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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Nov 01 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ comp claim Valid? Mastering how to know.

              We often hear from members that one of the most frustrating aspects of Washington workers’ compensation is claim validation (i.e. verifying that the employee’s injury or illness occurred during the course of their employment). Oftentimes, it feels like an employer is on the hook for an employee’s injury,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Sep 20 2024
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington L&I issues new rules for voluntary use of PPE

                The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has adopted three new permanent rules allowing employees who aren’t required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to voluntarily use PPE to protect themselves from noise, dust, or possible infectious or contagious diseases. PPE includes items such as “face…

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Sep 20 2024
ArizonaCaliforniaOregon

H-2A worker protections back for some

            On September 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it was moving forward with its far-reaching H-2A worker protection rule (also known as the Farmworker Protection Rule) in every state where it isn’t blocked, including Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. As we previously reported, a federal court blocked…

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