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News Category: Employment

Employment Law Update: Two New Laws Expand Federal Protections for Both Pregnant and Nursing Workers

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) takes effect on June 27, 2023, and requires private employers with at least 15 employees to provide reasonable accommodations to their employees for pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, and related medical conditions, including lactation. Such reasonable accommodations may include flexible hours, additional break time, and/or light work activity and must be determined via

Employment Law ALERT – New Job Posting Requirements Begin January 1, 2023

Beginning on January 1, 2023,  all employers, with 15 or more employees (including employees in other states), engaging in any business, industry, profession, or activity in Washington (including recruiting for Washington-based employees) must disclose (i) a wage scale or salary range and (ii) a general description of benefits and other compensation on job postings that

Employment Law ALERT – New Seattle Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance

For any business who uses independent contractors or has plans to hire an independent contractor who will be performing work in Seattle, an ordinance taking effect on September 1, 2022, impacts what information you must provide to the independent contractor at the start of the engagement and with each payment. The ordinance includes nearly every independent

Employment Law Alert: Silenced No More Act

Washington now prohibits nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements between employers and employees relating to certain illegal conduct. The Silenced No More Act was signed into law this spring and makes void and unenforceable any provision in an agreement with a current, former, or prospective employee or independent contractor that bars the employee or contractor from “disclos[ing] or

UPDATED: Overview of Washington State Tax Law Changes Beginning January 1, 2022

UPDATE: On January 27, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills passed by the Legislature making key changes to WA Cares Fund. These reforms address coverage gaps and delay program implementation by 18 months. Significant changes include: Employees near retirement (born before 1968) will now be able to qualify for partial benefits on a pro-rated basis.

City of Seattle Verification of Vaccination Order Now in Effect

Yesterday, October 25, 2021, the City of Seattle’s new local Verification of Vaccination Order went into effect, requiring and empowering local officials to require all patrons and customers (aged 12 years and older) to provide verification that they are fully vaccinated at the following events and establishments: Outdoor recreational and entertainment events with 500 or

Privacy in the Workplace: Employee Dress or Appearance Policies

(This blog is the third installment in a multi-part series regarding privacy in the workplace.) Employee dress codes and policies can be an important way to ensure that employees properly represent the company’s image and do not offend customers or the general public. Dress codes may also promote safety in the workplace (for example, no

EMPLOYMENT LAW ALERT: THE NEW HEALTH EMERGENCY LABOR STANDARDS ACT

On May 11, 2021, Governor Inslee signed into law the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act. The Act revises the state’s workers’ compensation and industrial health and safety statutes to provide new protections for high risk and frontline workers during any public health emergency, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the additional protections under

Privacy in the Workplace: Employee Searches

(This blog is the second installment in a multi-part series regarding privacy in the workplace.) Employers have a general right to protect their property and employees. In addition to surveillance and monitoring, some employers choose to conduct searches of areas and equipment used by employees. This can include searches of offices, lockers, desks, phones, computers,