Oregon Family Medical Leave Act (OFMLA)

The Oregon Family Medical Leave law allows for 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period. The law when combined with the Federal act may provide  unpaid job-protected leave for differing population segments.  Short term disability in Oregon can provide a partially paid maternity leave, along with other benefits.

The Oregon law has special provisions for pregnancy, maternity, and childbirth. What you will find on this page:

* Who is covered
* Key Provisions
* Oregon Family Medical Leave and the Federal law
* Affording all the time off from work

The Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), passed by the 1995 Legislature, requires employers of 25 or more employees to provide their workers with job-protected leave to care for themselves or family members in cases of illness, injury, childbirth or adoption.

The Oregon Family Medical Leave Act has special provisions related to pregnancy and maternity that are important to know should you encounter a pregnancy with complications, and/or your child is born with special needs.

"An eligible female employee may take up to 36 weeks of OFLA leave in one leave year that includes up to 12 weeks of pregnancy disability leave, followed by 12 weeks of parental leave, and 12 weeks of sick child leave."

The employee must have worked with the employer for the preceding 180 days. The employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid job protected leave during any 12 month period, except as noted above.

Source: Oregon State Archives

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law, whereas the Oregon Family Leave Act applies to Oregon workers only.  Some key differences include:

• Length of leave is similar - Both laws allow for 12 weeks of leave a 12 month period - except as noted above
• Employer size is smaller - Employer size is 25 employees versus 50 employees for the Federal law

Oregon law does not provide for paid leave for all workers.  Nor does the state have any mandated short term disability coverage.

If you are planning a pregnancy consider purchasing short term disability insurance before getting pregnant.  Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceed the premium paid, helping to create maternity leave income and providing a financial cushion to allow you to bond with your baby without worrying about how to pay bills.