The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) released a draft administrative policy regarding tips, gratuities, and service charge requirements for employers.
Articles Discussing Washington State Wage & Hour Laws.
Amazon’s Attempt to Toss Retaliation Lawsuit is Overruled
Amazon’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit against one of its managers was overruled in federal court last month. An ex-Amazon warehouse manager was named as a defendant in Washington court for his disparaging remarks against a female, Latinx worker. The woman accused her supervisor of comparing her to Pablo
Washington Paid Family Medical Leave Program’s Premium Rate Increased for 2023
Beginning on January 1, 2023, the Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave Program’s “total premium” rate rose to 0.8% from 0.6%. This rate is recalculated annually in October, based on contributions from premiums and benefits paid during the previous year.
As was true in previous years, employers must report to
Washington State Finalizes 2023 Pay Transparency Requirements
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (LNI) released the final version of its Administrative Policy on the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act to guide employers on the new pay transparency requirements that became effective January 1, 2023.
This policy gives insight into how LNI will interpret, apply, and enforce the
Washington Updates Guidance On 2023 Pay Transparency Requirements
Washington State’s Employment Security Department recently released a draft administrative policy with updated guidance on the modified pay transparency requirements beginning January 1, 2023. This draft policy aims to clarify issues raised by stakeholders in the feedback process for the development of the final administrative policy. The draft policy gives
Washington State Announces 2023 Minimum Wage Rate and Salary Thresholds
The 2023 minimum wage rate in Washington State will increase to $15.74 per hour for employees sixteen years of age and older, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced on September 30, 2022.
Washington to Require Salary Ranges in Job Postings Starting 2023
Effective January 1, 2023, Washington employers with at least 15 employees must affirmatively disclose the wage scale or salary range and a general description of all benefits and other compensation being offered when posting job openings, regardless of whether such information is requested by the applicant.
Washington Amends Its Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
The Washington State Legislature has again amended the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Act. This amendment is effective June 9, 2022. Here is a list of the most significant changes to the law:
First six weeks of postnatal leave for incapacitated employee is presumptively medical leave. During the
Washington Revises Its Pay Transparency Law to Require Proactive Salary Disclosure
On March 30, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill (SB) 5761, updating Washington’s existing pay transparency law. Previously, after an employer made an initial job offer to an external applicant, the employer was required to provide the minimum wage or salary to the applicant if the applicant requested the
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.
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.
Washington Court of Appeals Expands Compensability of Out-of-Town Travel Time for Employees
Washington employers should rethink their policies on paying non-exempt employees for travel time based upon a recent appellate court ruling that travel time for out-of-town travel is considered compensable “hours worked” as a matter of Washington law. Port of Tacoma v. Sacks, No. 54498-9-II (Wash. Ct. App. Sept. 21, 2021).
FMCSA Issues Order Preempting Washington’s Meal and Rest Break Rules as Applied to Commercial Truck Drivers
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an order this week that Washington State’s meal and rest break rules are preempted as applied to property-carrying commercial motor vehicle drivers subject to its hours of service rules.
Washington State Radically Increases Minimum Salary, Fee and Hourly Rates for White Collar Overtime Exemptions
On December 11, 2019, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries announced its final rule amending Washington State’s white collar overtime exemption regulations. If not overridden by the Legislature or successfully challenged in court, the rule will radically increase the pay rates necessary to qualify for the white collar exemptions in Washington State.
Washington Supreme Court Finds that City of SeaTac Minimum Wage/Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Applies to Employers Located at the Port of Seattle
The legal challenge to the SeaTac Minimum Employment Standard for Hospitality and Transportation Industry Employers (“SeaTac Ordinance”) was dealt a possibly lethal blow as the Washington Supreme Court reversed the King County Superior Court’s ruling that the Ordinance does not apply to businesses operating within the Port of Seattle. After the SeaTac Ordinance was passed in 2013, legal challenges began. In December 2013, King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas ruled that the Ordinance was invalid as to “employers and employees conducting business within the boundaries of SeaTac International Airport.”