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Showing posts for: Washington

May 05 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationHiringWashington

New Washington law prohibits driver’s licenses requirements

Governor Ferguson has signed SSB 5501, a new law that prohibits employers from discrimination based on whether an applicant or employee has a driver’s license. Beginning on July 27, 2025, employers are prohibited from requiring a driver’s license as a condition of employment or including a statement in a job posting that an applicant must…

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May 05 2025
ImmigrationLeave LawsWashington

Washington paid leave now available for immigration proceedings

Governor Ferguson has signed SHB 1875, revising the Washington Paid Sick Leave law (WPSL) to allow employees to use paid sick leave for absences related to immigration proceedings. The revised law takes effect on July 27, 2025. The new law allows employees to use paid sick leave to prepare for or participate in any judicial…

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May 02 2025
Washington

Washington legislature significantly expands Fair Chance Act

Governor Ferguson has signed HB 1747, which amends Washington’s Fair Chance Act and further restricts employers’ use of criminal records in making employment decisions. As we reported in 2018, Washington’s “Fair Chance Act” prohibits most employers from asking about criminal history before deciding whether an applicant meets the basic criteria for the position. The new…

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Apr 21 2025
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington L&I makes wildfire smoke AQI levels official

As promised, Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) updated its rules for protecting employees from wildfire smoke, incorporating changes the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made to its color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) in May 2024. As we previously reported, when the EPA published its changes, DOSH immediately issued a directive authorizing employers…

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Mar 20 2025
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Vigilant Claims Review? How does it work?

Q&A: What is a Vigilant claims review anyway? Curious what a Vigilant claims review is all about and what it can reveal? Great! Are you a Washington manufacturing or agribusiness looking to better understand your workers’ comp performance and uncover opportunities for improvement? If so, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore the claims review…

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Feb 10 2025
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Low-wage workers could moonlight for competitor

The Washington Supreme Court recently ruled that employees’ duty of loyalty and any exceptions to worker mobility should be narrowly construed, so employers cannot restrict low wage workers from working a second job (even for a competitor) unless those restrictions are reasonable in light of the facts. As we previously reported, Washington employers’ ability to…

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Feb 04 2025
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Association and Retro Group Renewal

Confused by all the renewal notices at the start of the year? Many employers in Retro programs mistakenly believe that renewing their association membership locks them into their current Retro group. Let’s clear that up—and show you how this misunderstanding could cost you. Association Membership Renewals Explained Renewing your association membership keeps you connected to…

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Dec 09 2024
Harassment & DiscriminationHiringSafety and Health

Pre-existing conditions do not invalidate a claim

Building on our recent article about the basic elements of claim validation in the Washington workers’ compensation system, let’s explore a subject that can be particularly frustrating for employers: pre-existing conditions. Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions in Workers’ Comp Pre-existing conditions can complicate the assessment of workers’ comp claims by worsening the severity of an injury or…

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Dec 09 2024
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

Update your workplace posters

Now is a good time to review and update your employment posters. As a Vigilant member, you can download almost all of your required workplace posters online, for free, in the Government Posters section of our member website (located under Additional Resources). Or, if you prefer a cleaner look, you can order all-in-one laminated posters…

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Dec 06 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Turning Rising Workers’ Comp Costs Into Big Savings

What if one of your company’s biggest challenges could become a triumph? That’s exactly what happened with a Washington engineering and fabrication company.  Facing escalating workers’ comp costs, they turned what seemed like an overwhelming problem into a meaningful success. Here’s how. The Problem: Escalating Costs   » In early 2019, the company’s EMF (Experience…

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Nov 25 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I launches new light duty complaint resolution process

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently launched a new Light Duty Complaint Resolution Office, for the purpose of resolving disputes over transitional and permanent job assignments for both state fund and self-insured workers’ comp claims. This is an important (and potentially problematic) development for employers because injured workers and their attorneys now…

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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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Is My Company Eligible?

If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

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