The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly – according to a new forecast more people will be hospitalized than ever before for COVID-19 in Oregon due to this highly contagious variant. It’s time to redouble our efforts to keep ourselves, our families, and our workplaces safe. Here’s what you need to know:
STAY SAFE AT WORK
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on the rise in Oregon, it’s important that working people know the precautions every employer is expected to take in order to keep us safe on the job. If your employer isn’t following these rules, you or your union representative or steward can file a complaint here. Complaints can be made anonymously.
OREGON WORKERS ARE PROTECTED FROM RETALIATION FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY COMPLAINTS AT WORK AND BENEFIT FROM A PRESUMPTION
If you raise a safety or health concern at work and then experience an adverse employment action (termination, demotion, reduction in hours, etc.) within 60 days, you are now protected under the law. Thanks to Senate Bill 483 which we championed in the 2021 legislative session, in this instance the responsibility is now on the employer to prove that they fired the worker who brought the complaint for a lawful reason (tardiness, performance, etc.) and not for a retaliatory reason.
OREGON FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT MODERNIZATION WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1
House Bill 2474 (2021) expanded Oregon’s unpaid, job protected family leave program to ensure that if you or a family member gets ill you will have access to OFLA if you’ve worked for your employer for 30 days. It also includes job protections when a child care facility or school closes during a public health emergency. Furthermore, the bill updates the definition of family to be more reflective of today’s families and uses gender-neutral language for pregnancy. If your employer isn’t following these rules, you can file a complaint here.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
We’ll keep pushing to make sure protections are passed and implemented to keep Oregon workers, our families, and our communities safe as we continue to battle COVID-19. And let’s all do our part to ensure we maintain social distance, wear masks, get vaccinated, and get tested when we feel sick. Click here for graphics and social media posts to use on your page to help spread the word.