ARA-3.06 - Leaves

CHAPTER I:  DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this rule, unless the context or applicable law require otherwise:

1. “Catastrophic illness” means:
   1. For an employee: A non-occupational illness, injury, or physical or mental condition of such serious nature as to require a long-term absence from work. While a chronic illness or injury that results in intermittent absences from work may be considered catastrophic, eligibility for catastrophic leave under such circumstances is determined on a case by case basis.
   2. For a family member of an employee: An illness, injury, or physical or mental condition that is of such serious nature as to require long-term and/or full-time care by the employee.
2. “Disaster” is defined by Oregon law (ORS 401.378) or when applicable, by another U.S. state or territory.
3. “Domestic Partnership” means registered domestic partnership under state law, or a partnership satisfying the following criteria:
   Employees must file either an Affidavit of Benefit Eligible Dependent Status or a Statement of Domestic Partnership for Non-Health Benefits to receive City benefits such as catastrophic leave, bereavement leave, or family medical leave for their domestic partner. The Auditor’s Office recognizes domestic partnerships without regard to the sex or gender of the partners.
   1. Both partners are 18 years of age or older and share the same permanent address and household;
   2. Each partner is the other’s exclusive domestic partner and intends to remain so for the rest of their life;
   3. Neither partner is married to anyone else;
   4. The partners are not blood related to a degree that would bar marriage in their state of permanent residence;
   5. Both partners were mentally competent to enter a contract when the domestic partnership began; and
   6. The partners are jointly responsible for their common welfare, including the providing and/or payment of basic living expenses such as food, shelter and other life necessities.
4. “Family member” means:
   1. For purposes of protected sick time (unpaid): The employee’s spouse, domestic partner, custodial parent, non-custodial parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, biological parent, stepparent, parent-in-law (including the parent of a domestic partner), grandparent or grandchild, or a person with whom the employee is or was in a relationship of “in loco parentis.” “Family member” also includes the biological child, adopted child, foster child, or stepchild of an employee or the employee’s domestic partner. An employee’s child in any of these categories may be either a minor or an adult at the time protected sick time is taken.
   2. For purposes of catastrophic leave, sick leave (paid), and leave to address domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking: The employee’s spouse, domestic partner, custodial parent, noncustodial parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, biological parent, stepparent, parent-in-law, a parent of an employee’s domestic partner, an employee’s grandparent or grandchild, or a person with whom the employee is or was in a relationship of in loco parentis, and individuals related by close affinity, including relationships such as unmarried partners, household members, “chosen family,” and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship. “Family member” also includes the biological, adopted, foster child or stepchild of an employee or the child of an employee’s domestic partner. An employee’s child in any of these categories may be either a minor or an adult at the time qualifying leave pursuant to these rules is taken.
5. “Health care provider” means a health care professional who meets the definition of attending physician in Oregon workers’ compensation laws.
6. “Industrial accident leave” and “workers’ compensation supplement” mean a paid income supplement payable to eligible employees for injuries or diseases that are accepted under the provisions of Oregon workers’ compensation law. The leave / supplement is paid in addition to temporary disability benefits for those days an employee is authorized by the employee’s attending physician to be off work as a result of an accepted workers’ compensation claim.
7. “In loco parentis” mean a relationship similar to that of a parent, in which a person has day-to-day responsibilities to care for or financially support a child.
8. “Medically stationary” means that no further material improvement would reasonably be expected from medical treatment or the passage of time. An entitlement to workers’ compensation supplemental benefits ends upon reaching medically stationary status.
9. “Pattern of abuse” includes but is not limited to repeated use of unscheduled sick time on or adjacent to weekends, holidays, vacation days, or paydays.
10. “Qualified emergency worker” means Emergency Coordination Center and Bureau Operations Center responders, as well as other City employees with specialized skills or training needed in an emergency.
11. “Sick leave” means an employee benefit that compensates an employee during an absence from work for an authorized reason, at the employee’s regular rate of pay, without reductions in other employee benefits.
    • For workers’ compensation purposes: “Sick Leave” means the equivalent to an employee’s full wages that are payable to the employee in accordance with Chapter V:  Sick Leave and Protected Sick Time for injuries and illnesses that are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
12. “Sick time” or “protected sick time” means an unpaid absence from work for an authorized reason, without a reduction in other employee benefits. An employee may not be disciplined for using protected sick time in accordance with this rule.
13. “Temporary disability benefits” means workers’ compensation benefits paid by the City’s Risk Management Division for lost wages pursuant Oregon law (ORS Chapter 656 – Workers’ Compensation).
14. “Workers' compensation-related leave” means retroactive payments or payroll made by the Auditor’s Office after a claim has been accepted, which are not charged against the employee’s workers’ compensation supplement credits, for the following authorized absences:
    1. The first three days following an injury or illness claimed as a workers’ compensation claim.
    2. Periods of up to four hours of absence to attend any one medical appointment for a medical condition accepted under a workers’ compensation claim that has been verified by the health care provider.

CHAPTER II: GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVES OF ABSENCE; REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION LEAVE

A. General Leaves of Absence

The City Auditor may grant an Auditor’s Office employee a leave of absence upon a showing of good cause.

1. No employee may be granted a general leave of absence for more than 12 months in any five-year period. Unless otherwise required by law, a leave of absence for a general or personal reason may be no more than 12 months from the beginning date of the approved leave.
2. For a general or personal leave of absence, there are no automatic position return guarantees. The City Auditor may, however, hold the employee’s position open pending their return at the conclusion of the leave of absence. The commitment for such a “held” position must be in writing, signed by the City Auditor, and provided before the general leave of absence commences.
3. Employees must exhaust all appropriate accrued leave before going on unpaid leave, except in accordance with Chapter VI: Family Medical Leave and Chapter IX: Military Leave. 

B. Temporary Leaves of Absence During an Emergency or Fiscal Crisis

Consistent with the City’s Safety Net Program’s Temporary Leave Program, during an emergency or fiscal crisis, the City Auditor may enter into written agreements with Auditor’s Office employees to allow such employees to take temporary, extended unpaid leave, with continued healthcare coverage paid by the Auditor’s Office for up to 12 months.

