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.
Articles About Washington Labor And Employment Law.
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
Washington Wage and Hour Developments for Q1 2022
In Washington, the first quarter of 2022, which included the regular legislative session, has included various updates and adjustments to Washington’s wage and hour and related reporting laws.
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.
Washington Delays Payroll Tax and Adds Exemptions for Long-Term Services and Support Trust Program
After months of confusion about whether to begin withholding premiums from employees’ paychecks on January 1, 2022, employers and employees in Washington state have gotten a reprieve from the controversial payroll tax for the long-term services and support program, called the WA Cares Fund.
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.
Washington Employers May Consider Delaying January 2022 Start Date for Collecting “Washington Cares Act” Premiums from Employees
Updated December 30, 2021
Washington Governor Clarifies That Employers Are Still ‘Legally Obligated’ to Pay Premiums Under the Washington Cares Act
On December 22, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee sent a letter to Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) ordering it to not collect premiums under the Washington Cares Fund program until the legislature addresses some of the law’s issues. The letter acknowledged that “legislative leadership has strongly encouraged the employer community to
Washington Long-Term Cares Fund Update: Employers Advised to Withhold Premiums Starting January 1
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has clarified that, starting January 1, “employers will still be legally obligated to pay the full amount owed to state ESD [Employment Security Department] to begin the long-term care program” under the Washington Long-Term Services and Supports Act, until the legislature changes the law.