As a business owner, you want to avoid costly employer mistakes. But one of the most complicated challenges you’ll face is successfully managing and leading employees. And it’s rarely the “legal” side of being an employer that poses a problem, but the issues surrounding employee happiness and productivity. These crucial concepts are driven by policies... 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
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
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
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... View Article
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
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
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