1. An employee taking a temporary leave of absence pursuant to this Section is not required to exhaust accrued leave prior to going on unpaid leave.
2. An employee must have Division Director approval to enter into an agreement for a temporary leave of absence. The City Auditor, in conjunction with the Division Director and employee, will determine the duration of the temporary leave.
3. The City Auditor may agree, in writing, to hold the employee’s position open pending their return at the conclusion of the leave of absence.
4. At any time during a temporary leave of absence, the Auditor’s Office may recall the employee to work. Failure to return to work as directed shall be considered a voluntary separation from City service.

C. Administrative Leave

The City Auditor may place an employee on administrative leave for up to 60 calendar days to remove the employee from the workplace due to concerns about workplace safety or during an investigation that may lead to termination.

1. The City Auditor may approve administrative leave for up to 10 calendar days during the seven-day notice period prior to the effective date of a proposed termination.
2. The City Auditor may also grant administrative leave for up to 3 days to provide physical, emotional or psychological support in response to an atypical and rare incident that occurs while the employee is at work, and when the incident temporarily and significantly interferes with an employee’s ability to perform their normal job functions. The City Auditor shall not extend this type of paid administrative leave beyond three days. This type of paid administrative leave is subject to supervisory discretion and may or may not be granted in response to atypical work incidents. When granted, it must be taken immediately following the circumstances necessitating such leave.
3. Administrative leave will not be extended unless approved by the City Auditor.   
4. Under some limited circumstances, administrative leave may be unpaid. Any unpaid administrative leave must be approved by the City Auditor.
5. Placement of an employee on administrative leave is not a disciplinary action.

D. Reasonable Accommodation Leave

1. If an employee needs leave for a qualifying health condition, it is strongly recommended that the employee the employee first use Family Medical Leave, if eligible.
2. If an employee’s Family Medical Leave is exhausted and additional leave is needed, or if an employee is ineligible for Family Medical Leave, Operations Management may approve a leave of absence as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the process in Auditor’s Office Administrative Rule 3.02 – Equal Employment, Chapter IV: Reasonable Employment Accommodations.  As part of the interactive process required to approve reasonable accommodation leave, Operations Management will engage relevant stakeholders, on an as-needed basis, as provided in Rule 3.02.
3. An employee on ADA reasonable accommodation leave must exhaust all appropriate accrued paid leave before going on unpaid leave. Employees may not reserve paid leave accruals for future use.
4. Before returning to work, an employee on ADA reasonable accommodation leave must provide a release to work letter from their medical provider. If the medical provider notes work restrictions, Operations Management will engage in an interactive process with the employee to determine whether the work restrictions can be reasonably accommodated.
5. The Auditor’s Office will provide employment protection for an employee using ADA reasonable accommodation leave to the extent required by the law.
6. An employee on ADA reasonable accommodation leave may not work elsewhere, including volunteer activities, without prior approval from Operations Management.
7. An employee using approved ADA reasonable accommodation leave is not subject to progressive discipline, negative ratings in a performance evaluation, or other adverse employment actions for use of the leave, because the employee requested ADA leave, or because the employee is or is perceived to be disabled. However, employees using ADA reasonable accommodation leave are still subject to nondiscriminatory employment actions, such as discipline or a layoff, which would have been taken without regard to the employee’s leave.

E. Separation from Employment

1. An employee granted a general leave of absence or administrative leave will be considered separated from the City as a voluntary quit if there is no vacant position to return to at the expiration of the leave, unless the City Auditor agreed to hold their position open in accordance with Section A or Section B. This provision does not apply to employees who are granted ADA reasonable accommodation leave.
2. Any employee who fails to return to duty at the end of their approved general or administrative leave will also be treated as a voluntary quit. If the original general or administrative leave of absence was approved for less than 12 months, the City Auditor may approve an extension, in writing, if the total leave does not exceed 12 months.
3. Any employee wishing to return after separation may pursue reinstatement, if applicable, or hire through the competitive process.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.01 – General and Administrative Leaves of Absence. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised January 10, 2024.

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER III: HOLIDAYS

A. Observed Holidays

1. The Auditor’s Office observes the following holidays as paid holidays:

2. The Auditor’s Office will remain open the day preceding any holiday, except the Friday after Thanksgiving Day or when the holiday is on a Monday. Employees who wish to have additional time off around a holiday must use vacation or other accrued leave, in accordance with Auditor’s Office rules.

B. Rolling (Weekend) Holidays

Four holidays are considered rolling holidays when they fall on a Saturday or a Sunday and the City observes them on the prior Friday or following Monday: Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veteran’s Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  The City observes rolling holidays on the prior Friday or following Monday.

1. For employees who work Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off: If a rolling holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday before the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such. If a rolling holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be considered a holiday and paid as such.
2. For employees who have variable workweek schedules, with either Friday or Monday as a regular day off: If a rolling holiday falls on the employee’s first scheduled day off, the day before the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such. If a rolling holiday falls on the employee’s second scheduled day off, the first scheduled workday after the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such.
3. For employees with other variable workweek schedules: If a rolling holiday falls on the employee’s first scheduled day off, the day before the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such. If a rolling holiday falls on the employee’s second or third scheduled day off, the first scheduled workday after the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such.
4. For job-share and part-time employees who have either Friday or Monday as regular days off: If a rolling holiday falls on the employee’s first scheduled day off, the day before the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such. If the rolling holiday falls on the employee’s second scheduled day off, then the first scheduled workday after the rolling holiday will be considered a holiday and paid as such.

C. Holiday Pay

1. If an employee’s scheduled day off falls on a holiday that is not a rolling holiday listed in Section B, the employee will receive a deferred paid holiday, to be taken at the mutual convenience of the employee and their supervisor. Employees may carry over up to two deferred holidays. Any deferred holidays over two not taken as of the end of the first pay period in January will be forfeited.
2. Holiday pay will correspond to the employee’s regular work schedule. For example, if an employee is scheduled to work ten hours on a holiday, the holiday pay will be ten hours; if an employee is scheduled to work four hours on a holiday, the holiday pay will be four hours.

