Civil Rights Division About Us

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About Us

Mission Statement

The Bureau of Labor and Industries promotes the development of a highly-skilled, competitive workforce in Oregon through partnerships with government, labor, business, and educational institutions. It protects the rights of workers and citizens to equal, non-discriminatory treatment; encourages and enforces compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment; and advocates policies that balance the demands of the workplace and employers with the protections of workers and their families.

Oregonians who feel they have been discriminated against or who have not received their proper wages can call the Bureau of Labor and Industries or visit our web site for information and for help filing a complaint. The Bureau also promotes development of a skilled work force through its apprenticeship and training programs and provides education to the state's employers through its technical assistance services.

Organization

Annual Performance Measures

Labor Commissioner

Oregon State Apprenticeship and Training Council
Wage and Hour Commission
Advisory Committee on Prevailing Wage Rate Law
Oregon Council on Civil and Human Rights

Civil Rights Division

Enforce civil rights laws

Investigate civil rights complaints

Advise and educate workers about their civil rights

Wage and Hour Division

Investigate wage complaints
Enforce child labor laws
License farm and forest labor contractors
Administer prevailing wage rate laws
Enforce minimum wage and wage collection laws
Advise and educate workers about wage and hour laws

Apprenticeship and Training Division

Register apprentices
Work with industry to establish apprenticeship programs
Monitor apprenticeship committee compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws

Commissioner's Office and Support Services

Develop policy
Provide accounting and data processing services to the agency
Provide public information
Advise and educate employers about compliance issues
Hold contested case hearings and issue legal decisions

Programs

The Civil Rights Division enforces laws granting job seekers and employees equal access to jobs, career schools, promotions, and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. These laws ensure workers job protection when they report worksite safety violations, use family leave provisions or the worker's compensation system. Civil rights laws also provide protection for those seeking housing or using public facilities such as retail establishments or transportation services. Quick Facts

Each year the division receives approximately 30,000 inquiries.

An average of 2,100 complaints are filed annually.

98 percent of the complaints allege unfair employment practices.

The majority of complaints are sex discrimination (21%); disability (20%); injured worker (21%) and race/color (12%.)

Most complaints are concluded within six months; by law the agency must complete its investigation within one year.

For information on filing a claim call: 971-673-0764 in Portland, 541-686-7623 in Eugene; or 503-378-3292 in Salem.
Spanish speakers should call 503-731-4200 and press 2.