Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)

Purpose: To comply with the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) of 1995, as amended effective July 1, 2024.

Policy Statement: The College complies with the OFLA, which provides eligible employees with protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. Under the new legislation, OFLA leave will not run concurrently with Paid Leave Oregon.

Eligibility: Employees who have worked an average of 25 hours per week for 180 days are eligible for OFLA leave. Employers must have at least 25 employees.

1. Leave Reasons: Beginning July 1, 2024, OFLA provides protected time off for the following reasons:
   • Sick Child Leave: To care for a child due to an injury, illness, or condition requiring home care. Sick child leave includes both serious and non-serious health conditions and is available for school and childcare closures due to public health emergencies.
   • Bereavement Leave: Up to 2 weeks per family member, with a maximum of 4 weeks in a given leave year, available within 60 days of learning of a family member’s death.
   • Pregnancy Disability: For the employee’s own pregnancy-related incapacity before or after the birth of the child or for prenatal care, up to 12 additional weeks.
   • Military Family Leave: Up to 14 days per deployment.
   • Child Placement Leave: Up to 2 additional weeks from July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, to facilitate legal processes for placement of a foster child or adoption.
2. Definitions:
   • A “child” includes biological, adopted, foster children, stepchildren, and legal wards under 18 or with a disability.
   • A “parent” includes biological, foster, or adoptive parents, stepparents, parent-in-law, or legal guardians.
3. Leave Duration: OFLA leave is capped at:
   • 12 weeks for sick child leave and bereavement.
   • 12 weeks for pregnancy disability.
   • 2 additional weeks for child placement leave.
4. Employee Benefits: Employees will continue to be eligible for health insurance benefits while on OFLA leave. Upon returning, they must be reinstated to their former job or a similar position if their old job no longer exists.
5. Procedures:
   • Employees must be notified in writing if OFLA will not cover their leave approved for July 1 or later.
   • If leave is for a sick child, employees may need to provide documentation regarding their child’s condition.
   • Employers must inform employees of their eligibility for Paid Leave Oregon for any leave not covered by OFLA.

Approved by the Executive Council, August 28, 1998

Revised on 3/21/2023

Revised on 10/29/2014