If you were fired for an illegal reason in Oregon, there are laws in place that can protect you from wrongful termination. Oregon law protects you from discrimination including wrongful termination based on color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age if the individual is at least 18 years old, etc. If your Oregon employer has six or more employees, it may not discriminate on the basis of uniformed service or disability.
What Is Oregon Law That Protects Employees From Wrongful Termination?
The legal definition for wrongful termination in Oregon is any dismissal from a position for which the law states is illegal. In Oregon, most employer-employee relationships are “at will” which means that the employer can hire, discipline, or fire any employee at any time without the need for giving a reason. Federal and Oregon laws protect employees from being discriminated against at work, which means you can’t be terminated or demoted, paid less, or treated differently from other employees because you're a member of a protected class. A “protected class” is when you share a characteristic with other employees such as race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, dress, language, disability, pregnancy, etc.
What Other Laws Protect Oregon Workers From Wrongful Termination?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination including wrongful termination based on disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination including wrongful termination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination based on age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Oregon?
If you have been the victim of wrongful termination in Oregon you can report the act to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries or the EEOC. The two agencies share information so you don’t need to file a wrongful termination complaint with both. Because Oregon doesn’t have its own EEOC office you can file a complaint with Seattle’s office. You should visit the EEOC Public Portal to arrange an intake appointment by telephone or an in-office interview which will take place by video using EEOC office equipment. The Seattle Field Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. You may begin the charge filing process by submitting an inquiry through the EEOC Public Portal.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Oregon Wrongful Termination Claims
Wrongful termination is never easy to prove but if you seek help from an Oregon wrongful termination lawyer you can get the assistance you need to prove you have been a victim of wrongful termination in Oregon. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to help you with your case.
