NEWS RELEASE: BOLI announces public comment period on sick time rules

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
August 31, 2016
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 or Paloma Sparks at (971) 673-0841

BOLI announces public comment period on sick time rules
Agency will review comments submitted by September 26th

PORTLAND, OR-The Bureau of Labor and Industries will open a public comment period for proposed rulemaking regarding Oregon's sick time law starting September 1st, the agency announced today.

Passed during the 2015 session, the law<https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.html> (SB 454) requires employers to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time or unpaid, but protected, sick time a year, depending on employer size and location.

The rulemaking process will clarify sick time rules, including regular rate of pay for piece rate workers, the definition of employees covered and joint employer liability. Copies of the proposed rules (OAR 839-007) can be found online here<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/Pages/legal/H_Notices.aspx>.

A diverse committee advised BOLI on the draft rules, including members of the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Association of General Contractors, Association of Oregon Industries, United Food and Commercial Workers, AFL-CIO, Family Forward, SEIU, ACLU, Oregon Education Association, and the Oregon School Boards Association.

Members of the public may direct comments regarding the proposed rules to Paloma Sparks, Legislative Director, at paloma.sparks at state.or.us<mailto:paloma.sparks at state.or.us> until September 26th at 5 p.m. Comments may also be sent to Marcia Ohlemiller, BOLI Rules Coordinator, c/o BOLI, 800 NE Oregon Street, Ste. 1045, Portland, OR 97232 or emailed to marcia.l.ohlemiller at state.or.us<mailto:marcia.l.ohlemiller at state.or.us> prior to the deadline.

"Oregon's sick time law supports hundreds of thousands of workers who previously didn't have access to any paid time off when they're ill or caring for a sick child or spouse," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "We appreciate the work of this diverse advisory committee and look forward to reviewing additional public comments before finalizing rules."

Employers that want to keep up to date about sick time rules and other workplace topics may sign up for BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employer's email list here<http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/boli-ta>. Businesses can also learn about new workplace requirements during a series of upcoming Employment Law Update seminars around the state<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/TA/pages/t_sem_taseminar.aspx#EMPLOYERSEMINARSCHEDULE>.

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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
Cell: 503-913-5407

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