Paid leave

Starting next year, workers in California will be entitled to at least five days of paid sick leave — up from the current three days.

Paid Leave Oregon offers up to 12 or 14 weeks of paid time off due to illness, to bond with a new child, or to seek help for domestic or sexual violence. Initial payments for the program are set to go out next week.

State officials predict there will be bumps along the way, with officials planning weekly public updates.

Paid Leave Oregon will offer more Oregonians the ability to take time off for major life events, without losing their jobs or livelihoods.

Supporters say a series of bills before the Legislature would improve work-life balance by expanding sick days and family leave. But opponents say the proposals would hurt struggling small businesses.

Oregonians should see deductions from their paychecks in January. Paid leave benefits are scheduled to roll out in September.

The bill increases leave payments to 90% of paychecks for lower-income workers in 2025, so more of them can afford time off for maternity leave or to care for ill family members.

Caring for babies or family with medical issues takes people away from their jobs. Some, especially the lowest wage earners, don’t get those jobs back. To support care work, Oregon was the ninth state to pass a Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

Low-wage earners who most need paid family leave can’t afford to take time off. A new bill seeks to raise their replacement pay.