What it can be used for
Own or family illness and preventive care, new child bonding, bereavement, domestic violence or stalking, public health emergencies, evacuation orders, bad air quality or heat for some workers, and blood donation. Source: oregon.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Notice and documentation
A doctor's note can be required only for absences over three consecutive scheduled workdays, missed required notice, or clear signs of abuse. The employer pays any note costs. Source: oregon.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
BOLI may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for willful sick time violations. Source: oregonlegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Recent changes
From January 1, 2026, sick time can be used for blood donation (SB 1108). SB 69 (September 26, 2025) allows sick time for events that qualify for Paid Leave Oregon. Source: oregon.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: ORS 653.601 to 653.661; OAR 839-007 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)
Paid sick leave checklist for Oregon employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
- Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
- Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
- Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
- Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
- Keep records of time earned and used.
More Oregon employment law guides
- All Oregon employment laws
- Oregon final paycheck law
- Oregon meal and rest break laws
- Oregon overtime law
- Oregon pay frequency law
- Oregon vacation and PTO payout law
- Oregon new hire reporting
- Oregon at-will exceptions
Paid sick leave laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
- https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/sick-time.aspx
- https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.html
- https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/pages/legislative-updates.aspx
- https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/sick-leave
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.