As the effective date of Statewide Paid Sick and Safe time quickly approaches, I have had several clients say to me, “We are covered by Seattle Sick and Safe, so we don’t have to worry.” This isn’t true for two reasons: 1) Just because you are covered by Seattle (or another city ordinance requiring paid... View Article
Running a business is all about your people. They're the heart and soul of your operation, the driving force behind your success. But there's a twist – a tricky one. The legal landscape surrounding HR and employment is like a constantly shifting maze. If you're a business owner, you've probably felt the challenge of keeping up with the ever-changing rules and regulations. Laws vary from state to state, and they seem to morph faster than you can say "compliance." It's a tough nut to crack, no doubt, but it's a challenge you need to conquer.
On Thursday, November 4, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that outlines a vaccine and testing mandate for private employers that have 100 or more employees. While the ETS technically went into effect on Friday, November 5, employers have until December 6 to comply with most requirements and January... View Article
Business leaders have successfully adapted to their changing workplace & lifestyle, but confusion can loom over plans to reopen. As Washington nears the end of Phase I of Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan, business owners face a new challenge of reopening safely & meeting strict legal requirements. Questions around their ability to reopen, documenting and... View Article
At the time of writing this post, there are currently 91 confirmed or presumed-positive cases of novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the United States. Just in the past three days, three deaths were reported in the state of Washington, bringing the count to six deaths to date in this state. The latest news reports provide... View Article
The term audit typically carries a heavy, negative connotation. And it makes sense — especially for business owners. Being subject to an audit means taking your time and attention away from your daily operations and the things that matter most to you. However, it is possible to make an audit less painful and to take... View Article
September has arrived and those with kids are getting back into the school routine. Your employee’s schedules and mindsets may have shifted to new schedules and priorities. For many, these shifts are subtle – maybe a day off or a slightly later start time – while for others the preparation for back to school creates... View Article
When is the last time you looked at your employee handbook? When business owners ask for advise around managing employees or workforce issues, we often begin by asking , “Do you have a policy around [insert relevant issue : Time sheets? Vaping? Bringing your bunny to work]?” We frequently look to the handbook as a... View Article
By Victoria Bartow On April 1st, significant changes are taking effect regarding Seattle labor standards. An overview of the changes and current Seattle laws is provided here by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS). Some key changes are discussed below: Notice of Employment Information: By April 1st, employers should provide employees (new and existing) a... View Article