Legacy Health has reached a settlement with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries over complaints regarding rest and meal breaks for nurses, ending a six-year legal battle. The nonprofit hospital system has agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine for violating state laws that mandate meal breaks in the middle of an eight-hour shift and 10-minute rest breaks every four hours.
The settlement includes Legacy Health paying $1.25 million upfront, with the remaining $1 million fine waived after three years if the hospital system passes audits of its rest and meal break records. This resolution comes after Legacy challenged nearly $5 million in fines issued by the state in 2018, leading to a federal court battle that was pending before the Ninth Circuit Court.
The complaints covered in the settlement pertain to four Legacy hospitals: Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, and Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center. A Legacy spokesperson emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring employees receive proper breaks to prevent burnout and provide quality patient care.
Commissioner Christina Stephenson of the Bureau of Labor and Industries highlighted the importance of upholding fair employment practices, including providing adequate meal and rest breaks for workers. The state’s rules on breaks apply unless there is a collective bargaining agreement in place, underscoring the significance of protecting workers’ rights in the healthcare industry.