Oregon Extends Protections to Registered Apprentices and On-the-Job Training Workers

Oregon has enacted legislation (House Bill 3307), which extends certain workplace protections to registered apprentices and those in private employer on-the-job training programs. House Bill 3307 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The details

As background, Oregon law provides employees and interns with civil rights, nondiscrimination and antiharassment protections in the workplace. Additionally, federal law prohibits discrimination against workers in registered apprenticeships.

Covered employers

House Bill 3307 covers a business that:

• Employs or engages the services of an individual.
• Reserves the right to control how the individual's services are (or will be) performed; and
• Sponsors or agrees to provide training under a qualified on-the-job training program.

Extended worker protections

The same civil rights, nondiscrimination and antiharassment protections that exist under current law (for employees and interns) will apply to:

• Participants in registered apprenticeship programs; or
• Workers in a private employer's on-the-job training program. This is provided that the participant receives paid work experience at an agreed-upon rate from their employer and that the program:

Exceptions

The law does not:

• Cover on-the-job training programs that are administered or operated by the Department of Corrections or Oregon Corrections Enterprises.
• Create an employment relationship (for purposes of wage and hour laws, occupational safety and health laws, or workers' or unemployment compensation); and
• Provide rights under the Oregon Family Leave Act, Paid Leave Oregon or other leave laws.

Next steps

• Review and update nondiscrimination and antiharassment policies and procedures.
• Train supervisors on the changes under House Bill 3307.