OREGON – OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF STRIKING WORKER BENEFITS
The Oregon Employment Department is providing employers an opportunity to provide feedback on upcoming rule changes. Most notably, Rule 471-030-0036 makes significant changes to modernize the weekly eligibility requirements and to implement the new legislation (SB916) associated with providing benefits to striking workers.
Any Oregon employers who wish to provide feedback can submit their comments by emailing [email protected]. Your email should include the full rule number (471-030-0036), and all comments must be submitted by Sept. 4, 2025.
Additional information on these new draft rules can be found here.
WASHINGTON – PAID FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE BUSINESS SIZE RECALCULATION
On September 30, 2025, the Washington Employment Security Department will begin to calculate business size for the next year for Paid Family & Medical Leave purposes. This calculation, which is an average of reported employee headcount over the previous four quarters, determines if an employer is responsible for the employer portion of premiums. Smaller employers are defined by the state as fewer than 50 employees, and they do not have to pay the employer portion.
The state warns that missing reports can cause employer size to be calculated incorrectly. Therefore, employers are reminded to log in to their employer account and check the state of all wage reports. Each quarterly reporting period should have a status of Processed.
If the state determines there has been a change in business size, they will send a letter with information in late October.
WEST VIRGINIA – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to individuals who were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that impacted West Virginia between June 14-15, 2025. Impacted individuals in Ohio and Marion counties may be eligible for DUA benefits. Additional counties may be added to the disaster declaration at a later date.
An individual must contact WorkForce West Virginia by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 304-558-3340 between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM.
The application deadline is September 22, 2025.
