Most employees have disagreed with their boss or co-workers at some point in their career or had a job that was not the right fit. A hostile workplace, however, is a specific environment where employees are subjected to severe and offensive behavior that can create an...
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Employment Law
Addressing workplace retaliation
If you lose your job, it can be difficult under any circumstances. If your employer fires you because you engaged in a legally protected activity or because you exercised your rights, it may be retaliation. Wrongful termination Wrongful termination based on...
Can I be fired for taking time off to care for a family member?
No matter how much you enjoy your job, sometimes unexpected events, such as the illness or injury of a family member, cause you to take time off. Because sudden illnesses or injuries often come with no set timeframe for recovery, you might not know how long you will...
The impact of an inaccurate performance review
When an employee does their job well, they expect that they will be given a positive performance review and perhaps an increase in salary too. If an employee receives an inaccurate performance review, it can have significant consequences, including termination. Impact...
Is it possible for me to fight my layoff?
Although they hope it never happens to them, Portlanders probably realize that, at most companies, layoffs are part of the operation of the business. From time to time, companies may for a number of reasons choose to eliminate positions even if management does not...
What are my options if I lose my professional job?
Many Portland-area professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and accountants, will sign an employment contract when they agree to take a position. In some professions, like private education for example, the industry standard may be for an employer to have a contract...
Have you been fired for reporting a safety violation?
Oregon is an at-will employment state, which means that your employer can generally fire you for any reason, or no reason at all, at any time. There are exceptions to this rule. Some of these exceptions include if you were fired because of discrimination, in violation...
Examples of wrongful termination in Oregon
Being fired is one of life’s most humiliating and frustrating experiences. A discharged worker may experience a variety of emotions, from anger to sadness to fear about the future and general hopelessness. Despite these depressing emotions, employees in Oregon who...
Addressing harassment in the workplace
Employees can face various types of harassment in the workplace and may not know what to do to address it. This may include discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and retaliation. Harassment overview There are several laws in the U.S. that address workplace...
Can my credit history impact my employment status?
Employers are increasingly assessing employees and candidates for employment’s personal lives more closely. There are times when this is acceptable and times when it is not. For Oregon residents who believe they have been mistreated on the job or when they are...