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Showing posts for: Wage and Hour

Dec 20 2024
Q&ATermination & ResignationWage and Hour

Q&A: Know how to handle final paycheck for absent employee

Question: An employee stopped showing up for work, so we fired them for job abandonment. How do we get their final paycheck to them, and what are the time frames for doing so? Answer: The answer depends on state law, and even then it may not be clear-cut, which means you’ll need to weigh what’s…

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Dec 09 2024
Drug and AlcoholHarassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health

Holiday parties: HR tips to minimize company liability

The holiday season has returned, and many companies are planning holiday parties for their employees. While a holiday party can be a great way to reward employees, here are some tips and recommendations to enjoy the celebrations while reducing the liability for your organization. Stay healthy: Tell employees to please stay home if they don’t…

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Nov 25 2024
Wage and Hour

Court overturns DOL’s 2024 minimum salary for exempt employees

On November 15, 2024, a federal district court in Texas ruled that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) did not have the authority to issue a regulation earlier this year that significantly increased the minimum salary levels required for professional, administrative, and executive employees to be exempt from overtime (State of Texas v. DOL, ED…

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Nov 13 2024
Wage and HourWashington

Washington L&I policy addresses work hours for minors

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently released a new Administrative Policy (ES.C.4.1) that provides guidance on scheduling and hours of work requirements for minors working in both agricultural and non-agricultural industries. The policy outlines the requirements as specified in Washington statutes (RCW 49.12, RCW 49.30, and RCW 13.64.010) and regulations (WAC 296-125-027…

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Nov 13 2024
Wage and HourWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: No easy road to convert employee into independent contractor

Question: A long-term skilled employee is retiring but we anticipate still needing her expertise, so she has agreed to work for us on an as-needed hourly basis as an independent contractor. What should we be thinking about as she makes this transition to independent contractor status? Answer: Stop the presses, it’s going to be very…

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Nov 12 2024
Wage and Hour

Q&A: Travel time requiring overnight stay is compensable

Question: We require one of our hourly employees to occasionally travel to some of our other facilities for a couple of days at a time. The employee generally spends the morning driving from their home to the remote facility, spends the afternoon working, stays in a hotel overnight and then spends the following morning working…

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Oct 22 2024
Wage and HourWashington

More Washington cities announce minimum wage rate increases

The cities of Renton, Seattle, SeaTac, and Tukwila recently announced their new minimum wage rates that go into effect on January 1, 2025. Unincorporated King County has not yet announced its new minimum wage rate, but we will keep members informed when the new rate is released. Renton minimum wage: The City of Renton’s new…

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Oct 07 2024
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Noncompete salary thresholds rise for 2025

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced increases to the minimum salary thresholds for noncompete agreements, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. Washington law prohibits noncompete agreements with individuals who earn less than the applicable annual salary threshold. L&I publishes separate thresholds for employees and independent contractors which are both adjusted…

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Oct 07 2024
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Minimum wage and exempt salary increases in 2025

The state of Washington has announced increases to the minimum wage rate and the exempt salary thresholds for employees, effective January 1, 2025. These increases impact several state wage requirements that you’ll want to be aware of if you have employees in Washington. The cities of Bellingham and Burien have also announced their minimum wage increases for…

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Sep 16 2024
Safety and HealthWage and Hour

OSHA proposes heat illness regulation

On August 30, 2024, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed new regulations to protect workers from heat illness. Comments are due by December 30, 2024. OSHA is proposing the following: Covered workplaces: Both indoor and outdoor workplaces would be covered, unless there is no reasonable expectation of exposure at or above the…

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Sep 03 2024
Harassment & DiscriminationLabor RelationsWage and Hour

Q&A: Decide now on political speech standards at work

Question: We are in another heated election season and a few of our employees are known to share their political opinions at lunchtime. Not everybody likes it. Are we allowed to keep politics out of the workplace to avoid conflict and preserve what team spirit we have left? Answer: Yes. Private employers can prohibit political…

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Jul 12 2024
Leave LawsQ&AWage and Hour

Q&A: Don’t get fooled by public employee protections

Question: One of our employees sent me a copy of a state regulation they say entitles them to a leave of absence that is not provided for by our policies, or any law that I am aware of. It looks legit, though, and they are insistent. How did we miss this? Answer: You may not…

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