Employment Laws in Oregon

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Definition of employee. Employee does not include any individual employed by his or her parents, spouse or child or in the domestic service of any person.

Definition of employer. Employer means any person who in this state, directly or through an agent, engages or utilizes the personal service of one or more employees, reserving the right to control the means by which such service is or will be performed. Employer also includes any public body that, directly or through an agent, engages or utilizes the personal service of one or more employees, reserving the right to control the means by which such service is or will be performed.

For purposes of the prohibition on disability discrimination, employer means any person that has six or more employees.

Prohibited employment discrimination. Employers may not discriminate against job applicants or employees because of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, age (18 and over), disability, genetic information, juvenile records that have been expunged, or off-premises use of tobacco during nonworking hours.

Discrimination against an employee for taking wage-related actions is unlawful.

Employers with six or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against an employee because the employee takes leave to address domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

An individual may not bring a civil action against an employer for discrimination on the basis of the use of tobacco during non-work hours.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Oregon Family Fairness Act creates domestic partnerships and civil contracts between adults of the same sex.

Recordkeeping/posting requirements. Not specified.