A putative class action recently filed in Seattle, Washington, against a solar energy equipment company could be the first lawsuit to test the bounds of the state’s relatively new restrictions on noncompetition agreements for lower-wage employees.
Articles About Washington Labor And Employment Law.
New Washington State Law Will Protect Job Applicants From Discrimination Based on Off-Duty Marijuana Use
Employers in Washington will soon be prohibited from making hiring decisions based on preemployment testing for off-the-job cannabis use or test results showing nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in an applicant’s hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Washington’s new law, Senate Bill 5123, signed by Governor Jay Inslee on May 9,
Washington Amends Law to Protect Off-Duty Marijuana Use in 2024
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Governor Inslee signed into law Senate Bill No. 5123, which will protect prospective employees from discrimination in hiring due to their lawful, off-duty use of marijuana. With this law, Washington will join the growing list of states offering some workplace protections to workers who
Washington State to Bar Employers From Relying on Off-Duty Use of Marijuana in Hiring Decisions
The state of Washington will prohibit employers from making hiring decisions based on off-duty use of cannabis or positive pre-employment drug test results that find an applicant to have nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in their hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. The new law (SB 5123) takes effect on January 1, 2024.
Washington’s Governor Signs New Health Data Privacy Act
Health data privacy, including in the context of reproductive health, was strengthened last week when Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed the “My Health, My Data Act” on April 27, 2023. See our summary of the law here.
Set to take effect on March 31, 2024, the new law aims to
Washington State’s My Health, My Data Act Sent to Governor
Since the privacy and security regulations were issued under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), critics pointed to the limitations on the reach of those rules. A critical limitation advanced by privacy advocates is that the popular health data privacy rule extends only to certain covered entities
Gig Workers Get New Protections in Washington
New laws in Seattle and Washington State allow certain gig workers greater access to traditional employee benefits.
Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Leave
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed into law the App-Based Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance on March 29, 2023. Among other things, this law requires that
Washington Releases Draft Policy on Tips, Gratuities, and Service Charges
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) released a draft administrative policy regarding tips, gratuities, and service charge requirements for employers.
Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries Proposes Changes to Permanent Heat Illness Prevention Rules for Outdoor Workers
In 2022, Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) drafted permanent workplace safety rules aimed at protecting workers from outdoor heat exposure. On March 21, 2023, L&I filed proposed updates to the rule that would broaden the protections for outdoor workers in Washington. This continued evolution of heat illness
Seattle Enacts First-of-Its-Kind Law Protecting Individuals Against Discrimination Based on Caste
The Seattle City Council passed a first-of-its-kind ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on caste in employment, housing, and public accommodation. Seattle’s mayor approved the ordinance on February 23, 2023, and the ordinance will take effect March 25, 2023, 30 days from the mayor’s approval.
Seattle Becomes the First U.S. Jurisdiction to Prohibit Caste Discrimination
On February 21, 2023, Seattle, WA became the first U.S. jurisdiction to add caste to its list of categories protected against discrimination. This law defines “caste” as a social structure mostly associated with South Asian communities, many of whom live and work in Seattle.
Amazon’s Attempt to Toss Retaliation Lawsuit is Overruled
Amazon’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit against one of its managers was overruled in federal court last month. An ex-Amazon warehouse manager was named as a defendant in Washington court for his disparaging remarks against a female, Latinx worker. The woman accused her supervisor of comparing her to Pablo
Washington Paid Family Medical Leave Program’s Premium Rate Increased for 2023
Beginning on January 1, 2023, the Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave Program’s “total premium” rate rose to 0.8% from 0.6%. This rate is recalculated annually in October, based on contributions from premiums and benefits paid during the previous year.
As was true in previous years, employers must report to
Washington State Finalizes 2023 Pay Transparency Requirements
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (LNI) released the final version of its Administrative Policy on the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act to guide employers on the new pay transparency requirements that became effective January 1, 2023.
This policy gives insight into how LNI will interpret, apply, and enforce the
Washington State Issues Final Policy on Pay Transparency in Job Postings, Setting Most Stringent Requirements in the Country
Washington State issued guidance on pay transparency law taking effect on January 1, 2023. Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requires disclosure of wage scale/salary range and description of benefits and other compensation for the position. Law applies if the employer has one Washington-based employee, engages in business in
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