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Showing posts for: Washington

Aug 06 2020
COVID-19Employee BenefitsSafety and Health

WASHINGTON: Governor updates protections for high-risk workers

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has further extended employment protections for medically vulnerable workers for as long as the current state of emergency lasts due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). In addition, the new proclamation (20-46.2) and accompanying guidance memo clarify who is protected and change the circumstances under which employers may request medical verification from these workers….

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Aug 06 2020
COVID-19WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

WASHINGTON: L&I extends workers’ comp premium relief

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is extending its deadline for cash-strapped employers to pay workers’ compensation premiums during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As we previously reported, L&I established an Employer Assistance Program (EAP) to assist financially distressed businesses with 90-day grace periods or payment plans for workers’ compensation premiums, free of penalties…

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Jul 23 2020
Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: L&I adopts new unified fall protection rules

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has issued new fall protection rules, which better align L&I’s rules with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and unify fall protection rules across all industries. Currently, Washington doesn’t have specific guidelines for the use of fall protection for general industry (which would typically apply…

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Jul 23 2020
COVID-19Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON Q&A: Process wage garnishments as usual

Question: I just read that Governor Inslee extended the moratorium on garnishments in Washington. I thought you said the moratorium ended on May 27, 2020, for wage withholding. Which is right? Answer: As we previously reported, the governor’s moratorium on garnishment of wages for consumer debt did indeed end on May 27, 2020. This means…

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Jul 09 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor expands face covering & reporting rules

Governor Jay Inslee recently issued two proclamations (20-25.5 and 20-25.6), extending Safe Start until August 6, 2020, expanding face covering requirements, and requiring Washington employers to report confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases. Although the public has been required to wear face coverings in almost all situations since June 26, the latest proclamation says that…

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Jul 01 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaIdaho

ALERT: Understand face covering requirements in your area

Understand face covering requirements in your area Vigilant members have been asking how recent face covering mandates to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) apply to their businesses, so below is a summary of the general requirements in our member states. California, Oregon, and Washington have statewide face covering mandates. Arizona and Idaho don’t have…

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Jun 18 2020
COVID-19DisabilityEmployee Benefits

WASHINGTON: Governor extends protections for high-risk workers

On June 9, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee extended the protections for employees who are at a higher risk to contract COVID-19 (coronavirus), specifically those aged 65 and over and those with certain chronic underlying health conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The original proclamation expired on June 12, 2020, but…

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Jun 16 2020
CaliforniaHarassment & DiscriminationIdaho

ALERT: Title VII protects sexual orientation and gender identity

In this 6-to-3 opinion written by Justice Gorsuch, the Court decided three different cases. All three employers admitted they had terminated employees solely because they were “homosexual or transgender.” In Bostock v. Clayton County, a county child welfare advocate was terminated for conduct “unbecoming” because he participated in a gay recreational softball league. In the case…

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Jun 04 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaIdaho

OSHA now enforcing COVID-19 recording on Form 300

Effective May 26, 2020, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring employers in covered industries to record work-related incidences of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). As an employer, you must record work-related illnesses on Form 300 unless you’re in an exempt industry or have 10 or…

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Jun 04 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaIdaho

CDC issues guidance on reopening office workspaces

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published detailed guidance for employers on reopening office buildings. The COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings webpage includes specific steps and tips for employers planning to reopen office buildings. The CDC guidance is organized into the following six categories: Create a COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace health…

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Jun 04 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 safety duties expanded for agriculture

On May 28, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered yet another proclamation (Proclamation 20-57, Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers), which imposes even more agricultural COVID-19 requirements for worksites, and then on June 2, 2020, issued interpretive guidance on those requirements. Many items are the same as those previously required, but significant new mandates are…

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Jun 04 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaIdaho

States are in various stages of reopening

Vigilant member states are reopening at different rates, some on a statewide basis and some on a county-by-county basis as efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) appear to be having an impact. Here’s a summary of the reopening status of each state: Arizona: Businesses are open, with restrictions, as of May 16, 2020,…

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