Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.

Washington State wildfire smoke rules take effect January 15, 2024. Employers must develop a wildfire smoke response plan, train employees on its use, and monitor jobsites for exposure levels.

As many Washington residents are aware, wildfires, and wildfire smoke,

On December 14, 2023, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) finalized and adopted new rules focused on protecting workers from wildfire smoke hazards that take effect on January 15, 2024.

Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Act has been amended to, among other changes, provide employers with access to claim information that may be helpful in administering concurrent leave and supplemental benefit programs. Washington Minimum Wage Act has been amended to require payment of standalone unused paid sick

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.

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,

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.