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
Articles Discussing General Topics In Washington Labor & Employment Law.
Amendment to Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave Act’s Waiting Period Benefits Employees
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
Washington Becomes Third Jurisdiction to Require Wage Disclosures in Job Postings
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
Washington’s New Law Presents Sweeping Changes to Gig Economy
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.
Washington State to Require Employers to Disclose Salary and Benefits Information on Job Postings
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.
Washington State’s New Law on NDAs and Settlement Agreements
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.
Washington Employers Required to Disclose Salary Range and Wage Scale in Job Postings Beginning January 1, 2023
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
Washington State to Join the Growing List of States with Expanding Pay Disclosure Requirements
The rise of state pay transparency laws continues, this time with Washington doubling down on its most recent round of pay equity legislation. If new legislation currently on the desk of Governor Inslee becomes law, Washington employers will soon be required to make affirmative compensation-based disclosures to both applicants and
New Washington Labor Protections for Rideshare Drivers
Drivers for rideshare companies that connect drivers and users through smartphones or a digital network in Washington have new labor protections under legislation passed by the Washington legislature. HB 2076 creates new rights for drivers providing services through “transportation network company drivers” (TNCs), classifying the workers as independent contractors rather than employees based on certain factors.
Washington Legislature Passes Limits on Use of Nondisclosure, Nondisparagement Clauses in Employment
The Washington legislature has passed the “Silenced No More Act,” which would limit all Washington employers’ use of nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in employment agreements.
Washington Updates COVID-19 Rules After Lifting Mask Mandate
Washington State has issued several updates to COVID-19 orders and guidance to clarify masking rules following Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement that the state-wide mask mandate was lifted effective March 12, 2022.
Washington’s ‘Silenced No More Act’ Would Limit Use of Nondisclosure and Nondisparagement Provisions in Employment Agreements
The Washington Legislature recently voted to send the Silenced No More Act (Engrossed Substitute House Bill [ESHB] 1795) to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk for signature. As currently drafted, the proposed legislation would prohibit nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in agreements between employers and employees regarding “illegal acts of discrimination, harassment, retaliation,
Washington Lifting Indoor COVID-19 Mask Mandate on March 11
Most indoor COVID-19 masking requirements in Washington will be abandoned beginning March 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., Governor Jay Inslee has announced.
New Laws Postpone Washington Cares Act Employee Premiums to July 1, 2023, and Require Employers to Refund any Premiums Already Collected
Washington Delays Implementation of Long-Term Care Legislation
On January 27, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills that delay implementation and propose several reforms to the Washington Cares Act, which created a payroll tax to support Washington residents with the costs of long-term care.