Update Applicable to:
All Oregon employers and multi-state businesses with workers in Oregon.
What happened?
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek recently signed into law a bill that will extend civil rights, discrimination, and harassment workplace protections to participants in registered apprenticeship programs and certain private-sector on-the-job training programs. The law takes effect January 1, 2024.
What do employers need to do?
Employers should review the resources provided and prepare for the changes that it entails. Employers should consult their trusted employment attorney on how to implement said changes if deemed necessary.
What are the details?
The new law will apply to participants in registered apprenticeship programs or private-sector on-the-job training programs that provide job-specific skills training necessary for obtaining employment in a skilled trade.
With respect to on-the-job training programs, the protections will apply if the program: 1) is for a limited duration of time as agreed upon by the participant and the employer, 2) the employer provides paid work experience to the participant at an agreed-upon rate, 3) the program does not require the employer to commit to hiring the participant and 4) the program does not require or permit the parties to enter into a contract for employment as a term or condition of the program.
On-the-job-training programs administered or operated by the Department of Correction or Oregon Correction Enterprises are exempt.
For more information, please see the links below:
Law Firm Articles: Article 1, Article 2
Bill: H 3307 & H 3307 summary
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