On January 5, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee announced the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” Covid-19 recovery plan (the “Recovery Plan”). The plan presents a phased reopening of certain businesses and activities based on key health metrics in each Washington county. The Recovery Plan will officially go into effect on January 11, 2020, and all... View Article
We previously posted an article about the new non-compete legislation in Washington that was expected to be signed into law. Since that original article was posted, the bill was in fact signed and Washington employers should begin preparing for the new rules to take effect on January 1, 2020. But what do employers really need... View Article
If you are a business owner with more than 100 employees, you’re likely already familiar with the Employer Information Report (EEO-1). For anyone who is not already familiar, the EEO-1 Report is a “compliance survey mandated by federal statute and regulations… [which] requires company employment data to be categorized by race/ethniticy, gender, and job category.”[1]... View Article
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
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
This week the Washington Department of Revenue will require some out-of-state businesses (remote sellers) to collect sales tax. A remote seller who, during the current or previous year, has at least $100,000 in retail sales to Washington consumers or at least 200 separate transactions with Washington consumers is required to collect and remit sales taxes.... View Article
On Tuesday, November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Save Local Business Act”, the latest attempt to reverse the precedent set by the Browning-Ferris decision which led to a broad interpretation of “joint employment”. The Save Local Business Act, H.R. 3441, amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards... View Article
You don’t often find the words “innovation” and “lawyer” used closely together. Lawyers and law firms are known for their aversion to risk and, thus, to change; and innovation requires change. Innovation requires a change in thinking and a change in how things are done. It’s not just lawyers who avoid change. For most individuals... View Article
Employers had until the end of February to comment on proposed changes to proposed revisions to Chapter 90 Rules for Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance (SMC 14.19). The revisions were made to put the rules in compliance with Initiative 1433 (WA Minimum Wage) and the Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance. Many of the proposed revisions are not... View Article