On March 13, 2024, Washington’s noncompete law was amended to further limit the use of noncompete provisions and nonsolicitation provisions against employees and contractors. The changes are a significant shift, and most employment agreements that have restrictive covenants will be in violation of the new requirements. It’s critical to review and update these documents prior... View Article
NOTE: This rule is currently in litigation and has not taken effect. We will continue to monitor and update this post. Employers should be aware of the continuing trends toward employee rights and be prepared for this kind of rule from states and the federal government. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has rolled out... View Article
At Equinox, we champion transparency as the ultimate best practice. In today's business landscape, the trend of "radical transparency" can either be a strategic advantage or a self-destructive move. In this post, we delve into the complexities of transparency, guiding you through legal, regulatory, compliance, and cost considerations.
How is the Changing Perception of Cannabis Impacting Employment Practices? As legalized cannabis becomes more prevalent and widely accepted, so too have the attitudes and perspectives on cannabis usage evolved, including a shift in the current employment-related cannabis testing practices. Despite being a legal substance in Washington State, many employers still routinely choose to require... View Article
Consumer health data, as defined by the Act, encompasses a wide range of personal information linked to or reasonably could identify a consumer’s past, current, or future physical or mental health status consumer's physical or mental health status. Examples include individual health conditions, treatments, genetic data, diseases, diagnosis, use or purchase of prescribed medications, vital signs, bodily functions, symptoms, genetic data, biometric data, and more!
Starting January 1, 2024, Washington State is set to introduce a series of wage adjustments that will impact businesses of all sizes. In 2020, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries updated the rules for exempt workers by creating an eight-year implementation schedule that incrementally raises the multiplier until it reaches 2.5 times in 2028. Though the pace of the increase is based on the size of the employer, small enterprises to large corporations alike will feel the effects of these changes.
On August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued the Stericycle, Inc. decision, creating a new standard for scrutinizing employer “work rules”. Work rules can consist of company handbooks, policies, and procedures. This decision specifically addresses employer work rules that could reasonably be construed as restricting employees’ rights to engage in activities protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), like unionization or openly discussing wages or benefits. Employers should carefully review their handbooks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with this decision and prepare for potential challenges.
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.
Over the last two decades, obesity levels in the United States have been on the rise along with a growing concern of discrimination based on weight in the workplace. As a result, states and local governments are starting to take action. In Washington, it is therefore illegal for employers to refuse to hire qualified potential employees because the employer perceives them to be obese.