D. Employees Not Eligible for Holiday Pay; Job Sharing and Part-Time Employees

1. Retirees, and temporary and seasonal employees appointed less than two weeks before a holiday, are not eligible for holiday pay.
2. Benefits-eligible employees who share a budgeted full-time position and serve for 40 hours each pay period may receive four hours of compensation for each observed holiday.
3. Permanent part-time employees may receive prorated holiday pay or prorated deferred holiday hours. Compensation is based on an employee’s average weekly work hours.

E. Compensation for Work on Holidays

1. Employees who are classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act should not be directed or authorized to work on a holiday, except in unusual circumstances in which their presence at work is critical. Exempt employees who work on a holiday will receive a deferred holiday.
2. An employee who is covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (non-exempt) and who is required to work on a holiday is entitled to holiday premium pay at one and one half times their regular rate of pay for actual time on the job, plus pay for eight hours at the regular rate.

F. Deferred Holidays

1. A deferred holiday must be taken at the mutual convenience of the employee and their supervisor. Any deferred holidays over two not taken as of the end of the first pay period in January will be forfeited. An employee who leaves City employment for any reason will not receive pay for unused deferred holidays.
2. When an employee is transferred permanently, by promotion or otherwise, from the Auditor’s Office to a City bureau or to the Auditor’s Office from a City bureau, any deferred holidays become the obligation of the office to which the employee transfers.

G. Personal Holidays

1. Full-time employees are entitled to three personal holidays (24 hours) per year, in addition to observed holidays. No employee may receive more than three personal holidays in one calendar year. New employees will be credited with three personal holidays after 30 days of continuous service.
2. Benefits eligible permanent part-time employees and job share employees who serve for 40 hours each pay period may receive 12 hours of personal holiday time after 173 hours of continuous job sharing or part time employment.
3. Personal holidays are maintained in a separate quota account and will be added to each eligible employee’s personal holiday account at the end of the first pay period in January of each year.
4. A personal holiday may be scheduled, at the mutual convenience of the employee and the Division, after a continuous City service period of not less than 30 days (or corollary length of time for part-time and job share employees), through the last pay period of the calendar year. Personal holidays must be used in the year accrued and cannot be carried over to the next calendar year.
5. An employee who leaves City employment for any reason will not receive pay for unused personal holidays.

H. Veterans Entitled to Veterans Day Off

Eligible veterans who are otherwise scheduled to work on Veterans Day may request the day off. Such requests must be made at least 21 calendar days prior to the holiday and must include documents showing that the veteran is eligible for Veterans Day off.

1. To be eligible for Veterans Day off, a veteran must have served on active duty in the Armed Services for at least six months and received a discharge under honorable circumstances. Service in the reserves or National Guard does not qualify unless the veteran was deployed or served on active duty for at least six months.
2. The eligible veteran’s supervisor must respond to the request at least 14 days prior to Veterans Day. The response must state whether the request is being granted and whether the day off will be paid or unpaid.
   1. The supervisor may not deny the request except on a showing of significant disruption or undue hardship.
   2. If denied, the veteran is entitled to another day off within the year.
3. Pay status for the day off is governed by this rule.

I. Religious Observances

1. Managers should attempt to accommodate employee requests to be away from work for religious holiday observances. Such time off must be charged to vacation, a personal holiday, management leave, or compensatory time off, or if no leave available, as unpaid leave.
2. The Auditor’s Office is not required to make an accommodation if to do so would result in undue hardship for the office or its employees. The Auditor’s Office will consult with legal counsel in making a determination that an undue hardship exists.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.02 - Holidays. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised September 30, 2020 (under Ordinance No. 190008).

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER IV: VACATION

A.General

1. Eligible Auditor’s Office employees accrue vacation leave from the first day of employment. Vacation leave accrues biweekly, in conformity with the payroll period.
2. With supervisor approval, accrued vacation leave may be taken in accordance with this rule and Division work rules. While on vacation leave, Auditor’s Office employees may not perform service for the Auditor’s Office for compensation in any other capacity.
3. No person employed on a seasonal basis, temporarily employed in a non-budgeted position, or employed as a consultant or expert on a contract basis may accrue vacation leave.

B. Computing Vacation Leave

1. The rate of vacation leave accrual depends on the employee’s years of total service for the City, whether or not consecutive. In addition, a newly hired employee will be credited for relevant prior professional experience. Total service for the City includes:

   1. Time taken while on leave of absence without pay for military service or family medical leave.
   2. Time under temporary appointment considered upon permanent appointment to City service and employment by Prosper Portland.
   3. Any continuous absence because of injury in the line of duty. 

   Except as provided in Subsection B(1)(c), total service excludes time in City service for which an employee receives pension benefits.

2. If an employee will attain a number of years of total service in a calendar year, then beginning on January 1 of that year, the employee's vacation leave will accrue at the rate indicated on the vacation appropriation schedule for those years of total service.
   • Example: A full-time employee who will attain three years of service in October 2020 will accrue 4.77 hours of vacation per pay period beginning on January 1, 2020.
3. The vacation appropriation schedule for full-time employees is set forth in Section C. Part time employees who serve at least 40 hours but less than 72 hours per pay period accrue pro-rated vacation leave in accordance with the percentage of full-time work.
4. Benefits eligible job-share employees who share a full-time position and serve for 36-40 hours each pay period accrue one-half the vacation leave accrual rates indicated for full time employees in the vacation appropriation schedule. For part-time and benefits eligible job-share employees, the progression to higher accrual rates is based on years of total service, as indicated for full time employees in the vacation appropriation schedule, without regard to actual hours worked.

C. Vacation Appropriation Schedule – Full-Time Employees (effective 1/10/2019)

D. Vacation Leave Use and Carry-Over

1. Full-time employees may use vacation leave after one month of continuous employment. Part-time employees may use vacation leave after 173 hours of continuous part-time employment. Benefits eligible job-share employees may use vacation leave after 173 hours of continuous job-sharing employment.
2. Employees are expected to take vacation leave during the calendar year in which the leave is earned, or during the calendar year following the year in which the leave was earned. Vacation leave may be accumulated up to a maximum of two year’s earnings as of the end of the first pay period in January (the accrual amount is based on the employee’s accrual rate at the end of the first pay period in January).

