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Dec 19 2025
Leave LawsOregonWashington

Q&A: Does sick time cover flood evacuation in Washington & Oregon?

Question: The area where our business is located is under a level 3 (go now, shut the business) evacuation order from the county’s office of emergency management due to flooding. Can employees use their paid sick leave while we’re closed? Answer: If you’re located in Oregon or Washington, then yes, employees are allowed to use any available paid…

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Dec 08 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I transitions reimbursement applications to online submission

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is phasing out acceptance of Stay at Work and Preferred Worker wage and expense requests submitted by fax or mail for injured workers. Instead, these wage and expense applications should be submitted online through your “My L&I” account page. L&I has stated that…

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Oct 17 2025
Wage and HourWashington

More Washington cities announce 2026 minimum wage increases

The cities of Everett, Renton, and SeaTac recently announced their new minimum wage rates that go into effect on January 1, 2026. Everett minimum wage: The City of Everett’s new minimum wage rates (excluding tips/service charges) are: Large employers (500+ employees, including franchises under common control): $20.77 per hour, up from last year’s $20.24 per…

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Oct 13 2025
Wage and HourWashington

Washington minimum wage and exempt salary will rise in 2026

The state of Washington has announced increases to the minimum wage rate and to the salary thresholds for exempt white-collar employees, effective January 1, 2026. The cities of Bellingham, Burien, Seattle, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County have also announced their minimum wage increases for 2026. We’re still waiting for updates from the cities of Everett, SeaTac,…

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Sep 19 2025
Wage and HourWashington

Any applicant in Washington can sue for noncompliant job posting

The Washington Supreme Court recently ruled that job applicants aren’t required to prove that they had a genuine interest in a job in order to collect damages for noncompliant job postings under Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (“EPOA”). Two applicants brought a class action lawsuit alleging that they applied for jobs at a retail…

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Jun 30 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationWage and HourWashington

Washington equal pay and opportunity regulations released

To help explain and clarify changes to the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) that take effect on July 1, 2025, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released new rules that take effect on the same day. The EPOA has undergone multiple revisions in recent years, including expanded worker protections (beyond…

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Jun 10 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Retro Group Assessments: Are You at Risk and How to Stay in the Refund Zone

Retro group assessments can turn expected refunds into unexpected costs. We’re breaking down why they happen, how to spot warning signs, and what you can do to stay in the refund zone. Why do Assessments Happen? Assessments don’t just happen out of the blue. They’re triggered when a Retro group’s claims and losses exceed what…

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Jun 09 2025
HiringWage and HourWashington

New Washington bill updates wage disclosure law for job postings

Governor Bob Ferguson has signed SSB 5408, updating the job posting provisions of the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, effective July 27, 2025. Employers may now include a fixed wage amount when offering only a fixed wage amount for a job opening or internal transfer. This amends the prior requirement to always post a wage…

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Jun 09 2025
Employee BenefitsLeave LawsWashington

Big changes to Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave law

On May 17, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed legislation making significant changes to the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program (WPFML) (ESSHB 1213). The amended law expands job protection to employees of smaller companies, creates a time limit on job protection rights, allows employers to count leave time under the federal Family and Medical…

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May 20 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationSafety and HealthWage and Hour

Washington Governor signs 2025 legislation

The 2025 legislative session ended on April 27, 2025, with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signing multiple employment-related bills into law. We separately reported on three of those bills in our last newsletter (expansion of the Fair Chance Act, paid leave for immigration proceedings, and prohibition of driver’s license requirements); today’s newsletter includes individual articles on…

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May 19 2025
Employee BenefitsLeave LawsTermination & Resignation

Washington state-level WARN Act adds major compliance hurdles

On May 13, 2025, Governor Ferguson signed ESSB 5525, creating significant obligations for Washington employers conducting specific mass layoffs and business closings. Since 1989, the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) has required employers with 100 or more full-time employees to provide advance notice when they’re conducting mass layoffs or plant closings,…

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May 19 2025
Q&AWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: Can compensable claims occur before or after work

Question: Our employee fell in the parking lot on their way to work, prior to clocking in for their shift. Would the injury be considered a compensable workers’ comp claim if the worker had not yet started their shift? Answer: Probably not, but small details could change the answer. To be a compensable workers’ comp claim, the…

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