You can recover unpaid wages, overtime, and tips in Oregon if you know your rights and how to enforce them. Does your employer owe you unpaid wages or overtime? Or, maybe you need information on the breaks you’re entitled to, overtime rules, or your right to tips. If so, you'll find the information you need on this site to learn what you can do in Oregon to get the money you have earned.
Here, we answer many common questions about wage and hour law in Oregon, including:
- your rights to pay and what to do if you are owed pay
- whether you are eligible for overtime pay in Oregon
- your right to tips in Oregon
- what breaks you are entitled to in Oregon, and
- how to file a wage claim against your employer with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.
A few things to keep in mind as you explore this site:
1. Wage and hour laws differ from state to state.
Most states have enacted their own wage and hour regulations and procedures for employees to follow if they have been treated unfairly. These regulations and procedures vary from state to state. Start by finding out about your rights to pay in Oregon.
2. Some states simply adopt the federal minimum wage and overtime standards, but most states have higher standards.
The U.S. Department of Labor covers minimum wage, overtime, and other wage and hour matters. In states that have not adopted their own wage and hour regulations and procedures, your rights are set out by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries is the agency that enforces labor laws in Oregon. Check there to find out more about minimum wage and overtime rules in Oregon.
The minimum wage in Oregon is $15.45 within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, $13.20 an hour in non-urban counties, and $14.20 an hour everywhere else. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Oregon must be paid the higher state minimum wage.
Portland Minimum Wage
Within the urban growth boundary that defines the Portland metropolitan area, the minimum wage is $14 an hour.
Clackamas County Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Clackamas County depends on whether you work within the urban growth boundary that defines the Portland metropolitan area. If so, the current minimum wage is $15.45 an hour. If you work in Clackamas County outside of the urban growth boundary, the current minimum wage is $14.20 an hour.
Check Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries to find out more.
3. You are entitled to certain payments when your employment ends.
Your final paycheck must include certain amounts, regardless of whether you resigned, were laid off, or were fired. Find out whether your former employer met Oregon’s final paycheck requirements. If you are fired, laid off, or otherwise involuntarily lose your job in Oregon, your employer must pay your final paycheck by the end of the next business after your dismissal. If you quit after giving at least 48 hours' notice, your employer must pay your final paycheck on your final day worked. If your final day worked is a holiday, your employer must pay your final paycheck on the next business day. If you quit after giving less than 48 hours' notice (excluding weekends and holidays), your employer must pay your final paycheck within five days (excluding weekends and holidays) or on the next regular payday, whichever comes first. If you and your employer mutually agree to end your employment, your employer must pay your final paycheck by the end of the next business day.