Amazon Leave Policy Dispute

Summary

Under oregon law, employers must provide protected sick leave. Amazons policy requiring a paid leave oregon decision letter may not align with state law. Contacting boli can clarify your rights. Retaliation for invoking sick leave is prohibited. Consulting an employment attorney can help pursue damages for stress and mental anguish. Document all interactions and gather evidence to strengthen your case. Filing a complaint with boli or seeking legal advice are viable options.

Full Conversation

I currently work for amazon. I had to take off two days to care for my husband after he injured his back. I submitted a doctor's note for unpaid time off and amazon keeps denying it saying that I HAVE to apply for Paid state benefits. I do not qualify for paid state benefits because of the hours I have worked during the year i have invoked oregon sick leave law and they insist on the paid benefits being the only way I can get it excused.
****, under Oregon law, the Oregon Sick Leave Law requires employers to provide up to * hours of protected sick leave annually. If you've invoked this law, Amazon may not deny your leave based on state benefits eligibility.
Did Amazon provide a specific reason for rejecting your unpaid sick leave request under this law?
They said they contacted boli and boli said that PLO is required for approval.
****, under Oregon law, employers with *+ employees (*+ in Portland) must provide protected sick leave under the Oregon Sick Leave Law. Protected Leave of Absence (PLO) is not a formal requirement for unpaid sick leave approval.
Have you considered contacting BOLI directly to verify Amazon's claim?
You think I should ?
****, yes, contacting BOLI (Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) directly could clarify whether Amazon's claim aligns with state law. They can provide authoritative guidance on your rights under the Oregon Sick Leave Law and address potential employer violations.
BOLI Contact Information:
Phone: *-*-*
Website: www.oregon.gov/boli
What are their hours
BOLI's (Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) typical business hours are Monday through Friday, *:* AM to *:* PM PST. It's best to call within these hours to ensure assistance.
So what if my husband has submitted the same type of leave and they approved it ???? they did not require him to apply for state benefits at all
****, if your husband’s leave was approved under similar circumstances without requiring state benefits, this could indicate inconsistent application of Amazon's policies. You should mention this inconsistency when discussing your situation with Amazon or BOLI. Did Amazon provide any written policy explaining this requirement?
Here is the message responding to my inquiry about amazon breaking the law
****, based on the information provided, there seems to be a potential inconsistency in how Amazon applies its policies. If no written policy explicitly requires state benefits for unpaid leave approval, this could strengthen your argument. Have you documented your communication with Amazon regarding these denials?
We have confirmed directly with Oregon BOLI that OFLA has been updated and Paid Leave Oregon is now enforced. Under this updated framework, a state decision letter is required for these specific approvals. This is not an Amazon-created barrier - it is a state-level requirement that we must follow in order to approve leave under this program on our end. We have engaged directly with DLS on your behalf. Here is what they have confirmed: Once you have your state decision letter (from Paid Leave Oregon), please share it with DLS via email. DLS will review it within * business days of receipt. Upon review, they will be able to process and approve your case accordingly.
****, based on the response Amazon provided, it seems they are interpreting OFLA updates to require a Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) decision letter for approval. However, unpaid sick leave under the Oregon Sick Leave Law should still be protected separately. Have you contacted BOLI to confirm if this interpretation aligns with state requirements?
No i work nights so I wake up too late but I will call them in the morning tomorrow
****, it’s a good step to contact BOLI to clarify Amazon’s interpretation. If you’re unable to call during business hours, consider emailing BOLI or checking their website for additional resources. Document your interactions with BOLI to strengthen your case. Let me know if you need help drafting your inquiry!
I am creating a time log to monitor how much time I spend trying to fix this
****, creating a time log is a great idea to track your efforts in addressing this issue. Be sure to include:
- Dates and times of each activity (calls, emails, or research).
- Names of individuals you interact with.
- A brief summary of the interaction and its outcome.
Would you like tips on how to format the log?
No im scared tho im going to be fired and lose my college career choice payments benefit and im a *.* student I deserve to go to school
****, I understand your fear, and I’m here to provide support. Under Oregon law, retaliation for invoking legally protected sick leave is prohibited. Document any threats or actions against you. Have you considered filing a formal complaint with BOLI for potential retaliation or seeking assistance from an employment attorney?
I am thinking of doing both this weekend
****, it's a good idea to consider both options. Filing a complaint with BOLI can initiate an investigation into potential violations, and consulting an employment attorney can provide personalized advice. Have you gathered all relevant documents (emails, doctor’s notes, and policies) to support your case?
I have documented and screenshotted everything
****, it’s excellent that you’ve documented everything—it will be crucial in supporting your case. When you contact BOLI or an attorney, share these materials to provide a clear picture of your situation. Have you decided which action (filing with BOLI or consulting an attorney) you’ll prioritize first?
Which do you think will help win me damages for stress and menal anguish
****, pursuing damages for stress and mental anguish can be complex. Filing a complaint with BOLI may address violations and provide remedies, but consulting an employment attorney is more likely to help you pursue damages, as they can evaluate the potential for a civil lawsuit. Have you identified an attorney yet?
N I
****, I understand this is a stressful situation. Hiring an employment attorney is a strong step if you wish to seek damages for stress and mental anguish. They can evaluate your case and guide you on filing a civil lawsuit. Would you like information on how to find an employment attorney in Oregon?