Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) has finalized its second round of rulemaking regarding the State’s new Paid Family Leave Program. These rules provide additional information on employer reporting requirements, voluntary Paid Family Leave program requirements, deadlines, small business assistance, and other issues. The rules will take effect on December 3, 2018. Premium collection will begin... View Article
As business owners, we struggle with balancing what’s right for the customer and what’s right for the business. You’ve probably been approached with an upset customer reminding you that you should listen to your customer and suggesting that, if not stating outright, that “The customer is always right.” Can a business really get away with such an... View Article
On October 1, 2018, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance that requires employers of 20 or more workers to offer employees the opportunity to use pre-tax earnings to purchase commuter benefits. The ordinance is also limited to employees who work an average of 10 or more hours per week in Seattle. According to the... View Article
We seem to value “lifelong learners” in business – you see this as a desired characteristic in job postings and those who are “successful” are typically called out as such. What is a lifelong learner, though? We all learn every day from our experiences, both personal and professional, in our interactions with clients, employees and... View Article
Internships offer additional benefits to employers, namely recruiting and grooming talent for future employment in the organization. The question is: when is a company required to pay interns? There is a common misconception these individuals do not need to be compensated for their work if they are classified as interns. The misclassification of employees as... View Article
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
