Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) is a state program that allows eligible employees to take paid time off for parental leave. Whether it's for bonding with a new child, caregiving for a family member, or managing a personal medical condition, PLO helps ensure that employees can take time off without sacrificing financial stability. The wage-replacement benefits can supplement company paid parental leave policies and help alleviate the financial burden of taking time off. And unlike other state programs, PLO also can protect an employee’s job and role if they’ve worked for the same employer for at least 90 consecutive days, so here's what you need to know.
PLO is designed to support a variety of family situations. Birthing and non-birthing parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, and caregivers can all apply. If you’re planning to take leave, make sure to notify your employer at least 30 days in advance. You can submit your claim as early as 30 days before your leave begins if you’re planning ahead and the child is already here, but no later than 30 days after your first day you begin your parental leave. This may be difficult to do with an estimated due date.
Claims can be filed online via Frances Online or by calling 833-854-0166. You’ll need medical certification, proof of birth, or placement paperwork before starting your application. What You Need to Apply for Benefits Checklist outlines the documentation and information you will need to file your claim.
Under PLO, you can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a 52-week period, starting from the first day your leave begins. Leave can be taken continuously or intermittently, meaning you can opt for a week at a time or even just a day off as needed. If you’re pregnant, have recently given birth, or have health-related needs due to childbirth, you may be able to take up to 2 additional weeks (up to 14 total weeks).
PLO benefits begin on the first day of your approved leave, with payments issued weekly. Filing your application early (e.g. up to 30 days in advance) can help ensure you receive payments on time, reducing any potential delays. Be prepared for a delay as benefits may not be available immediately, especially if your first day of parental leave is based on an estimated due date. Babies don’t always arrive when expected.
The program offers approximately 65% of your average weekly wage, with a maximum cap set by the state. You can estimate your benefits using the PLO benefits calculator. If you have Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits, your employer may cover the gap between STD payments and PLO benefits according to the company’s paid parental leave policy. Please reach out to your employer’s HR or parental leave policy for more information on what paid parental leave benefits look like for you.
Employers take contributions for PLO out of your wages, so most Oregon employees are eligible to apply for PLO for the arrival of a new child. You can apply for paid leave benefits if you work for an employer in Oregon, earned at least $1,000 in your base year before applying for benefits, and have a qualifying life event (such as the birth or placement of a child).
In addition to paid leave, PLO can also include job protection that runs concurrently with leave laws like the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the state Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). But to be eligible for job protection under the PLO, you must have worked for the same employer for at least 90 consecutive days and your employer must be covered under Oregon’s paid leave laws. For more information about eligibility, it’s a good idea to reach out to your HR department or employer.
To wrap up this overview of PLO, here are a few tips to help you apply for parental leave in Oregon.
Oregon Paid Leave offers valuable support for families and caregivers, ensuring they can focus on what matters most during life's important moments. Be proactive, gather your documents, and take advantage of the program to enjoy the benefits of protected, paid time off. Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
