Can I Get Unemployment if I’m Fired From My Job in Oregon?
If you work in Oregon and have recently been fired or laid off, you may be wondering if you can claim unemployment benefits.
The short answer: You can file for unemployment if you’re fired or laid off, so long as you aren’t fired for repeated bad behavior or for a very serious mistake.
When can I file for unemployment after being fired?
You may be able to collect unemployment if you were fired, suspended, or let go of your job for things like:
- Company financial problems.
- Personality conflicts.
- Personal issues, such as health or relationship problems.
- Making honest mistakes at work.
- A single lapse in judgment.
When you can't collect unemployment
You most likely can't collect unemployment if you were fired for repeated bad behavior. For example, you can’t get unemployment if you were fired for:
- Repeatedly disobeying your employer’s rules and policies simply because you disagree with them.
- Frequently skipping work or arriving late due to poor time management or a lack of interest in your job.
- Not doing your work because you dislike your job or your boss.
- Regularly verbally abusing or harassing your coworkers or boss.
Where to get help in Oregon
- Free legal hotline: If you aren’t sure if you qualify, you can call Oregon’s Public Benefits hotline at 1-800-520-5292 for quick, free advice from a legal aid lawyer or paralegal. The hotline is open Monday to Thursday. Find out more about the hotline here.
- Employment lawyers: You can also consult with a private employment lawyer if you have questions about unemployment benefits or other job-related questions. For help finding a lawyer, you can call Oregon’s Lawyer Referral Service.
Ready to apply?
- Apply online using Oregon’s Employment Department Frances Online website.
- Be honest about why you quit.
- Explain the steps you took to try to solve the problem before quitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oregon’s unemployment laws are found in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon’s Administrative Rules (OARs).
- ORS 657.176(2) says you can't get unemployment if you were fired or suspended for misconduct connected with work.
- OAR 471-030-0038 explains that misconduct means a willful or wanton negligent violation of your employer’s rules.
You can also read Oregon case examples to get a better understanding of how these laws apply to real-life situations:
- Oregon Employment Appeals Board Decision 2024-EAB-0226: A worker was approved for unemployment benefits because the appeals board found no misconduct because it was an isolated incident of poor judgment, not willful wrongdoing.
- Perez v. Employment Dept. (1999): A long-time supervisor told his boss to “stick it.” The court found this was an isolated instance of poor judgment, not misconduct, and awarded the worker unemployment benefits.
If your claim is denied, you can fight the decision by going through an appeals process. But you only have 20 days to file your appeal, so act quickly!
Learn more about unemployment appeals and how to file an appeal here.
Yes. When you apply for unemployment, you must share details and provide documents about your work situation. You may need to prove later that what you put on your application was true.
Here are some tips:
- Write down what happened: Make a simple timeline of events, including dates, people involved, and what was said.
- Save messages or emails: Keep copies of emails, texts, or notes that show what the problem was and how you tried to resolve it.
- Document unsafe or unfair treatment: If you experienced unsafe conditions, harassment, or major job changes, write down what happened as soon as possible.
- Get copies of important workplace documents: These can include schedules, write-ups, policy changes, or incident reports.
Keeping clear records can help you explain why you were fired or suspended.
If you are laid off or fired for reasons other than misconduct, you can still collect unemployment even if you get a severance package.
On the other hand, if you choose to quit in exchange for getting a severance package, you probably don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. This is considered voluntary leave, which disqualifies you from receiving unemployment benefits. (See Employment Appeals Board Decision 2025-EAB-0304 for a recent case example).