E. Separation from Service; Transfers

1. All accrued, unused vacation leave must be paid out, as part of the final paycheck, to an employee who leaves City service for any reason. Employees who are leaving City service may not elect to use accrued vacation leave, instead of having their vacation leave paid out, to extend their employment with the City. For example, if an employee states they wish to resign at some date in the future but use accrued vacation leave until that date, the request must be denied.
2. When an employee is transferred permanently, by promotion or otherwise, from the Auditor’s Office to a City bureau or to the Auditor’s Office from a bureau, the employee's vacation leave becomes the obligation of the office to which the employee transfers.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.03 – Vacation. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised February 13, 2019 (under Ordinance No. 189300).

CHAPTER V: SICK LEAVE AND PROTECTED SICK TIME

A. Purpose

The Auditor’s Office provides time off for employees for certain health-related reasons, in accordance with City Code, Auditor’s Office administrative rules, and state and federal laws. This rule and Chapter VI: Family Medical Leave highlight the requirements that apply to such absences. In the event of any conflict between this rule and applicable law, the law will apply.

This rule is consistent with City Human Resources Rule 6.04 (b) – Sick Leave (covering sick leave) and City Human Resources Rule 6.04 (a) – Sick Leave (covering protected sick time), but combines and summarizes the City rules for easier reference.

B. Sick Leave (Paid) and Protected Sick Time (Unpaid) - General Rules

1. Employees must follow Division rules for reporting absences.
2. When an employee uses sick leave or protected sick time for a foreseeable absence:
   1. The employee must provide advance notice of the planned absence as soon as practical.
   2. The employee must make a reasonable effort to schedule the absence in a manner that does not unduly disrupt Auditor’s Office operations.
3. The use of sick leave or sick time is prohibited when an employee is unable to perform work because of the use of alcohol, cannabis, or an illegal drug not prescribed by a licensed physician. Sick leave or sick time may be authorized for absences because of a documented illness or treatment resulting from the misuse of alcohol or drugs.
4. An absence because of an injury not in the line of duty will be treated as an absence because of sickness.
5. Employees with accrued and unused sick leave or sick time may be medically laid off in accordance with Auditor’s Office Administrative Rule 3.07 – Employee Movement, Chapter VI: Medical Layoff.
6. No employee using sick leave or sick time may engage in other employment during the absence, without the prior written approval of the City Auditor. Engaging in other employment while on sick leave or sick time or without approval will be considered an abuse of sick leave and may subject the employee to disciplinary action.

C. Accruing Sick Leave (Paid)

1. Benefits-eligible Auditor’s Office employees begin to accrue paid sick leave on their first day of employment.
   1. Employees assigned to a 40-hour workweek accrue sick leave at the rate of four hours per biweekly payroll period (104 hours per year).
   2. Benefits-eligible part-time employees who serve at least 40 hours but less than 72 hours each pay period accrue pro-rated sick leave in accordance with the percentage of full-time work.
   3. Benefits-eligible job-share employees who share a budgeted full-time position and serve a minimum of 36-40 hours each pay period accrue sick leave at one-half the full-time rate.
2. Seasonal appointments and persons employed as consultants on a contract basis are not entitled to sick leave. Seasonal appointments may be entitled to use unpaid protected sick time.
3. Employees do not accrue sick leave for working overtime or for any shift off without pay, except as provided for under workers’ compensation.
4. Unused accrued sick leave is not paid to an employee when the employee separates from City employment.
5. A City employee who is laid off or resigns and is subsequently re-employed within three years is entitled to credit for all sick leave accrued up to the date of the layoff or resignation. Sick leave does not accrue during the period between a layoff or resignation and reemployment.
   1. An employee who is re-employed after a layoff or resignation of more than three years is not entitled to credit for sick leave accrued during prior City service.
   2. An employee who is re-employed after retirement or discharge is not entitled to credit for sick leave accrued during prior City service.
6. An employee who transfers or is promoted to another full-time City position on the following workday is entitled to all sick leave accrued to the date of such transfer or promotion.
7. Sick leave accrues during the first 12 months of continuous absence because of an injury in the line of duty. If a person on a non-service connected disability status receives Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund benefits and vacation benefits simultaneously, no additional sick leave accrues during the period for which vacation benefits are received.

D. Using Sick Leave (Paid)

Eligible employees may use available sick leave accruals, in the amount equivalent to the time the employee is absent from scheduled duty, as follows:

1. Sick leave may be used:
   • Full-time employees: After 30 days of full-time employment
   • Part-time employees: After 173 hours of continuous part -time employment
   • Job-Sharing Employees: After 173 hours of continuous job-sharing employment.

A part-time or job-share employee who is not yet eligible to use sick leave may be entitled to use unpaid protected sick time.

2. An employee may use accrued sick leave for absences:
   1. For the employee’s own:
      • Mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition
      • Need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition
      • Need for preventive medical care.
   2. To recover from or seek treatment for a health condition of the employee that renders the employee unable to perform at least one of the essential functions of the employee’s regular position.
   3. To care for a family member who is the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, or other person for whom the employee is legal guardian, who has a:
      • Mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition;
      • Need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; or
      • Need for preventive medical care.
3. An employee may not use sick leave for an absence on account of sickness or injury during a period designated in advance for vacation, except upon a determination by the City Auditor that the injury or illness was of a serious nature. The employee must notify their supervisor as soon as possible of the injury or illness and request the use of sick leave instead of vacation leave.

E. Verifying Sick Leave (Paid)

1. A manager or supervisor may require a certificate from a treatment provider verifying an employee’s need for sick leave on an employee’s third consecutive day of absence of account of sickness.
2. On an employee’s fourth consecutive day of absence on account of sickness, a manager or supervisor may inquire as to whether the absence may qualify as family medical leave. SeeChapter VI: Family Medical Leave.
3. Except as provided for in Chapter VI:  Family Medical Leave, an employee who uses dependent care leave on more than three occasions in a calendar year may be required to provide a medical certification for all subsequent use of sick child leave in the calendar year.
4. A manager or supervisor suspecting sick leave abuse may require a treatment provider’s note before sick leave may be used. Each treatment provider’s certification must be evaluated and approved or disapproved by the employee’s supervisor.

