In 2021, Washington established a long-term care benefit program for Washington workers called the WA Cares Fund. In short, the program implements a mandatory 0.58 percent payroll deduction on employee wages to create a state trust fund, which, beginning in 2025, will be used to fund certain long-term care costs
Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.
Revised Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Expands Who Are Covered Family Members
Beginning July 25, 2021, employees can use Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WPFML) to care for more people.
Washington Becomes Second State to Issue Emergency Heat Standard
On July 9, 2021, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries filed an emergency rule to increase protection for employees exposed to extreme heat at work. This includes employees working in agriculture, construction, and other outdoor industries. The new regulations took effect on July 13, 2021.
Washington Employers Can’t Relax After Reopening Under New COVID-19 Rules
While Washington state reopened on June 30 with the new Washington Ready plan, under which most industries have returned to normal capacity and operations, this reopening has loosened, but not eliminated, COVID-19 safety and masking requirements for employees and customers.
Employers Must Collect Employee Premiums under the New “Washington Cares” Program Starting 1/1/2022; Employee Window to Obtain Alternate Coverage Closes on 11/1/2021
On April 21, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed into effect the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act, now called the “WA Cares Fund” (or “Fund”), making Washington the first state in the country to adopt a mandatory, public, state-run long-term care insurance program for workers. Below are a
Washington Expands Safety Obligations for Temporary Construction, Manufacturing Workers
Worksite employers and staffing agencies that use temporary construction and manufacturing workers are subject to new safety obligations in Washington designed to protect the temporary workers from workplace hazards and injury.
Washington Staffing Agencies and Worksite Employers Must Now Train Temporary Employees on Workplace Safety Hazards
On April 14, 2021, Washington governor Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1206, creating new requirements for staffing agencies and worksite employers utilizing temporary employees to provide training on workplace safety and health hazards. Under the new law, worksite employers must notify staffing agencies about the anticipated
Washington Passes Two New Laws to Prepare for the Next Pandemic
Washington has adopted new laws that presume workers’ compensation coverage for “frontline employees,” creating reporting requirements, and provide additional protections for “high risk” workers designed to better prepare the state for the next pandemic. The new laws take effect immediately.
Washington Steps Up Insurance Protections for Gender Affirming Treatments
As some states make headlines for so-called “anti-trans” laws, the Washington state legislature rejected a bill designed to limit youth participation in sports based on their gender as assigned on a birth certificate and passed the new Gender Affirming Treatment Act. This Act prohibits health insurers from denying or limiting
Beyond COVID-19: Washington SB 5115 Expands Workers’ Compensation Liability and Notice Requirements for Infectious Diseases
On May 11, 2021, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), which expands the workers’ compensation framework for infectious and contagious diseases and imposes new notice requirements on employers.
New Washington Payroll Tax to Pay for ‘Free’ Long-Term Care Benefits from the State
Washington has adopted the nation’s first state-run long-term care (LTC) services and support trust program.
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.
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