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.
Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.
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.
Washington Governor Expands Job Protections for High-Risk Employees during COVID-19 Crisis
With an amended Proclamation, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced on July 29 that Proclamation 20-46 regarding Washington “high-risk” employees will be extended through the duration of his current State of Emergency and provide expanded protections to those workers.
Seattle Enacts Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance During COVID-19 Crisis
The Seattle City Council has enacted the Paid Sick and Safe Time for Gig Workers Ordinance, which temporarily provides paid sick and safe time (PSST) to “gig workers” for online-based food delivery network companies and drivers of transportation network companies with 250 or more gig workers worldwide. The ordinance takes
Washington: Proclamation Extending Time Period for High-Risk Employee Job Protection
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued a new Proclamation that extends until 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2020, the job protections in place for “high-risk” Washington employees. The job protections were to expire at 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2020, under the previous Proclamation.
High-risk employees are (1) any
Seattle Passes Ordinance Providing COVID-19 Paid Sick and Safe Time for Gig Workers
On June 1, 2020, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance temporarily requiring certain companies that rely on “gig economy” workers to provide paid sick and safe time to those workers for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
Washington State Reopens for Business with New Policies, Procedures, and Protective Equipment
Washington’s COVID-19 reopening guidance is constantly developing. As the state’s reopening plan continues to unfold, employers are encouraged to visit the governor’s website and consult knowledgeable counsel to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date requirements and guidance.
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