F. Collecting Third Party Damages (Paid Sick Leave)

In accordance with Charter Section 2-608, Auditor’s Office employees who collect damages for off-the-job injuries must reimburse the City from the damages recovered for any sick leave used as a result of such injuries. Operations Management will notify injured employees, in writing, of their obligations under this rule. The notification must state:

1. If damages are collected from a third person through a court action or settlement, the employee is obligated to repay the City the total amount paid to the employee by the City for any sick leave paid because of the employee’s injury by the third person, up to the amount collected from the third party. Such repayment must be made to the City Treasurer.
   1. Failure to make such reimbursement to the City is cause for disciplinary action.
   2. In no event will an employee be obligated to repay the City any monies in excess of the amount of monies collected from the third person for such time loss.
2. Upon reimbursement, sick leave previously charged will be credited to the employee for future use, to the extent such repayment represents gross wages paid. No other adjustments to previous payroll records may be made.
3. Any monies collected by the City Treasurer pursuant to this rule will be credited to the fund that was charged for the sick leave involved.

G. Accruing Protected Sick Time (Unpaid)

Oregon law guarantees all workers up to 40 hours of protected but unpaid sick time per calendar year.

1. Sick time begins to accrue on the first day of employment, and employees earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked.  However, Auditor’s Office employees who accrue paid sick leave at a higher rate in accordance with Section C also accrue protected sick time at that same higher rate, and the first 40 hours of sick leave accrued per calendar year is protected sick time.
   • NOTE: Independent contractors, and students working for the Auditor’s Office through a work-study program by a secondary or post-secondary educational institution or qualified vocational training program, are not considered “employees” for purposes of sick time.
2. Sick time is protected time, but is not paid. Unused accrued sick time is not paid to an employee when the employee separates from City employment.
3. A City employee who leaves employment and becomes re-employed within 180 days of separation is entitled to credit for up to 40 hours of sick time that was accrued but unused during their prior City service. Any employee who is re-employed after 180 days of separation is not entitled to credit for previously accrued, unused sick time.

H. Using Protected Sick Time (Unpaid)

1. An employee may use accrued protected sick time after 30 days of full-time employment, or after 90 days of employment less than full-time.
   1. If a new employee takes time off for health-related reasons before reaching the 31^st / 91^st day of employment, as applicable, the time off is not protected and is subject to Auditor’s Office and Division attendance policies. However, the time off may be protected as family medical leave or under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
   2. A City employee who leaves employment and becomes re-employed within 180 days of separation will receive credit toward the 30 / 90-day eligibility requirements for the entire period of previous employment.
2. An employee may use accrued protected sick time:
   1. For the same reasons as sick leave (Section D).
   2. To care for an infant or newly adopted child under 18 years of age, for a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or for an adopted or foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability, as long as the absence is completed within 12 months after the birth or placement of the child.
   3. To deal with the death of a family member by:
      • Attending the funeral or alternative to a funeral of the family member
      • Making arrangements necessitated by the death of the family member
      • Grieving the death of the family member
      • NOTE: In certain circumstances, upon the death of a family member, an employee may be eligible for Funeral and Bereavement Leave (Chapter XI: Funeral and Bereavement Leave) and/or leave under the Oregon Family Leave Act (Chapter VI: Family Medical Leave).
   4. For certain purposes related to domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, in accordance with Oregon law (ORS 659A.272).
   5. Due to a public health emergency, in accordance with Oregon law (ORS 653.616(6)).

I. Verifying Protected Sick Time (Unpaid)

Medical verification of an employee’s need for protected sick time may only be required if:

1. The employee takes more than three consecutively scheduled workdays of sick time.
2. The need for sick time is foreseeable and is projected to last more than three consecutively scheduled workdays.
3. The employee commences sick time without providing notice required by the Division’s attendance rules.
4. The Division manager or supervisor has sufficient evidence to suspect that an employee is abusing sick time, including engaging in a pattern of abuse, regardless of whether the employee has used sick time for more than three consecutive working days. Abuse of sick time is not protected time.

J. Protected Sick Time: Discrimination and Retaliation Prohibited

No employee may suffer discrimination or retaliation for requesting or using protected sick time, or for complaining that they are not receiving protected sick time as required by Oregon law.

1. The Auditor’s Office encourages employees to bring any concerns or complaints about compliance with this rule or Oregon’s protected sick time law to the attention of their Division manager or supervisor, Operations Management, or the City Auditor.
2. Employees may file a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) if they are denied sick time or are retaliated against for requesting or taking protected sick time. 

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6. 04(a) – Sick Leave. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised June 14, 2023 (Ordinance No. 191325).

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.04(b) – Sick Leave. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised June 14, 2023 (Ordinance No. 191325).

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER VI: PAID AND PROTECTED, OREGON AND FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVES

The Auditor’s Office adopts HRAR 6.05 regarding “Paid and Protected, Oregon and Family Medical Leave” in its entirety with the following modifications.

1. The following definitions are changed:
   • “City of Portland” should be read as “City of Portland, including the Auditor’s Office,” except in reference to “City of Portland City Code”;
   • “City” should be read as “Auditor’s Office;”
   • “Bureau of Human Resources” should be read as “Auditor’s Office Business Operations Manager;”
   • “Bureau of Human Resources Director” should be read as “City Auditor;”
   • “Bureau FMLA Coordinator” should be read as “Auditor’s Office FMLA Coordinator,” and
   • “Human Resources Business partners” should be read as “Business Operations.”

This Chapter was adapted from:

CHAPTER VII: SUPPLEMENTAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS

A. Purpose; Applicability

1. The purpose of this rule is to provide additional benefits to eligible Auditor’s Office employees with accepted workers’ compensation claims. These are benefits that the City has chosen to provide in addition to benefits provided under Oregon’s workers' compensation laws.
2. Employees covered under the Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund’s disability provisions, consultants not on the Auditor’s Office payroll, and temporary employees employed through a temporary agency are not covered by this rule.

B. Employee Responsibility

An injured employee is responsible for claiming compensation. The employee or their representative must give notice of the accident and provide an incident report to Operations Management as soon as possible and file a claim with the City’s Risk Management Division. A claim is considered filed upon Risk Management's receipt of a completed Form 801 (State of Oregon Workers' and Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Disease) or Form 827 (First Medical Report), which includes the employee's signature and date.

