Homecare workers: How would a 40-hour cap affect you?

The State of Oregon is working to get state wage and hour laws into compliance with the new federal overtime protections for homecare workers. Our elected bargaining team has significant concerns about DHS’s proposals. The State’s proposal would cap workers’ paid hours at 40 per week, unless the Consumer qualifies for an exception (this is only for hourly workers and does not apply to APD Live-Ins). This proposal could negatively impact thousands of workers and consumers. Where are consumers going to find additional workers—especially as we’re facing a significant shortage of qualified and trained care providers in Oregon. Please let us know how these proposals would affect you:

Question Title

* 1. Please complete the following contact information:

First name *

Last name

Address

City *

State

ZIP

Email address

Phone number

Question Title

* 2. If you are a relative provider, what is your relationship to your consumer (e.g., parent, grandparent, etc)?

Question Title

* 3. What do you think of DHS’ proposed 40-hour-per-week cap for hourly workers? (Does not apply to APD Live-ins) Choose only one answer.

I think a 40-hour cap is fair

I don’t think a 40-hour cap is fair and we should work to increase it. The cap should be more than 40 hours per week.

This does not apply to me or the consumer(s) I work for

Describe how a 40-hour per week cap would affect you and your consumer(s):

Many consumers have expressed concern about the proposed hours cap. Consumers who have built long-term relationships with a provider worry about finding and training a new worker to cover the additional hours if their primary provider’s hours are capped. This is of special concern for DD consumers and consumers in rural areas, because there are so few available trained PSWs to cover the extra hours.

Question Title

* 4. If you know a consumer who is willing to tell their story about how a proposed hours cap would affect them, please enter their name and contact information here:

Name

City

Email Address

Phone Number

You can ask your consumer to complete the consumer survey online here: seiu503.org/xxxx

Or you can request a printed copy of the consumer survey by calling your SEIU 503 Organizer: 1.800.452.2146

Question Title

* 5. What are you willing to do to help win a higher hours cap? Check all that apply.

Travel to Salem and help deliver the message to DHS

Come to a local action to deliver the message

Share my story

Encourage my consumer employer to complete the consumer survey (http://www.seiu503.org/consumer-hourscap)

Other (please specify)