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Jul 23 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC updates COVID-19 symptoms and return to work guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to make significant changes in its recommendations regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) as new information becomes available. The list of possible COVID-19 symptoms has been updated to include congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. We previously reported on the agency’s expanded list of symptoms in…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC increases length of recommended isolation for COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance to increase the recommended isolation time for COVID-19 (coronavirus) illness in situations when sick individuals seem to have recovered but haven’t been tested to determine whether they’re still contagious. For individuals who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, home isolation is recommended…

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Apr 30 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: DOSH addresses returning after COVID-19 exposure

Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) issued an updated directive to its safety compliance officers, effective April 27, 2020, which incorporates guidance on when it’s okay to allow essential workers to return after a potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This directive supersedes the April 7 version on which we previously reported. A “potential…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: Seattle prohibits requiring doctors’ notes for PSST

Beginning April 8, 2020, employers in Seattle aren’t allowed to require documentation from a health care provider to verify an employee’s use of Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST), even if the employee is absent more than three days. You must identify another way for the employee to meet your verification requirements, such as by…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Employee BenefitsLeave Laws

WASHINGTON: ESD proposes new rules for PFML

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) is asking for feedback by May 6, 2020, on proposed rules affecting the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. These proposals have nothing to do with the current pandemic or federal emergency leave benefits and are mostly minor technical changes. However, they do include a long-awaited requirement…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Washington

WASHINGTON: Order extended to May 4; business list updated

Last night Governor Jay Inslee extended his Stay Home – Stay Healthy order through May 4, 2020. The order, which was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), was originally in effect through April 6, 2020. The order prevents individuals from leaving home unless they engage in essential activities or essential business services. Unless…

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Mar 27 2020
COVID-19Employee BenefitsWashington

WASHINGTON: Work search requirements waived for unemployment

Governor Inslee signed a proclamation that waives the work search requirements for receiving unemployment insurance. The governor previously waived the one-week waiting period, so the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) can provide immediate benefits to those who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus). “We need to do whatever we can to help those…

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Jan 28 2020
Leave LawsWashington

Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave poster and notice now available online

It’s a new year and Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (WPFML) benefits are in full effect. The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) closed out 2019 by publishing the new WPFML workplace poster required for all Washington employers. The poster must be displayed where you usually post other employment-related notices, such as in the breakroom…

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Oct 23 2019
Q&A

Q&A: Company using PEO is still liable for legal compliance

Question: We’re thinking about using a professional employer organization (PEO) to handle all of our payroll, hiring, and HR functions. Any legal concerns we should be aware of? Answer: Yes. Use of a PEO can save you time and allow you to stay focused on your business functions, but be sure you don’t lose sight…

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Oct 08 2019
Uncategorized

Q&A: Duty to keep health insurance during workers’ comp is limited

Question: We have an employee out on leave to recover from a workplace injury. Are we supposed to keep her on our health insurance plan? Answer: It depends on whether the employee’s leave is protected by federal or state leave laws in addition to workers’ compensation. State workers’ comp laws generally don’t require employers to…

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Sep 11 2019
Termination & ResignationWashington

Supervisor in Washington may be individually liable for termination

In Washington, an employee may bring a legal claim against an individual supervisor who participated in an employment termination decision, according to a federal district court. A former middle school principal brought a claim for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy against both the school district and the individual school superintendent who participated in…

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Jul 16 2019
Q&AWage and Hour

Q&A: Be careful how you round employee work hours

Question: We recently changed to a new timekeeping and payroll system, and the new system sometimes rounds down the amount of time an employee worked. Is that legal? Answer: Probably, but it depends on how much time is rounded down and the state in which the employee works. A recent opinion letter issued by the…

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