Jun 17 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Industry-specific COVID-19 requirements lifted

As of June 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee has removed Washington’s industry-specific COVID-19 (coronavirus) requirements for certain industries, including manufacturing, construction, outdoor maintenance, and several recreation industries. Employers in these industries are now only required to follow the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) general COVID-19 workplace safety requirements. L&I’s general requirements were…

Read More…

Jun 17 2021

Featured Worker’s CompWage and Hour  

WASHINGTON: Vigilant comments on L&I hours worked changes

Vigilant recently submitted comments on behalf of our members in response to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) draft administrative policy addressing hours worked. This draft policy proposes changes to the existing policy ES.C.2, which was last revised on September 2, 2008. The revised policy attempts to clarify the…

Read More…

Jun 03 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: Worker housing rules updated for vaccinated occupants

On May 28, 2021, Washington's Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health updated the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry to lift certain restrictions for fully vaccinated workers. These revisions coincide with updated agriculture workplace requirements issued by Governor Jay Inslee, adding exceptions for fully vaccinated…

Read More…

May 24 2021

COVID-19Harassment & DiscriminationLeave LawsTermination & Resignation  

WASHINGTON: Governor grants worker protections related to COVID-19

On May 21, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-08 “Safe Workers,” which prohibits Washington employers from taking any adverse employment action as a result of a worker receiving a COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine or needing time off related to the worker’s own COVID-19 vaccination, exposure, or illness. Time off to take a family member…

Read More…

May 24 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: New mask options for fully vaccinated workers

On May 21, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced new workplace mask options in line with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s May 13, 2021, guidance, which said people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) generally don’t need to wear masks or physically…

Read More…

May 20 2021

Safety and HealthTermination & Resignation  

WASHINGTON: New bill amends WISHA’s anti-retaliation provision

On May 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESHB 1097, amending the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act’s (WISHA) anti-retaliation provision by explicitly prohibiting acts that would deter reasonable employees from exercising their rights under the Act and expanding the time for filing a workplace safety complaint with the Department of…

Read More…

May 19 2021

COVID-19DisabilityHarassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health  

ALERT: CDC’s relaxed mask guidance, understand how it applies in your state

Understand how CDC’s relaxed mask guidance applies in your state On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) generally don’t need to wear masks or physically distance with a few exceptions, setting off a flurry of compliance questions for employers. Depending…

Read More…

May 18 2021

Featured Worker’s CompWorkers’ Comp  

Lower your work comp premium - do two things first

Question: “What action can we take to lower our upfront workers' comp premium? Where do we even start?” Answer: From Vigilant's VP of Workers' Comp, Dan Beaty. I get asked this question daily. My reply? We're here to help, and here's a hint: high frequency/impact injuries, and a strategic use of kept-on-salary(KOS). To lower upfront cost of premium and…

Read More…

May 13 2021

COVID-19DisabilityHarassment & DiscriminationLeave LawsSafety and HealthWage and HourWorkers’ Comp  

WASHINGTON: New law creates more pandemic worker protections

Several important developments have recently occurred in Washington state. We're addressing the following topics in this post - find the full articles below.   New law creates more pandemic worker protections. On May 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESSB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), creating labor standards that automatically take…

Read More…

May 06 2021

Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: New law requires safety training for temps

Washington governor Jay Inslee has signed a new bill that requires staffing agencies and host employers in manufacturing and construction to coordinate their safety training for temporary workers. The new law, SHB 1206, takes effect July 25, 2021, and applies to temporary workers assigned to industries in sectors 31 through…

Read More…