More than 150,000 Oregonians Have Shared $1 Billion in Paid Leave Benefits Over the Last Two Years

Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) has helped employers retain their workforce with payouts totaling $1 billion, providing financial security during times of need.

PLO Strengthens the Economy and Stabilizes Communities

The $1 billion payout reached on Tuesday was a milestone for the PLO. According to the Oregon Employment Department (OED), benefit payments by the PLO since its launch two years ago have helped strengthen the economy and stabilize communities statewide.

The director of the OED, David Gerstenfeld, says more than 150,000 Oregonians have received Paid Leave benefits, a milestone in the state’s commitment to support the Oregon workforce.

Paid Leave Oregon is a wage-replacement benefit program administered by the OED, and its director, Karen Madden Humelbaugh, says the payments ensure that Oregon workers ‘do not have to choose between health, families, and paychecks.’

Humelbaugh says reaching the $1 billion payout is indicative of the stability and strength of PLO, adding that Oregonians can count on PLO ‘to be there for them during life’s most important moments,’ be it illness, the birth of a new baby, or caring for a loved on.

The PLO program is funded by contributions from employers and employees, ensuring a robust and sustainable support system for workers taking paid leave. Payouts also cover incidents such as domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault.

PLO began operating in January 2023, and of the paid leave applications approved, 45% were for medical leave, 28% for welcoming newborns into the family, 14% for caring for a family member with a serious health condition, 12% for maternity leave, and 1% for safety reasons.

The PLO program continues to expand its outreach and services to ensure more workers and businesses use the program when needed. For more information, visit paidleave.oregon.gov. For help, call 503-947-1444 or email [email protected].