-0824 will field employer calls.

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For more information about BOLI's efforts to support Oregon employers and protect Oregon's workforce, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI.



Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045
Portland, Oregon  97232
Tel:  971-673-0788
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