Anti-retaliation bill regarding workplace safety gains traction

The Oregon Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that creates a presumption that if an employee is disciplined within 60 days of filing a workplace safety complaint that the action was taken in retaliation.

S.B. 483 addresses an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to “notify the employer of any violation of law, regulation or standard pertaining to safety and health in the place of employment when the violation comes to the knowledge of the employee.”

The bill states that the employee or prospective employee bears the burden of proving whether the employer’s action was retaliatory or discriminatory.

If enacted, the bill would go into effect immediately.