Oregon Whistleblower Protections

659A.200. Definitions for ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224.

(2) “Employee” means a person employed by or under contract with:(a) The state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state; (b) Any person authorized to act on behalf of the state, or agency of the state or subdivision in the state, with respect to control, management or supervision of any employee; (c) Employees of the public corporation created under ORS 656.751; (d) Employees of a contractor who performs services for the state, agency or subdivision, other than employees of a contractor under contract to construct a public improvement; and (e) Any person authorized by contract to act on behalf of the state, agency or subdivision.

659A.203. Prohibited conduct by public employer. (1) Subject to ORS 659A.206, except as provided in ORS 659A.200 to 659A.224, it is an unlawful employment practice for any public employer to: (a) Prohibit any employee from discussing, in response to an official request, either specifically or generally with any member of the Legislative Assembly or legislative committee staff acting under the direction of a member of the Legislative Assembly the activities of: (A) The state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state; or (B) Any person authorized to act on behalf of the state or any agency of or political subdivision in the state. (b) Prohibit any employee from disclosing, or take or threaten to take disciplinary action against an employee for the disclosure of any information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of: (A) A violation of any federal or state law, rule or regulation by the state, agency or political subdivision; (B) Mismanagement, gross waste of funds or abuse of authority or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety resulting from action of the state, agency or political subdivision; or (C) Subject to ORS 659A.212 (2), the fact that a person receiving services, benefits or assistance from the state or agency or subdivision, is subject to a felony or misdemeanor warrant for arrest issued by this state, any other state, the federal government, or any territory, commonwealth or governmental instrumentality of the United States. (c) Require any employee to give notice prior to making any disclosure or engaging in discussion described in this section, except as allowed in ORS 659A.206 (1).(d) Discourage, restrain, dissuade, coerce, prevent or otherwise interfere with disclosure or discussions described in this section. (2) No public employer shall invoke or impose any disciplinary action against an employee for employee activity described in subsection (1) of this section or ORS 659A.212.

659A.215. Remedies not exclusive. The remedies provided for violations of ORS 659A.203 and 659A.218 under this chapter are in addition to any appeal proceeding available under ORS 240.560 for a state employee or under any comparable provisions for employees of political subdivisions.