Effective January 1, 2026, Oregon has amended its Sick Time Law (OSTL) to include a new qualifying reason for leave, blood donation. This change allows employees to use their accrued sick time for donations made as part of a voluntary program accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or the American Red Cross.
Background on Oregon’s Sick Time Law
Under the current Oregon Sick Time Law (OSTL), employees accrue sick time at a minimum rate of one (1) hour for every 30 hours worked. Whether this sick time must be paid or unpaid depends on the size and location of the employer.
Employers with an average of 10 or more employees working anywhere in Oregon are required to provide paid sick time. Those with fewer than 10 employees must provide unpaid sick time.
In cities with a population over 500,000, such as Portland, the threshold is lower. Employers with six or more employees must offer paid sick time, while those with fewer than six employees may provide unpaid sick time.
Next Steps for Employers
To ensure compliance with recent updates to the Oregon Sick Time Law (OSTL), employers should take the following actions by the effective date.
First, update all relevant policies and procedures to explicitly include blood donation as a qualifying reason for sick leave. This ensures that your documentation accurately reflects the expanded rights now available to employees.
Second, inform your workforce about this change. Clear communication will help employees understand their rights and reduce confusion when requesting time off for blood donation.
Finally, provide training for human resources personnel and management. Educating staff on the new provision will help ensure that sick leave requests are administered consistently and in accordance with the law.
