I am an hourly employee. I have been out because of my kids quite a bit latley. I have 120 hours per year that I can accrue between personal and vacation time. Since I have been out I have "used" all my personal time weather it's been accrued or not. Since that is all gone they have now been taking away my vacation time, weather it's been accrued or not. I am now negative, but they will not let me come in early or stay late to make up the work (because no one is there at those times). I have asked them to not pay me for those the time I have not been there since I am an hourly employee, They said it's Oregon law and they cannot NOT pay me. is this true? Does an hourly employee HAVE to get paid by law even though they have not worked the hours? Being home sick is not a vactaion!

Your employer is incorrect if he believes the law prohibits unpaid time off.

However, they are not obligated to allow you to take unpaid time either. Your employer is within his rights to require you to use your vacation time.

My boss asks me if i want to use my paid time off when i am not there,but she is just being nice,no company has to give you a choice in fact they like to make you use it so you are less likely to ask for a vacation after having to be gone allready for one reason or another,its just less of a worry for them to schedual a vacation...sorry hon!!