Jan 21 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated again

On January 8, 2021, Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) again extended and modified existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 safety compliance in Washington continues to be Proclamation 20-57.1, and the implementing requirements for worksites, which we reported…

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Jan 07 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Updates coming to temporary worker housing rules

The existing safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry issued by Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) will soon be updated following their expiration on January 8, 2021. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety compliance in Washington continues to…

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Dec 03 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health  

CDC modifies quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new shorter quarantine options for consideration by local public health authorities on December 2, 2020. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) but says local authorities may shorten that time depending on local conditions. The new…

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Nov 12 2020

Labor RelationsSafety and HealthWage and Hour  

WASHINGTON: Agriculture exemption from overtime takes a hit

The Washington Supreme Court recently ruled the state’s agricultural exemption from overtime doesn’t apply to dairy workers, in a case with widespread implications for all agricultural employers. Under Washington’s Minimum Wage Requirements and Labor Standards Act, employees must generally be paid overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, unless a…

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Nov 05 2020

COVID-19Hiring  

Q&A: Completing Form I-9 when different people inspect documents

Question: We hired an employee a few months ago who has been working remotely during the pandemic. Our HR manager remotely inspected the Form I-9 verification documents at the time of hire. The employee will now be reporting to a physical location and the onsite manager will be inspecting the…

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Sep 17 2020

COVID-19Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp  

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated

On September 10, 2020, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and the Department of Health (DOH) extended and modified existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 safety compliance in Washington continues to be Proclamation 20-57.1, and…

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Sep 03 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Interpretive guidance updated for ag COVID-19 safety

On August 28, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee released updated interpretative guidance accompanying the current COVID-19 safety requirements for agriculture on which we recently reported. Washington’s employers in the agriculture industry have endured a steady stream of additional requirements and changes around COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety. The good news is the new…

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Aug 20 2020

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Governor modifies COVID-19 ag safety, adds testing

On August 19, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered yet another proclamation (Proclamation 20-57.1, Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers), which imposes even more agricultural COVID-19 requirements for worksites, particularly around isolating and testing workers. Many items are the same as those previously required, but significant new mandates are noted…

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Aug 20 2020

COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour  

WASHINGTON: Governor grants leave for food production workers

On August 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 20-67, providing paid leave for food production worker absences related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This new proclamation took effect on August 18, 2020, and significantly impacts employers operating in the agriculture sector. The proclamation doesn’t protect workers covered by the Families First Coronavirus…

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Jun 18 2020

COVID-19  

IDAHO: State to entice workers with return-to-work cash bonuses

Idaho Governor Brad Little has announced a plan to pay between $750.00 and $1,500.00 to Idaho workers who return to work after receiving unemployment benefits. Some workers are making more money from enhanced unemployment benefits (which continue through July 31, 2020), than they did when they were working, so employers…

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