C. Exhaustion of Accrued Leave

An employee must exhaust all forms of accrued paid leave, except for accrued compensatory time, before electing leave without pay during any period for which workers' compensation benefits are not paid by Risk Management due to a work-related injury or illness. This includes the first three days following an injury or illness claimed as a workers’ compensation claim.

D. Workers’ Compensation Supplement / Industrial Accident Leave

Supplemental workers’ compensation benefits for eligible Auditor’s Office employees will be calculated and paid in accordance with City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.13 – Supplemental Workers’ Compensation Benefits.

E. Reimbursement of Overpaid Employee Benefits

1. If the City pays an employee more than one of the benefits defined in this rule for the same day, and as a result the employee is paid more than their regular wage, the amount of overpayment will be recovered by the City under Oregon law (ORS 652.610) as a credit against future salary payments.
2. No employee should receive full wages in paid sick leave while also receiving time loss payments and/or supplemental pay on a workers' compensation claim. If an employee is paid sick leave benefits for any period of time that Risk Management has also paid time loss benefits, the employee must pay the sick leave back to the Auditor’s Office.
3. If any sick leave benefits paid for any period of time are converted by the Auditor’s Office to paid time off that is not deducted from the employee’s sick leave or vacation benefits, Risk Management is not required to pay time loss benefits for that period of time. Time loss paid for such periods may be recovered by Risk Management as an overpayment of time loss benefits.

F. Damages from a Third Party

If an employee collects damages from a third party for an on-the-job injury or disease for which the City has paid any benefits under its workers’ compensation program or other benefits outlined in this rule, the City will have a lien on any recovery of damages as provided under Oregon law (ORS Chapter 656). Any supplemental pay made on the claim will be included in the City's lien.

G. Vacation and Sick Leave Credits Continue

Vacation and sick leave credits may accrue to an employee during the first 12 months of continuous absence because of a claim accepted by Risk Management.

H. Leave in Excess of Maximum Accrual Hours

An employee may carry over unused vacation to the next calendar year if due to an accepted claim they were unable to take vacation leave during a year. The excess may be used after returning to work or carried on the leave account until the end of the calendar year, at which time any excess vacation will be forfeited. However, if an on-the job injury or disease results in a disability retirement, resignation, or medical layoff, the employee will only be paid for such accrued vacation up to the one-year maximum accrual.

I. Health Benefits

Full or part-time employees eligible for benefits who file a workers’ compensation claim under ORS Chapter 656 will, upon acceptance of the claim, be entitled to medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits for a maximum of 12 months, on the same terms and conditions, if any, that existed for the employee immediately prior to the filing of the claim. The 12-month period begins to run on the first day of temporary total disability paid by Risk Management, and continues to run continuously thereafter, regardless of whether the employee is working during all or any part of the 12-month period. Each employee with an accepted claim is entitled to only one 12-month period per claim regardless of the length of treatment, the necessity for time loss, or the occurrence of aggravations during the life of the claim.

J. Automatic Leave of Absence While Receiving Time Loss Benefits

Barring resignation or dismissal from City service, an employee will be considered to be on an automatic leave of absence during any period for which the employee is receiving time loss benefits from the City. Leaves of absence on termination of time loss benefits is governed by Chapter II: General and Administrative Leaves of Absence; Reasonable Accommodation Leave.

K. Seniority Accrual

An employee will continue to receive seniority credit when on time loss for an accepted claim.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.13 – Supplemental Workers’ Compensation Benefits. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised April 17, 2009.

CHAPTER VIII: CATASTROPHIC LEAVE

A. Purpose

Catastrophic leave is a leave-sharing program intended to allow City employees to assist other employees who, because of personal nonoccupational catastrophic illness or the catastrophic illness of a family member, expect to be on leave and whose absence will result in a substantial loss of pay. Auditor’s Office employees may donate or receive accrued sick leave and/or vacation hours in accordance with the Citywide requirements set forth in City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.06 – Catastrophic Leave and the Auditor’s Office procedures set forth in this rule.

B. Solicitation of Catastrophic Leave Donations

Donations may be solicited by the recipient employee or on the recipient employee’s behalf by co-workers or their union representatives.

1. The Auditor’s Office may, at the recipient employee's request, notify Auditor’s Office employees that the recipient employee is eligible to receive voluntary donations, but may not solicit donations on the employee's behalf. The Auditor’s Office may not release any medical information regarding the recipient employee or the recipient employee’s family member, unless authorized by the employee or family member.
2. With the approval of the recipient employee, the Auditor’s Office may notify catastrophic leave coordinators in City bureaus that the employee is eligible to receive donations.
3. Employees are prohibited from threatening or coercing other employees concerning any aspect of catastrophic leave, including but not limited to pressuring another employee to donate time or refuse to accept donated time.

C. Procedure for Requesting Catastrophic Leave

To request catastrophic leave:

1. An employee must submit to Operations Management a completed Request for Catastrophic Leave form and a Medical Certification form from their health care provider or the family member’s health care provider verifying the catastrophic illness.
2. Operations Management will complete its portion of the request form and prepare a memo of approval from the City Auditor. If approved by the City Auditor, Operations Management will submit the forms and approval memo to Human Resources.
3. Human Resources will e-mail the donation posting and donation forms to Operations Management. Operations Management will distribute the posting and donation forms as authorized by the recipient employee.

D. Administration

The City Auditor retains the right to change, modify, or discontinue the catastrophic leave donation program at any time.

1. The City Auditor may establish necessary procedures to implement and monitor catastrophic leave, and may modify the procedures it has established as necessary.
2. The Auditor’s Office retains the right to require periodic medical certification to verify catastrophic leave eligibility. Periodic updates are typically one per month. Eligibility will cease when the employee can return to work or the family member is once again able to care for themselves.
3. If the City Auditor chooses to discontinue the program, the recipient members already involved in the program will be allowed to continue using accrued donated hours unless exhausted or until no longer necessary. However, no further contributions beyond the number received by the effective date of discontinuance will be allowed.
4. Catastrophic leave is not subject to any appeal procedures provided for under Auditor’s Office human resources rules or the City Charter.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.06 – Catastrophic Leave. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised February 15, 2018.

