Oregon Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Oregon's bereavement leave laws, under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), require employers with 25 or more employees to provide eligible workers—those employed at least 180 days and averaging 25 hours per week—with up to two weeks of paid leave per family member's death (maximum four weeks per year) to attend funerals, make arrangements, and grieve, with leave to be used within 60 days of notification.
In Oregon, bereavement leave is governed by the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), which provides eligible employees with protected time off to grieve the loss of a family member. This article outlines the key aspects of bereavement leave in Oregon, including eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and compensation.
What is Paid Bereavement Leave?
Paid bereavement leave refers to compensated time off granted to employees following the death of a family member. This leave allows individuals to attend funerals, make necessary arrangements, and process their grief without financial strain.
Does Oregon Have Bereavement Leave Laws That Differ from Federal Bereavement Leave Laws?
Yes, Oregon distinguishes itself by mandating bereavement leave under state law, whereas federal law does not require employers to provide such leave. Under OFLA, employers with 25 or more employees must offer eligible employees up to two weeks of bereavement leave per family member’s death, with a maximum of four weeks within a 12-month period.
What Counts as a Qualifying Event for Bereavement Leave in Oregon?
Qualifying events for bereavement leave in Oregon include:
- Attending the funeral or alternative ceremony of a family member.
- Making arrangements necessitated by the death of a family member.
- Grieving the death of a family member.
Employees are entitled to take up to two weeks of leave for each family member’s death, and the leave must be completed within 60 days of receiving notice of the family member’s death.
Are There Requirements to be Eligible for Bereavement Leave in Oregon?
To be eligible for bereavement leave under OFLA, an employee must:
- Work for an employer with at least 25 employees in Oregon.
- Have been employed for at least 180 days immediately preceding the leave.
- Have worked an average of at least 25 hours per week during that period.
How Much Bereavement Leave Time are Employees Entitled to in Oregon?
Eligible employees may take up to two weeks of bereavement leave per family member’s death, with a maximum of four weeks within a 12-month period. This leave counts toward the total of 12 weeks of protected leave available under OFLA in a leave year.
Who is Considered Immediate Family for Bereavement Leave in Oregon?
Under OFLA, “family member” includes:
- Spouse or registered domestic partner.
- Child (biological, adopted, stepchild, or foster child).
- Parent (biological, adoptive, stepparent, or foster parent).
- Parent-in-law.
- Grandparent.
- Grandchild.
- A person with whom the employee was or is in a relationship of in loco parentis.
Is Bereavement Leave Required to be a Paid Leave in Oregon?
Employers in Oregon are not required to provide paid bereavement leave. However, employees may use any accrued paid leave, such as vacation, sick, or personal leave, during their bereavement leave. Employers may also establish policies providing for paid bereavement leave at their discretion.
Does Bereavement Leave Have to Be Taken Within a Certain Timeframe in Oregon?
Yes, bereavement leave must be completed within 60 days of the employee receiving notice of the family member’s death. Employees are required to provide oral notice to their employer within 24 hours of beginning the leave and may be asked to provide written confirmation within three days of returning to work.
Who Pays for Paid Bereavement Leave in Oregon?
If an employer offers paid bereavement leave or allows the use of accrued paid leave during bereavement leave, the employer bears the cost. Since there is no state requirement for bereavement leave to be paid, compensation during this period depends on the employer’s policies and the employee’s available accrued leave.
Conclusion
Oregon’s bereavement leave laws under OFLA provide eligible employees with protected time off to mourn the loss of family members. While the leave is generally unpaid, employees may utilize accrued paid leave if available. Employers and employees should familiarize themselves with OFLA provisions to ensure compliance and to support employees during times of loss.
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Illinois Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Illinois's Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA) mandates that eligible employees of covered employers (public or private with 50+ employees) who have worked at least 12 months and 1,250 hours in the prior year are entitled to up to two weeks (10 workdays) of unpaid leave for qualifying events including the death of a covered family member and certain pregnancy- or fertility-related occurrences, providing time off to grieve and manage related matters beyond federal FMLA provisions.
Minnesota Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Minnesota's bereavement leave policies, shaped by state law and employer practices, include the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law effective January 1, 2024, which mandates paid leave for employees to make funeral arrangements, attend services, or handle financial and legal matters related to a deceased family member, distinguishing it from federal laws like FMLA that do not require paid bereavement leave.
Indiana Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Indiana does not have state or federal laws mandating bereavement leave, so policies—including eligibility, qualifying events (typically deaths of immediate or extended family or close personal relations), duration, and compensation—are determined solely by individual employers, who may require documentation and set specific eligibility criteria such as employment status and length of service.
Oklahoma Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
In Oklahoma, state employees are entitled to up to 10 working days of paid bereavement leave charged against their sick leave for the death of an immediate family member or household resident, while private-sector employers are not legally required to provide bereavement leave, leaving such policies to employer discretion.
Montana Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Montana does not have state or federal laws mandating bereavement leave for private-sector employees, leaving such policies to employer discretion, while public sector employees may use accrued sick leave for bereavement related to the death of close family members, with qualifying events and leave details typically defined by employer policies.
California Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
California law mandates that employers with five or more employees provide eligible workers—those employed for at least 30 days—with up to five days of paid bereavement leave per qualifying family member death, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, domestic partners, and parents-in-law, allowing employees to grieve and manage related affairs without financial hardship.