(a) The amount of the unpaid wages to which the employee is entitled for the one year period preceding the commencement of the action; and
(b) An additional amount as liquidated damages equal to the amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(2) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing plaintiff in an action under this section. The court may award reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees incurred by a defendant who prevails in the action if the court determines that the plaintiff had no objectively reasonable basis for asserting a claim or no objectively reasonable basis for appealing an adverse decision of a trial court.
(3) The action for the unpaid wages and liquidated damages may be maintained by one or more employees on behalf of themselves or other employees similarly situated.
(4) No agreement for compensation at a rate less than the rate to which such employee is entitled under ORS 652.210 to 652.235 is a defense to any action under ORS 652.210 to 652.235.
(5) For the purpose of time limitations, a compensation practice that is unlawful under ORS 652.220 occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice.
(6) An action under this section alleging a violation of ORS 652.220 must be commenced within one year after the occurrence of the unlawful practice.
(7) Notwithstanding ORS 30.275 (2)(b), notice of claim against a public body under ORS 652.220 must be given within 300 days of discovery of the alleged loss or injury. [1955 c.193 §3; 1981 c.894 §87; 1995 c.618 §110; 2017 c.197 §3]
Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 16 - Trade Practices, Labor and Employment
Chapter 652 - Hours; Wages; Wage Claims; Records
Section 652.040 - Maximum working hours in mines.
Section 652.050 - Definitions for ORS 652.050 to 652.080.
Section 652.060 - Maximum working hours for firefighters.
Section 652.070 - Overtime pay for firefighters.
Section 652.120 - Establishing regular payday; pay intervals; agreement to pay wages at future date.
Section 652.145 - Payment of wages for seasonal farmworkers.
Section 652.150 - Penalty wage for failure to pay wages on termination of employment.
Section 652.195 - Liability for dishonored check for payment of wages; penalties.
Section 652.200 - Attorney fee in action for wages.
Section 652.210 - Definitions for ORS 652.210 to 652.235.
Section 652.260 - Payment to nurses providing home health or hospice services; rules.
Section 652.310 - Definitions of employer and employee.
Section 652.320 - Definitions for ORS 652.310 to 652.414.
Section 652.335 - Liability of liquor dispenser licensee for wage claims of certain individuals.
Section 652.340 - Requiring bond of employer.
Section 652.360 - Contract exempting employer from liability or penalty not valid; exceptions.
Section 652.370 - Jurisdiction of courts; proceedings in name of state.
Section 652.390 - Deduction of costs from wage claims; collection fees; assignment of wage claims.
Section 652.409 - Wage Security Fund; use.
Section 652.420 - Definitions for ORS 652.420 to 652.445.
Section 652.500 - Receiver to pay accrued wages; payment of employees; receiver’s certificates.
Section 652.520 - Form of statement of wage claim.
Section 652.530 - Serving copy of statement; report to court; order of payment.
Section 652.540 - Exception to claim; legal action on claim.
Section 652.630 - Definitions for ORS 652.630 to 652.640.
Section 652.635 - Producers to post certain terms of employment.
Section 652.640 - Itemized statement of compensation and deductions required.