04/03/2014

A message from the Office of Commissioner Fritz: Protected Sick Time is Here!

As of January 1, 2014, the City of Portland’s new Protected Sick Time ordinance went into effect, providing workers in Portland with a protected right to earn sick time to use when they or a family member are sick, injured, or in need of preventive health care.

The ordinance applies to all employees who work within the geographic boundaries of the city of Portland for 240 hours or more in a calendar year. Employers with six or more employees must allow workers to earn paid sick leave. Employers with five or fewer employees are required to provide unpaid sick leave. Full, part-time, and temporary employees should accrue one hour of job-protected sick time for every 30 hours worked and, if earned, can accumulate up to 40 hours paid or unpaid sick time per calendar year. Earned sick leave may be used in increments of one hour or greater, and may be used to cover all or part of a shift.

For employers and employees interested in learning more about this new law, visit www.portlandoregon.gov/sicktime, email sicktimeinfo@portlandoregon.gov or call 503.823.3994.