Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.

Washington’s Silenced No More Act limits all Washington employers’ use of nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in employment agreements.

The Washington Employment Security Department’s (ESD) Leave and Care Division has adopted rules to implement revisions to the Washington Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (also known as “WA Cares”). The new rules will become effective October 29, 2022.

This summer is shaping out to be another scorcher and Washington State employers should know about the Department of Labor & Industries (“LNI”) new emergency requirements for heat and smoke protections for outdoor employees effective June 15 through September 29.

Washington’s emergency requirements are meant to help employees avoid heat

On August 2, 2022, the Seattle City Council voted to repeal the city’s $4 per hour COVID-19 pandemic “hazard pay” requirements related to grocery employees. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell approved the measure the next day.

Shortly after the Washington State legislature approved legislation that sets minimum wage and other benefits for gig drivers of rideshare companies, the City of Seattle passed the first of a series of bills that ask app-based companies for all gig type workers to “Pay Up.”

With summer weather and wildfire season approaching, Washington employers will have new seasonal workplace safety rules to take into account. On June 1, 2022, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) adopted emergency rules that add to already existing protections for outdoor workers from the summer conditions of

The Washington Employment Security Department has amended the “waiting period” regulation, WAC 192-500-185, for certain employees who successfully apply to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program.

Under Washington’s PFML, the “waiting period” falls during the first seven consecutive calendar days beginning with the Sunday of the first

In an effort to close what is viewed as a persistent pay gap, Washington has amended its Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) for the second time to require employers to include wage and benefit information in their job postings.  This replaces the prior requirement that employers provide this

With the groundbreaking enactment of a new law relating to certain transportation network companies, rideshare drivers in Washington State will soon enjoy various benefits typically associated with employee status while retaining the independence and flexibility of their independent contractor status.

On March 30th, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SB 5761, which will require employers to include in each job posting salary or pay range and information about other compensation and benefits.  The new law goes into effect January 1, 2023.  Read more.

On March 24, 2022, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the “Silenced No More Act,” which becomes effective June 9, 2022 (“Effective Date”). The Act prohibits agreements containing non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions that restrict applicants, employees, and independent contractors from openly discussing conduct or a legal settlement involving conduct that the applicant, employee, or contractor “reasonably believed” was illegal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, a wage and hour violation, a sexual assault, or conduct that is “against a clear mandate of public policy.” This new law does not prohibit an employer from keeping confidential the amount paid in the settlement of any claim, nor does it prohibit employers from protecting trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential information that does not involve illegal conduct.

On March 30, 2022, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 5761, a measure that requires employers to affirmatively disclose in each job posting open to applicants the salary range or wage scale to be offered, as well as a general description of all benefits and other