Categories for employment

employee handbook

The Importance of an Up-to-date Employee Handbook

by | April 3, 2017

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

The key to employee retention

The Key to Retention

by | February 6, 2017

The recent focus on employee retention, from what we’ve seen at Equinox, arises from two trends. First, it’s really tough to find the right people in the current market. Once you find them, it’s essential that you keep them.  Second, business owners are seeking people who can take over when they retire and key employees... View Article

Washington Minimum Wage Increase Hike January 1st

by | January 11, 2017

On election night Washington voters approved Initiative 1433, which incrementally increases the state’s current minimum wage of $9.47 to $13.50 by 2020. The first hike to $11 per hour is set to occur on January 1, 2017. In addition, the rule requires every employer to provide sick leave starting 2018 as follows: one hour of... View Article

Overtime Rule Blocked

by | January 11, 2017

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a temporary injunction blocking the DOL’s new overtime rule nationwide.What does this temporary injunction mean for employers? It means that, at least for now, employers are not required to comply with the new rule. However, if an employer  has already put the rules into... View Article

DOL Overtime Rules Finally Issued

by | September 2, 2016

On May 18, 2016, the Department of Labor finally issued its much anticipated white collar exemption rules. Here is what employers need to know: Beginning on December 1, 2016, the salary requirements for exempt status will be $913 per week or $47,476 per year. How did the DOL arrive at that number? The amount represents... View Article

Seattle Labor Standards Changes

by | March 31, 2016

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

Tacoma Mandates Sick Leave Pay Effective Feb 1

by | December 9, 2015

By Lauren Burgon Effective February 1, 2016, nearly every employee working even occasionally in Tacoma is entitled to paid sick/safe leave under a new Tacoma law. This applies to private sector employees regardless of where their employer is located or the size of their employer’s business. While the Tacoma law is patterned after Seattle’s paid... View Article