Employment Protection
Can I lose my job for reporting for jury service?
No. Under Oregon law, it is unlawful employment practice for your employer to discharge you because of jury service. An employer also may not threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee because of jury service. An employee who is subjected to such actions may bring a civil action or may file a complaint with the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Will my employer pay me while I am on jury service?
Your employer’s personnel policies, or specific employment agreement between you and your employer, will determine whether any compensation is payable to you during jury service. There is no statutory requirement that an employer pay salary or wages during an employee’s jury service
May my employer require me to use my vacation, sick leave, or annual leave for time I spent on jury service?
No. An employer may not require that an employee use vacation leave, sick leave or annual leave for time spent by the employee in responding to a summons for jury duty, and the employer must allow the employee to at least take leave without pay for time spent by the employee in responding to a summons for jury duty. This is your option. An employer commits an unlawful employment practice if the employer denies to an employee the option of taking leave without pay for service as a juror. An employee who is subjected to such action may bring a civil action or may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
What if my employer violates the law? How would I complain about such practice?
To file a complaint under
ORS 659A.820 because your employer committed an unlawful employment practice, you would file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. To file a civil action under
ORS 659A.885 because your employer committed an unlawful employment practice, you would file a civil action in circuit court.