CHAPTER IX: MILITARY LEAVE

A.General

Auditor’s Office employees may take military leave in accordance with the Citywide requirements set forth in City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.07 – Military Leave and the Auditor’s Office procedures set forth in this rule.

B. Requesting Military Leave

Any Auditor’s Office employee called to active duty must notify their Division manager and Operations Management, either orally or in writing, of the need for military leave.

C. Replacement Employees

The Auditor’s Office may appoint another employee, in accordance with City Code and Auditor’s Office human resources rules, to replace any employee called to active duty. An employee returning from active duty must report to back work in accordance with City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.07 – Military Leave, and must generally be returned to the same position as was held when the active duty was commenced.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.07 – Military Leave. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised January 10, 2024.

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER X: MILITARY LEAVE - VACATION DONATION PROGRAM

A.General

The military leave vacation donation program is intended to allow employees to assist employees on military leave whose rate of pay while on active duty is less than what they earn in base wages as a City employee, and who are no longer receiving pay from the City. Donated vacation leave is used to bridge the difference between the employee’s base rate of pay in their City position and the amount of pay the employee receives while on military leave. Auditor’s Office employees may donate or receive accrued vacation hours in accordance with the Citywide requirements set forth in City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.07 (A) – Military Leave – Vacation Donation Program and the Auditor’s Office procedures set forth in this rule.

B. Notification of Eligibility to Receive Donations

1. The Auditor’s Office may, at a recipient employee’s request, post notification City-wide that the recipient employee is eligible to receive voluntary donations of accrued vacation hours.
2. Employees are prohibited from threatening or coercing other employees concerning any aspect of this rule, including but not limited to pressuring another employee to donate time or refuse to accept donated time.

C. Procedure for Requesting Donated Vacation Hours

To request donated vacation hours:

1. An eligible Auditor’s Office employee must submit a completed Request to Receive Donated Vacation Leave for Military Leave form to Operations Management.
2. Operations Management will review the form and prepare a memo of approval from the City Auditor. If approved by the City Auditor, Operations Management will submit the form and approval memo to Human Resources.
3. Human Resources will e-mail the donation posting and donation forms to Operations Management. Operations Management will distribute the posting and coordinate deducting donated leave hours from the donor, calculating the value of those hours, and providing payroll with the necessary information to issue a warrant to the recipient employee.
4. This process may be repeated if the employee remains on military leave up to the six-month maximum accrual.

D. Administration

The City Auditor retains the right to modify, change, or discontinue the vacation donation program at any time.

1. The City Auditor may establish necessary procedures to implement and monitor the vacation donation program in the Auditor’s Office, and may modify the procedures it has established as necessary.
2. The vacation donation program is not subject to any appeal procedure provided for under the Auditor’s Office human resources rules or the City Charter.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.07 (A) – Military Leave – Vacation Donation Program. Adopted by Council on November 5, 2003 (Ordinance No. 178019). Last revised October 19, 2010.

CHAPTER XI: FUNERAL AND BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

A. Funeral and Bereavement Leave

1. Employees may be granted up to three (3) days of leave with pay for the death of a relative, an individual related by close affinity, or due to pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or other loss.
   1. A “relative” includes a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, child, stepchild, child-in-law, grandchild, sibling, stepsibling, stepparent, step grandparent, sibling-in-law, parent-in-law, and equivalent relative of an employee with a domestic partner.
   2. “An individual related by close affinity” includes relationships such as unmarried partners, household members, and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.
   3. Under exceptional circumstances, the City Auditor or designee may grant funeral leave on the death of a person other than those listed above.
2. With the approval of the City Auditor or designee, an additional two days leave with no deduction in pay may be allowed for necessary funeral travel time.
3. Employees who are unable to attend the funeral of a relative or where there is no funeral following the death of a relative may be granted up to three days of bereavement leave.
4. In addition to funeral and bereavement leave granted by this rule, in qualifying circumstances, an eligible employee is entitled to take up to two workweeks of bereavement leave per death of a family member under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). See Chapter VI: Family Medical Leave. An employee will be required to follow all of the stated rules for family medical leave designation.

B. Ineligibility for Leave

No person employed on a temporary or seasonal basis or employed as a consultant on a contract basis is eligible for funeral or bereavement leave.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.08 – Funeral and Bereavement Leave. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised May 31, 2022. 

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER XII: JURY DUTY

A. Leave for Jury Duty

Any regular or limited duration employee will be granted leave with pay, and without loss of any benefits of employment, to serve as a juror in response to a subpoena or similar service issued out of a state or federal court. Temporary and seasonal employees are not paid for time on jury duty but may be granted time off to complete service.Generally, the City Auditor will not limit the amount of time an employee may serve on a jury and receive pay.

1. Employees granted leave for jury duty will be carried on the regular payroll in the usual manner, with an entry showing jury service as the appropriate absence code.Time on jury duty is not included in total hours worked per week for Fair Labor Standards Act purposes or for any other purpose.
2. The employee must provide a copy of the official court subpoena to their supervisor. A copy of the subpoena will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.
3. An employee granted leave for jury duty must endorse to the City all compensation received for service as a juror and forward such compensation to Payroll, but will be reimbursed for approved travel expenses. However, ifan employee serves as juror on a scheduled day off or vacation day, the employee may retain the fee paid for service as a juror but will not receive jury duty leave.

B. Jury Duty and Work Schedule

An employee may not be paid both jury leave and vacation for the same day. If jury duty occurs on a scheduled day off, the employee is not entitled to additional time off. If an employee granted leave for jury duty is released from service as juror with more than two hours remaining in their normal work shift, the employee must notify their supervisor and must report to work for the remainder of the shift if requested.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.09 – Jury Duty. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised November 4, 2011.

CHAPTER XIII: LEAVE TO ATTEND COURT OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING

A. Attending Court or Other Legal Proceeding Related to Employment

Any employee who must attend court or other legal proceedings arising from actions taken during Auditor’s Office employment will be considered “at work” and will receive regular wages.

