Employment law is a broad category of laws—statutes, case law (court opinions), rules, and regulations—that govern the relationship between an employer and an employee. Employment law includes state laws that only apply to employer-employee relationships in a given state, and federal laws that apply to employer-employee relationships in all states.

In Oregon, employment law encompasses a variety of regulations and statutes that dictate the relationship between employers and employees. State-specific laws cover matters such as minimum wage requirements, which as of 2023 is $13.50 per hour in the standard counties, with a higher rate in the Portland metro area and a lower rate in nonurban counties. Oregon also has laws regarding leave entitlements, such as the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) which provides eligible employees with protected leave for certain family, medical, and emergency reasons. Additionally, Oregon enforces laws against discrimination and harassment in the workplace, which complement federal laws like the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers in Oregon must also adhere to federal employment laws that apply nationwide, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for wage and hour rules, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) for workplace safety, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for broader leave entitlements. It's important for employers to comply with both sets of laws, and for employees to be aware of their rights under both state and federal regulations.