Starting January 1, 2023, Eugene School District 4J and its employees will begin paying into Oregon’s new paid leave program, Paid Leave Oregon.
Under the program, the wages of employees out on approved leave for a qualifying event will be paid out of a state-managed trust fund rather than by 4J for up to 12 weeks each year (up to 14 weeks for pregnancy-related medical leave). As under the current federal law, it will be illegal for employers to treat any employee badly or to fire them for taking time off through Paid Leave Oregon.
Both 4J and its employees are required to pay into the system, with the district contributing 0.4% of an employee’s gross wages and employees contributing 0.6% of their earnings. As examples, an employee earning $18 an hour would have $18.72 a month deducted from their paycheck, while an employee making $60,000 annually would contribute $30 a month.
Employees can start applying for benefits under the state paid leave program on September 3, 2023. The amount the program pays employees depends on how much they’ve earned the prior year, but some workers may receive their full weekly earnings.
4J’s Financial Services and Human Resources department will provide updates to staff and will send out emails in December and in January when the new deductions begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of leave is covered?
• Family Leave — Birth of child, bonding with child, care for a family member with serious illness or injury
• Medical Leave — Self-care when you have a serious illness or injury
• Safe Leave — Time off for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking
How much leave can I take?
You can take up to 12 weeks of paid time off of work in a year. If you are pregnant, have given birth or have health issues related to childbirth, you may be able to take up to two more weeks for a total of 14 weeks. You can take a leave a week or a single day at a time.
How much will it cost?
Paid Leave Oregon is a program that both employers and employees pay into.
• Employees will pay .006 (or 0.6%) of their gross pay.
• Employers will pay .004 (or 0.4%) of employee’s gross pay
Is this required?
Yes. There is an exception to this state program if an employer can offer a state-approved equivalent plan. Currently, 4J does not meet those requirements. The state program does not alter or change any contractual leave provisions for 4J staff, but it may enhance an employee’s leave benefits, when needed.
More Information
These links provide greater detail about the program:
• Paid Leave Oregon — Employee
• Paid Leave Oregon — Employer
Additional frequently asked questions about Paid Leave Oregon are available here. You can also subscribe to receive the latest program updates by email. If you have additional questions, call program toll-free at 833-854-0166 or email paidleave@oregon.gov.
