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HR Compliance

This page contains resources for HR Compliance as it relates to Oregon state government employees. This page will continually be updated, please check back often for new resources and updates.


The Chief Human Resources Office (CHRO) Compliance program provides administrative review of agency compliance with human resources law, rules, and policies and performs related research and analysis to ensure effective human resource management practices.

The CHRO has delegated authority and responsibility for several human resource functions to agencies. ORS 240.311 requires the CHRO to perform appropriate post-audit review of those functions and to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with personnel statutes, rules, and policies.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Span of Control policy outlines clear guidelines for managing the balance of supervisory staff within state agencies. 

The "Actual Supervisory Ratio" refers to the current number of non-supervisory employees for every supervisory employee. In contrast, the "Maximum Supervisory Ratio" is a target set by each agency, which varies based on factors like safety concerns, the locations of staff members, and the complexity of their tasks. 

These ratios are essential for ensuring that there are enough supervisors to effectively manage and oversee staff without excessive oversight.

The policy also requires agencies to report these ratios to the legislature and to maintain them within defined limits through regular updates. If an agency's actual supervisory ratio exceeds the set maximum, they must seek approval from the Department of Administrative Services Chief Human Resources Office (DAS CHRO) for new supervisory hires based on justifiable needs, ensuring transparency and proper oversight in management structures.

This system of checks and balances is crucial for maintaining structured and effective governance within state agencies. ​

Highlights

  • The span of control is the number of employees who directly report to a supervising manager.  State agencies in the Executive Branch with 100 employees or greater are subject to comply with ORS 291.227.
  • The Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office (CHRO) will publish a quarterly report with the actual supervisory ratios and maximum supervisory ratios for each agency. Agencies will receive notification of their actual supervisory ratios two (2) weeks prior to the quarterly report being published to allow for corrective staffing changes.

Quarterly Reports

Toolkit

FAQs​

  1. What if I want to hire a supervisory position?
    • ​​Subject agencies may hire supervisory positions as long as the agency's actual supervisory ratio does not exceed its maximum supervisory ratio (MSR) approved for the biennium.
  2. What if I want to hire a supervisory position and the agency's actual supervisory ratio exceeds its maximum supervisory ratio (MSR) approved for the biennium?
    • ​If the agency’s actual supervisory ratio (ASR) is greater than its approved maximum supervisory ratio (MSR), the agency will only be able to hire a new supervisory position with an exemption from CHRO. CHRO will lift the requirement once your agency has demonstrated it is within the maximum supervisory ratio (MSR).
  3. What happens if an agency's supervisory ratio exceeds the maximum supervisory ratio (MSR) according to the latest quarterly span of control report?
    Must the agency wait until the publication of the subsequent quarter's report to fill supervisory positions without an exemption?
    Is it possible for the exemption requirement to be removed within the quarter if the agency can show to DAS CHRO that it has adjusted back to its designated MSR?
    • ​An agency does not necessarily have to wait until the next quarter's report to fill supervisory positions without needing an exemption – if the agency can demonstrate to DAS CHRO at any point within the quarter that it has adjusted its supervisory ratio to comply with the maximum supervisory ratio (MSR), the requirement for an exemption can be lifted.
  4. If we are using a supervisory position (as originally budgeted for) as a non-supervisory position, can we report it as how it is currently being used as opposed to its original designation?
    • ​No, the position must be reported according to its original budgeted designation as supervisory.​
​Refer to HR Policy 30.000.20: Span of Control​ for more information.

​​​​Temporary employment allows our agency to address sudden, unique, or brief increases in work volume. These positions are crucial for managing tasks that are unexpected and not routine. Temporary employees are hired under different rules compared to our regular staff and do not receive the same long-term benefits.

Purpose of Temporary Employment

We establish temporary positions when it's impractical to utilize current staff or create new permanent roles. This flexibility helps us respond effectively to non-recurring needs or emergency situations without the long-term commitment of permanent positions.

Duration of Temporary Employment

Typically, a temporary position should not extend beyond six months for the same assignment. However, under certain circumstances, these roles can be extended up to a maximum of 1,040 hours if:

  • The initial reason for the emergency hiring continues.
  • There are no viable alternative solutions.
  • It is not feasible to fill the role with a permanent position or by adjusting existing roles.
This structure ensures that our agencies remain adaptive to immediate needs while maintaining a focus on efficient and strategic resource management.

Refer to our list of frequently asked questions about temporary appointment​s for more information.

​​​​A Designated Individual plays a crucial role in each agency, addressing sensitive issues such as discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault. Agencies are required to appoint a primary and an alternate Designated Individual. 

These appointed individuals are responsible for handling reports of behaviors that violate our standards, including discrimination, all forms of harassment, and other workplace misconduct as defined under policy 50.010.01.

Appointment and Identification

According to ORS 659A.375(b), it is mandatory for each agency to clearly identify these appointed individuals to ensure transparency and accessibility for all employees. This identification process is a critical step in fostering a trustworthy environment where employees can feel safe to report incidents.

Duty to Inform

Under ORS 659A.375(c), Designated Individuals must provide employees with a copy of the relevant agency policy at the time a report is made. This ensures that any employee who reports an incident is immediately made aware of the procedures and protections available to them, reinforcing the agency's commitment to maintaining a respectful and safe workplace.

This framework is designed to support a culture of safety and respect, uphold the agencies' standards, and foster a supportive environment for all employees.​

Refer to HR Policy 50.010.01: Discrimination and Harassment Free Workplace​ for more information.

​​​​In Oregon state government, most new employees are eligible for benefits through the Public Employees' Benefit Board (PEBB), except for temporary hires under ORS 240.309 or those excluded by PEBB rules.

Temporary employees who are expected to work 30 or more hours per week become eligible for benefits starting in their fourth month of employment. The state assesses the eligibility of variable-hour temporary employees after an initial measurement period. However, independent contractors and part time employees do not qualify for these benefits unless they are part of a job-sharing arrangement.

It is crucial to maintain accurate documentation of benefit determinations in employee files. As mandated by the ACA's shared responsibility requirements, the state of Oregon, as an employer, must report coverage offers to the IRS.

It is an ongoing effort between the CHRO and the Workday Oregon team to ensure that the process of benefit determination is both efficient and accurate, in order to promptly offer benefit coverage to eligible temporary employees.

Refer to HR Policy 50.070.01: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act​ for more information.

HR Compliance Services and Evaluations

HR Compliance is responsible for conducting evaluations of state agency compliance with HR policies, rules, and both state and federal laws.

Additionally, agencies have the option to request evaluations of their current practices and processes to ensure ongoing adherence to these standards.

Please submit assessment requests to chro.compliance@das.oregon.gov.