May 16, 2022 3:00 a.m.

Paid Leave Oregon is setting the contribution rate for employers and workers at one percent when in launches in 2023.

A release from the Oregon Employment Department said Paid Leave Oregon will allow workers to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments. It covers leave for the birth or adoption of a child, for serious illness or injury, for taking care of a seriously ill family member and for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment.

Starting January 1st of next year, workers will pay sixty percent and employers will pay forty percent of the contribution rate. Employers may choose to pay the employee portion as a benefit for their employees.

The release said paid leave contributions will go into a trust fund, which in turn, will provide the revenue for the paid leave benefits for workers starting September 3rd, 2023. Oregon law says the Oregon Employment Department Director will set the paid leave contribution rate annually. The law also requires the trust fund to have enough funds to pay benefits for up to six months

Paid Leave Oregon Director Karen Madden Humelbaugh said the contribution rate was set based on actuary data and forecasts at one percent to make sure the program will have enough funds to meet the legal requirements and pay benefits for Oregon workers.

More information about Paid Leave Oregon is at: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/PFMLI/Pages/default.aspx