Six months ago, in September 2023, the Oregon paid family and medical leave program, known as Paid Leave Oregon, officially went “live” and began providing benefits to eligible employees, which means it officially turns 6 months old in early March 2024. In that time, the program has had a major impact on employers and employees across the state, with Oregon providing paid leave benefits to tens of thousands of eligible employees.

To celebrate this milestone, host Josh Seidman sits down with Karen Humelbaugh, the Director of Paid Leave Oregon, to discuss the program's history and details, including eligibility, approval process, and benefits administration, as well as lessons learned and adjustments being made to Paid Leave Oregon since September 2023. Karen also joins Josh in breaking down current standards on the interplay between Paid Leave Oregon and employer-provided paid leave benefits and with the Oregon Family Leave Act, potential amendments to this aspect of Paid Leave Oregon during the State’s current legislative session, complications created by remote, hybrid and mobile employees, and private plan intricacies. Join them for this celebratory episode looking back at a landmark program, and how it may be a harbinger of programs to come.