Sherwood, Oregon Employment Law Blog
Highest court decision enhances employee religious accommodations
In Sherwood and across Oregon, people have many different religions with specific requirements they are expected to adhere to. That can sometimes conflict with work with which days they are available, the time at which they must stop, what facilities are available and...
Labor Department recovers more than $167,000 in unpaid overtime
One of the most complicated provisions in federal statutes and regulations that govern minimum compensation is the provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requiring payment of overtime to workers who work more than 40 hours in a week. The Wage and Hour...
An employee handbook is the compass that guides employers towards clear communication, compliance, and consistency in managing their workforce.
In the dynamic landscape of small businesses, establishing a solid foundation is key to success. One often overlooked aspect of building this foundation is the creation of an employee handbook. While some may consider it unnecessary for small businesses, having a...
Can first responders be whistleblowers too?
If you are a first responder in Oregon, such as a firefighter, police officer, EMS personnel, nurse, dispatcher, doctor or corrections officer, you may witness or experience something in your workplace that you believe violates the law or endangers public safety....
Unemployment benefits and the appeals process
In Oregon, if employees lose their job or have their work hours reduced, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits. There is information available about applying for benefits and how to appeal an unfavorable decision. Unemployment benefits An employee is eligible...
Minimum wage workers owed 70-cent hourly raise as of April 14
In mid-April, the minimum wage in Oregon went up 70 cents. While this may have helped some people out financially or seemed insufficient to others, if you earn the hourly minimum wage and did not see this 70-cent increase starting April 14, you might have a claim for...
Understanding Oregon’s overtime laws
Like most states, Oregon has overtime laws employers must follow. It is important to understand these laws because they can be complex. Knowing and following the overtime laws helps employers avoid claims from employees for unpaid overtime and ensures employees are...
Administrative exemptions to overtime pay
Working extra hours can be a drag, but many workers enjoy the benefit of overtime pay. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act spells out rules for overtime pay, providing that most workers will receive at least one-and-a-half times their hourly rate when they work...
How can sexual harassment occur in the workplace?
There has been a number of high-profile sexual harassment matters in the last couple of years and there has been an emphasis on it in Oregon like other areas of the country. When thinking about sexual harassment many people may think about people in high positions...
Asking about a job applicant’s criminal history
Any business owner knows the importance of carefully evaluating potential hires. Employees are often the “face” of a business and an essential part of the business’s success. While many employers understandably want to know about a potential hire’s criminal history,...
