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.
Articles About Washington Labor And Employment Law.
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.
Washington Implements New COVID-19 Safety Rules for Farmworker Housing
On May 14, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health, in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, created new emergency COVID-19-related safety rules that farms must implement if they provide temporary farmworker housing.
Washington State Governor Issues Proclamation Granting “High-Risk” Employees Additional Protections
On April 13, 2020, Washington Governor Inslee issued a proclamation prohibiting employers from engaging in certain employment practices with respect to employees considered high-risk under the proclamation. The proclamation, which remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2020, requires employers to: (1) utilize all available options for alternative work assignments to protect high-risk workers (e.g., telework, social distancing measures); (2) permit high-risk employees who cannot take advantage of such alternative assignments to use any available employer-granted accrued leave or unemployment insurance in any sequence at the discretion of the employee; (3) fully maintain all employer-related health insurance benefits for employees who have exhausted leave, until they are eligible to return to work; and (4) refrain from taking adverse employment action against an employee for exercising their rights.
Washington: Proclamation Extending Job Protections to High-Risk Employees during COVID-19 Crisis
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued a Proclamation extending various job protections to “high-risk” Washington employees. The Proclamation protects (1) any individual aged 65 or older, (2) anyone living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and (3) those with “certain chronic underlying health conditions.”
Washington State Extends Stay Home Proclamation to May 4, 2020
ashington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued a new Proclamation extending his previous Stay Home – Stay Healthy Proclamation that restricted certain social and recreational activities, closed non-essential businesses, and required social distancing at essential businesses.
Washington State Issues New Guidance on Enforcement of Stay Home Proclamation
Washington State Governor Inslee has announced the state has released new guidance for enforcement of his Stay Home — Stay Healthy Proclamation.