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Pay Equity & Equal Pay Analysis

Background

The Oregon Equal Pay Act provides pay protections to Oregonians and creates specific obligations for Oregon state government as an employer.

The act makes it unlawful for any employer to:

  • Discriminate between employees, in wages and other compensation for “work of a comparable character,” on the basis of a protected class;
  • Pay employees at different compensation levels when based on something other than the bona fide factors contained in the law;
  • Seek or use the salary history of an applicant before an employment and salary offer has been made;
  • Screen applicants on the basis of current or past compensation; or
  • Determine compensation for a position based on current or past compensation of a prospective employee.

How is Pay Equity Ensured?

Employee compensation is evaluated via a recurring Equal Pay Analysis as well as individual pay equity assessments to ensure it meets Equal Pay Act standards.

What is the Equal Pay Analysis?

In compliance with the law, the executive branch of state government conducts an Equal Pay Analysis at least once every three years to assess and correct wage disparities among employees who perform work of a comparable character.

The 2024 Equal Pay Analysis is currently underway.

Learn more about the current Equal Pay Analysis Project

What are Pay Equity Assessments?

Executive branch employees may request an assessment of their compensation based on policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Learn more about Ongoing Pay Equity Assessments