Physical Abilities Tests (PAT) can be a useful tool for employers that seek ideal workers for physically demanding jobs. However, a biased test could cost your business millions in investigations, charges, and lawsuits. Just earlier this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two cases of female discrimination that cost the respective companies $2.5... 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
Clients often ask us should we investigate a complaint filed by an employee even if it has no validity and, if so, how should we do it. In today’s environment of increased scrutiny of sexual harassment, race, gender discrimination and other claims, every complaint should be addressed and potentially investigated. Here’s a quick summary of... View Article
In March of this year, Washington became the 11th state to enact legislation requiring public and private sector employers to delay background checks and inquiries regarding job applicants’ conviction records until after determining an applicant is otherwise qualified for the position. Employers that must comply with the Fair Chance Act include public agencies, private individuals,... View Article
This Thursday, June 7, 2018, an amendment to Washington’s Equal Pay Act goes into effect. This amendment attempts to limit gender discrimination in the workplace by prohibiting discrimination in compensation of “similarly employed” workers of different genders. Under the act, employees are “similarly employed” when: they work for the same company the job done requires... View Article
I recently watched the move “9 to 5” while on a flight. I hadn’t seen it in years and not since I started my own business or began practicing law. I loved it when I first saw and I still found it to be really entertaining. I remember a film class I took in college... View Article
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
A Washington federal district court recently ruled in favor of a terminated employee whose employer failed to accommodate for her use of prescription drugs due to a protected disability. The employee worked in customer service, and suffered from chronic migraines, for which she began receiving injections of the opioid Dilaudid. Due to her disability, she... View Article
On July 17, 2017, USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. If this sounds familiar, it is. The last update to the Form 1-9 was in November of 2016. The easiest way to differentiate the new version from the recent update is to look at the version date in the lower left-hand corner.... View Article