Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers traveling the state to meet with workers; Sept. 18 stop in Bend

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Representatives from the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers will be traveling throughout Oregon to meet with workers to help them understand their rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities.

The Ombuds Office serves as an independent advocate for workers by helping them with the workers’ compensation system and workplace safety and health laws and rules.

“It is extremely important for workers to know that there are people available to help them for free,” said Ombuds for Oregon Workers Barbra Anderson. “Workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. We can help them understand their rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities.”

Two of the meet-and-greet events – Sept. 7 in Gresham and Sept. 25 in Newport – will be available in Spanish.

The Ombuds staff will be available on the following dates and locations:

• Thursday, Sept. 5: WorkSource, 2510 Oakmont Way, Eugene, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., English
• Saturday, Sept. 7: Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Ave., Gresham, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Spanish
• Monday, Sept. 16: Ontario Library, 388 SW 2nd Ave., Ontario, from 3 to 7 p.m., English
• Tuesday, Sept. 17: Harney County Library, 80 W D St., Burns, from 1 to 5 p.m., English
• Wednesday, Sept. 18: Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., English
• Wednesday, Sept. 25: Newport Library, 35 NW Nye St., Newport, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Spanish

Workers can get answers to their questions and free help with:

• Raising workplace safety and health concerns
• Reporting an on-the-job accident
• Filing a workers’ compensation claim
• Time-loss and medical benefits
• Returning to work after an injury
• Workers’ compensation disputes or appeals

The Ombuds staff is also available by calling 800-927-1271 (toll-free) or visiting oregon.gov/dcbs/oow.

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About the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers: The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers is the state office that serves as an independent advocate for workers by helping them understand their rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities within the workers’ compensation system and workplace safety and health laws and rules. The office is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit oregon.gov/dcbs/oow