Legal Question in Employment Law in Oregon

Reply to "Unjust Company layoffs"

First, I'm assuming you were not a union member (if so, contact your union). In Oregon, as in many states, an employer is not generally required to be fair in its hiring and firing (or layoff) decisions. However, if the company downsized as a way to get rid of certain employees who were in protected classifications (meaning, those of particular races, or female, disabled, etc.) or who had engaged in protected conduct (reporting safety violations, reporting law violations, union activity), then the layoff may be a violation depending on the specific facts involved. Also, if an individual is selected for inclusion in a larger layoff because of a protected classification or activity (see above), then the individual layoff might be unlawful. Regarding the OSHA issue, anyone has the right to report suspected violations to the officials, either state or federal OSHA. It is unlikely an individual who was not directly affected will have much to gain by doing so, however, especially if that person is no longer employed by the company. This message is for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as specific legal advice.