Washington has adopted the nation’s first state-run long-term care (LTC) services and support trust program.
Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.
Washington Amends Its Paid Family and Medical Leave Act in Response to Pandemic
The Washington State Legislature has temporarily amended the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Act to create pandemic leave assistance grants for certain employees and employers. Employees and employers cannot apply for these grants until August 1, 2021. This amendment expires on June 30, 2023. Read more about these
Washington Amends High-Risk Employee Proclamation to Expand Medical Verifications
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has amended the High-Risk Employee Proclamation, making it easier for employers to seek medical verification from employees of whether they are high-risk for COVID-19 and what accommodations might allow them to return to work, as well as other changes. Governor Inslee has also issued a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet.
Seattle Implements Hazard Pay for Grocery Employees
On January 25, 2021, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance requiring hazard pay for certain grocery business employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Durkin signed the ordinance into law on January 29. Below are expected questions and answers for employers related to the new ordinance, which took effect
Seattle City Council Approves Legislation Requiring Grocery Businesses to Provide $4/Hour Hazard Pay
On January 25, 2021, the Seattle City Council approved Council Bill 119990 (also referred to as the “hazard pay ordinance”), which establishes $4 per hour COVID-19 hazard pay for grocery employees working in the City of Seattle. Below is a chart summarizing the key provisions of the hazard pay ordinance.
Washington: New COVID-19 Roadmap to Recovery Plan
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued Proclamation 20-25.12 and the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan, which create a new two-phase, regional framework of business reopening and social distancing rules to handle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington: New COVID-19 Quarantine Proclamation, Amendment to Rollback of Reopening Rules
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued Proclamation 20-83, which creates a mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for travelers into the state from certain countries, including the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Washington: Extension on Rollback of Reopening Rules
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s new amended COVID-19 Proclamation extended and modified his recent rollback of the reopening rules in the state. The modifications went into effect immediately and are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on January 4, 2021.
Washington State Issues Advisory Urging Travelers to Quarantine for Two Weeks
On November 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington State recommending a 14-day quarantine for all persons entering the state and encouraging residents to stay close to home.
Washington State Is Developing Wildfire Smoke Worker-Safety Rules
Smoke from Western wildfires caused Washington state to experience some of the worst air quality in the world this year, which increased health risks to outdoor workers. In response, the state’s Department of Labor & Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“L&I” or “Division”) announced that it is developing
Washington: New Rollback of Phased Reopening Rules
To address the spread of COVID-19, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has rolled back some of the phased reopening rules in this state. The new amended Proclamation and accompanying guidance mandate several statewide modifications to existing rules. The latest modifications are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on December 14, 2020.
Washington Raises Income Thresholds for Workers Subject to Noncompetition Covenants
In May 2019, Washington enacted restrictions on noncompetition covenants, which we wrote about in our article, “Washington State Governor Signs Legislation Restricting Noncompetition Covenants,” and which took effect on January 1, 2020.
City of Portland Bans Private Entities From Using Facial Recognition Technologies
The City of Portland, Oregon becomes the first city in the United States to ban the use of facial recognition technologies in the private sector citing, among other things, a lack of standards for the technology and wide ranges in accuracy and error rates that differ by race and gender.
Washington State Institutes Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Requirement for Food Production Workers
On August 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-67: Food Production Workers Paid Leave. Proclamation 20-67 modifies previous proclamations to prohibit any food production employer from continuing to operate between August 18, 2020 and November 13, 2020, unless it provides its workers with emergency supplemental paid sick leave
Washington Governor Creates COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program
Under the Washington COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program, no food production employer in Washington may operate from August 18, 2020, to November 13, 2020, unless the employer provides its workers with paid leave for certain qualifying events.
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