Protected Medical Leave

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)

Major changes to OFLA coming July 1, 2024:

Employees on or applying for leaves covered by OFLA (Oregon Family Leave Act) should know there are changes to the Act effective July 1, 2024, including major updates to how OFLA will interact with the Oregon Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML). Significantly, the following leave reasons will no longer be covered under OFLA and must be covered under PFML instead:

  • Birth, adoption, or foster placement.
  • A family member's serious health condition.
  • An employee's own serious health condition.

If you are currently on an approved OFLA leave for one of the reasons listed above, you will receive a notice from the Benefits Office with more details and the steps to immediately take to ensure your protected leave remains in place.

For a summary of the major changes to OFLA that will be effective July 1, see the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries website.

Employees who need time off from work to care for a new child or due to their own serious health condition or that of a family member's, may be eligible to receive job and benefit protections under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA).

If you take time intermittently or work a reduced work schedule, you must be able to perform the essential functions of your job while you are at work. If you are unable to perform your job responsibilities while at work, you may be required to take continuous leave.

The following information will help you manage the various aspects of medical leaves:


Protected Leave Request Form 

If your leave is not associated with Oregon Paid Family and Medical Leave, or if you reside outside the state of Oregon, complete the Protected Leave Request Form to apply for protected leave.



On the Job Injury

Employees are covered by workers’ compensation insurance when they suffer a compensable injury/disease in the course and scope of employment. SAIF Corporation (SAIF) is the university’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. SAIF will determine the compensability of all claims. Contact Workers' Compensation at workinjury@uoregon.edu or visit the Safety and Risk Services website for more information about injury reporting and workers' compensation.

To request protected leave under FMLA and/or OFLA for an on-the-job injury, complete the Protected Leave Request Form and submit to the Medical Leaves Coordinator either by fax 541-346-2548 or email HRleaves@uoregon.edu.