Oregon employers are required to keep certain records on hand for each employee, compiled in a personnel file. These records are highly important in case an employee believes he or she has suffered discrimination, wage and hour violations, any form of retaliation, or wrongful termination. While employees should know their rights regarding their access to… Read More
Posts Categorized In: Portland
Not All Discrimination Claims are Valid
Many employees in Oregon and across the United States suffer unlawful workplace discrimination every day. Such employees deserve full protection under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and deserve to be fairly compensated for any violations of their rights under the law. However, like any type of civil action, some workplace discrimination claims are unfounded. Some… Read More
Subsequent Oregon Business Owner Responsible for Unpaid Wages
Under Oregon law, when a business goes under, employees still deserve to be fully compensated for all of the work they have completed. As a result, there is a specific process by which former employees may go about collecting unpaid wages if their employer closes. If such employees file a claim with the Oregon Bureau… Read More
Strange New Industry Growing in Portland
With the economy still struggling and the unemployment rates looming, many Oregonians are coming up with new and creative ways to make a few dollars. Start-up businesses are cropping up across the state, many based on ideas that sound strange at first, though prove to be successful. For example, many people balked at the idea… Read More
Non-Compete Agreements in Oregon
At the start of employment, many companies want new employees to sign a non-compete agreement, also known as a covenant not to compete. A non-compete agreement is, simply put, a contract that protects an employer by prohibiting certain competition in business by employees or former employees. If an employee signs a non-compete agreement, they may… Read More
Tips for Oregonians to Avoid Job Scams
With unemployment still a large problem in Oregon and the United States as a whole, many Americans are desperate for any work they can possibly find. Many people take to the Internet to use convenient online job searches and applications. Unfortunately, scammers have realized how to take advantage of online job seekers by soliciting money… Read More
Overview of Employment Law Changes for Oregon in 2014 (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this article, we explained how the Oregon legislature has enacted or updated several laws affecting employers and employees throughout the state. It is always important for employees to be aware of their rights so they may identify any violations thereof. Furthermore, it is equally important for employers to stay on top… Read More
Overview of Employment Law Changes for Oregon in 2014 (Part 1)
As the New Year quickly approaches, employers and employees alike will want to be aware of changes in Oregon’s employment laws going into effect on January 1, 2014. Employment law was often at the forefront of legislators’ agendas in 2013, with the living and minimum wage debate and the fight for more employee rights heating… Read More
Recent Oregon ruling on Facebook Comments and First Amendment Rights
Many courts around the country have ruled that much of an employee’s activity on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, is protected activity under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. This means that employees may not be terminated or disciplined for protected online speech. However, this is not a… Read More
Rights Under Oregon Wage and Hour Laws
All Oregon employees have specific rights under both state and federal wage and hour laws. On the federal level, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that employer pay employees a minimum hourly wage of $7.25 per hour, as well as time and a half that hourly wage for overtime hours. Oregon employment laws enforce… Read More