1. Employees must notify their supervisor of any job-related subpoena or other request to appear for a court or other legal proceeding. The employee must be subpoenaed or otherwise released by the City Auditor or designee to attend the court or other legal proceeding.
2. Employees must endorse to the City all compensation received for service as a witness and forward such compensation to Payroll, but will be reimbursed for approved travel expenses. See Leave to Attend Court or other Legal Proceeding – Guidance.  
3. This Section does not apply to an employee who is a plaintiff in a lawsuit or other legal proceeding against the City.

B. Attending Court or Other Legal Proceeding Not Related to Employment

When an employee is subpoenaed or directed by a proper authority to appear as a party or witness in any legal proceeding that is not connected with the employee’s officially assigned duties, the employee will be granted leave but must use vacation, compensatory time, or leave without pay. The time is not included in total hours worked per week for Fair Labor Standards Act purposes or for any other purpose.

C. Leave to Attend Criminal Proceedings

An eligible employee who is the victim of a person felony or whose immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, or grandparent) is the victim of a person felony will be given leave to attend criminal proceedings related to the crime.

1. For this chapter “victim of a person felony” means a person who has suffered financial, social, psychological, or physical harm as a result of the person felony.
2. “Criminal proceedings” include any proceedings that are part of a criminal action, including juvenile proceedings and any other proceeding at which a crime victim has a right to be present.
3. Such leave is without pay, but the employee is entitled to use accrued vacation, management leave (if awarded), and/or compensatory time off.
4. To be eligible for leave to attend criminal proceedings, the employee must have worked an average of more than 25 hours per week for at least 180 days immediately before the date the employee takes leave to attend a criminal proceeding.
5. An employee must provide reasonable notice of their intention to take leave to attend a criminal proceeding and provide their supervisor with copies of any notices of scheduled criminal proceedings the employee receives. Such information must be maintained in a confidential file.

D. If Excused from Service with Time Remaining in Shift

If an employee granted leave under this rule is released from service as a witness with more than two hours remaining in the employee’s normal work shift, the employee must notify their supervisor and report to work for the remainder of the shift if requested.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.10 – Leave to Attend Court or Other Legal Proceeding. Adopted by Council on March 6, 2002 (Ordinance No. 176302). Last revised February 15, 2018.

This chapter last revised by the City Auditor's Office as an interim rule on August 18, 2023.

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.

CHAPTER XIV: LEAVE TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CRIMINAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING

A. Rule

1. An employee who is the victim of domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, or whose family member is the victim of domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, is eligible to take reasonable leave for the following authorized purposes:
   1. To seek legal or law enforcement assistance or remedies to ensure the health and safety of the employee or the employee’s family member, including preparing for and participating in protective order proceedings or other civil or criminal legal proceedings related to domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.
   2. To seek medical treatment for or to recover from injuries caused by domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking of the employee or the employee’s family member.
   3. To obtain, or to assist a family member in obtaining, counseling from a licensed mental health professional related to an experience of domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.
   4. To obtain services from a victim services provider for the employee or the employee’s family member.
   5. To relocate or take steps to secure an existing home to ensure the health and safety of the employee or the employee’s family member.
2. When taking leave under this policy, an employee may apply for paid leave benefits with Paid Leave Oregon. Additionally or alternatively, an eligible employee may choose to use any available paid leave time, including City-provided sick leave, vacation, management leave, comp time, and personal time.Otherwise, leave will be unpaid. Leave may be taken intermittently, on a reduced work schedule or in a single block of time, as the circumstances warrant. During the leave, the City will maintain any health insurance coverage being provided in the same manner as if the employee had not taken leave, to the maximum extent required by law.
3. Such leave may also run concurrently with other protected leave laws to the extent the leave is also covered by other protected leave laws.

B. Required Notice and Verification

An eligible employee taking leave for an authorized purpose under this Chapter:

1. Must provide reasonable advance notice, if feasible, of their intention to take leave. If leave is needed for an unanticipated or emergency situation, the employee must give oral or written notice as soon as is practicable. Employees taking safe leave under Paid Leave Oregon must follow the state’s rules on timing of oral and written notice.
2. Must provide verification that the employee or the employee’s family member is the victim of domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, and that the leave is needed for one of the authorized purposes listed above.
   1. Any of the following constitutes sufficient verification:
      1. A copy of a police report;
      2. A copy of a protective order or other evidence from a court or attorney;
      3. Documentation from an attorney, law enforcement officer, health care professional, licensed mental health professional or counselor, clergy member, or victim services provider that the employee or their minor child or dependent was undergoing treatment or counseling, obtaining services, or relocating as a result of domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking; or
      4. The employee’s written statement confirming these facts.
   2. If the victim is the employee’s family member, verification of the familial relationship between the employee and the victim may include, but is not limited to, a statement from the employee, a birth certificate, a court document, or other similar documentation.
      • Employees will not be required to provide additional information beyond this required verification, or information that would compromise their safety or the safety of their family members.
   3. If the leave is also covered under other protected leave laws, a separate medical certification form will be required.

C. Reasonable Safety Accommodation

An eligible employee who has provided the certification required under Section B may request a reasonable safety accommodation in the workplace. A reasonable safety accommodation could include a transfer, reassignment, modified work schedule, unpaid leave, changed work telephone number, changed workstation, installed lock, or other adjustment to the job structure, workplace facility, or work requirement in response to actual or threatened domestic violence, criminal harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.

1. The reasonableness of the safety accommodation will depend on the particular circumstances at issue.
2. A reasonable safety accommodation should be provided unless it imposes an undue hardship on Auditor’s Office operations.

D. Confidentiality

1. Information provided under this rule must be maintained in a confidential file and is not generally subject to release without the employee’s authorization.
2. The City will maintain the confidentiality of all information provided by the employee, including the fact that the employee or employee's family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or that the employee has requested or obtained leave under this rule.
3. Approval of leave granted pursuant to this rule must not contain any information concerning the purpose of the leave, but will state that leave under this rule has been approved.

This Chapter was adapted from:

City Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.10 (A) – Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking. Adopted by the Chief Administrative Officer on May 9, 2008. Last revised June 14, 2023 (Ordinance No. 191325).

This chapter last revised by the City Auditor's Office as an interim rule on August 18, 2023.

Amended by the City Auditor on February 13, 2024.