Oregon has enacted HB 4127, also known as the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2025. The new law introduces critical protections for warehouse workers, particularly those working under strict quotas in e-commerce and large distribution centers.
Key Provisions of the Oregon Warehouse Worker Protection Act
– Transparent quota requirements: Employers must provide clear, written documentation of quota expectations to warehouse employees. This includes details on how quotas are tracked, monitored, and the potential consequences of failing to meet them.
– Protection of breaks and rest periods: The law prohibits quotas that interfere with legally required meal breaks, rest periods, or safety protocols.
– Anti-retaliation measures: Workers cannot be penalized or retaliated against for taking their breaks or following workplace safety guidelines.
– Data privacy protection: The law establishes rules to protect workers’ data, especially regarding tracking technologies often used to enforce quotas.
Enforcement
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has been tasked with enforcing these regulations. Workers who believe their rights under this law have been violated can file complaints with BOLI for investigation and resolution
Practice Tip
– Provide clear, written documentation of quota expectations, including the number of tasks, timeframe, and performance monitoring methods.
– Regularly review and adjust quotas to ensure compliance with rest periods, meal breaks, and safety standards.
– Communicate performance metrics to employees and ensure transparency about how productivity is tracked.
