Seminar Refreshes Employers on Legal Practices
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, or BOLI, held a seminar on October 24 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in the Old Mill. The seminar was entitled, “Navigating Workplace Challenges” and was presented by Learning and Development Specialist Jeff Burgess.
BOLI is led by Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson. According to Burgess, “BOLI protects workers’ rights through enforcement of state labor laws, ensures access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination for all Oregonians, and promotes the development of a highly skilled workforce through registered apprenticeship programs.”
Burgess said these goals are accomplished by the three main divisions of the bureau. The Wage and Hour Division addresses wage claims and violations of employment laws and enforces prevailing wage laws on public projects. The Civil Rights Division enforces anti-discrimination laws to ensure all Oregonians have equal access to employment, housing, and services, regardless of race, gender, disability, or other protected status. Finally, The Apprenticeship and Training Division partners with businesses to develop registered apprenticeship programs, helping workers earn while they learn.
BOLI’s Employer Assistance Unit operates independently from the other divisions; this unit, led by Burgess at the Hampton Inn, led guests through half a day’s worth of information regarding workplace practices.
This seminar was also brought about by a partnership with the Central Oregon Employment Council, or COEC. Burgess said that the two groups have been collaborating since 2009, stating, “We are pleased to partner with the Central Oregon Employer Council and other local organizations because we believe a well-informed employer community benefits everyone.”
In general, the seminar covered various wage, hour and salary hot topics, as well as changes to leave laws, workplace safety and health issues, and finally, accommodations in the workplace for various reasons including disability, pregnancy, religion, and safety for survivors of sexual assault, harassment and/or stalking.
Some of the wage hot topics included; a discussion of which employees are exempt, according to Oregon law, from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements; when it is legal or not legal to dock an employee’s pay; and what exactly qualifies someone as a volunteer versus an employee. Throughout the entire presentation, Burgess was enthusiastically taking questions from the crowd, answering and informing many Bend business owners in real time. This part makes BOLI seminars particularly useful for business owners, as much of the information is practical and applicable to their current professional situations.
The seminar covered multiple hypothetical scenarios, like what to do when a productive employee refuses to take their break, and what to do when an employee is taking their work home and not being honest on their timesheets.
A timely topic that was addressed was the new Oregon SB 592, which went into effect January 1 of this year. This gave OROSHA the expanded authority to enter, inspect and assess civil penalties for violations of the Safe Employment Act. Civil penalties may range from $0 to over $16,000 depending on such factors as good faith, size, history, immediate correction, severity and probability of death or serious bodily harm (for first-time violations). For repeat and willful offenders, the fines could go as high as $250,000.
Seminars like these are a regular part of what BOLI does, according to Burgess, who said, “We hold these events frequently to ensure that employers have the information they need to navigate Oregon’s employment laws confidently and responsibly. Our unit is largely self-funded and operates independently from enforcement, allowing employers to get candid, direct answers to their questions without concerns triggering complaints. We believe that by empowering employers with the right tools and knowledge, we help prevent issues before they arise – a win for employers, employees, and the broader community.”
Walking away from the day’s seminar, Burgess wants employers to be informed and equipped to handle the challenges that being an employer brings, “We want attendees to leave our seminars equipped with both practical knowledge and a solid understanding of the resources available to them. From identifying common compliance issues to navigating more complex matters, employers can rely on our team for guidance,” Burgess said.
BOLI has another event coming up in the calendar. The Employment Law Conference will be happening virtually on November 7 and 8. This large-scale event aims to gather top experts to address some big topics, like wage and hour laws, disability accommodations, and Oregon’s Paid Leave program.
On the virtual nature of the conference, Burgess said, “Since Paid Leave Oregon passed, BOLI has provided free compliance seminars to thousands of Oregon businesses, forgoing more than $200,000 in registration fees to make this crucial information accessible. To keep fees for this year’s Employment Law Conference low, and to increase accessibility, we’ve opted for a fully virtual program because we believe the information is essential for every employer. When employers operate on a level playing field and treat their employees fairly, employees benefit from workplaces that use best practices to stay in compliance, and our enforcement colleagues see fewer claims and complaints.”
