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News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

Showing posts for: Washington

Sep 03 2024
CaliforniaOregonSafety and Health

States updating wildfire smoke rules to match EPA’s new AQI levels

                Effective May 6, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adjusted the cutoff points in its color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI), which is used as a reference for wildfire smoke rules in California, Oregon, and Washington. The EPA’s updates to the AQI change what concentrations of PM2.5 (Particulate…

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Jul 31 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Why forecasting your L&I premium is a must

            Financial forecasting is crucial for any employer, especially when it comes to managing major expenses. Since workers’ comp costs are among the top expenses for manufacturers, it’s no doubt accurate L&I premium forecasts can provide significant benefits. What are these benefits and why do we strongly suggest that “let’s…

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Jun 07 2024
Safety and HealthVigilant NewsWashington

Vigilant issues historic Washington Retro distribution

A few weeks ago, Vigilant sent retro distribution checks to members that participate in our Washington Workers’ Compensation Retro program. We are delighted to share that this year’s retro distribution was the largest in the history of Vigilant’s program! Vigilant remains fiercely committed to stewarding a program that carefully balances refund maximization while also providing…

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May 23 2024
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

How many claims are too many for your claims manager? 📂📂📂

                    Managing claims effectively, whether internally or through a TPA, requires a manageable workload for claims managers. Is your claims manager dealing with too many cases? Understanding how overwhelming caseloads can affect claims handling is essential, impacting outcomes and costs. Let’s review some of the top…

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Apr 25 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Four workers’ comp red flags we’d never, ever ignore

We’re workers’ comp experts and here are four things we’d never, ever ignore if we were an employer in Washington. Brandon Dion, CFO at Vigilant  |  Dan Beaty, VP Workers’ Comp at Vigilant Rising EMF/premiums. This probably indicates a systemic problem that requires attention. It could be due to a variety of factors such as…

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Apr 05 2024
Labor RelationsLeave LawsWage and Hour

WASHINGTON: Governor signs 2024 bills

The Washington legislature’s regular session adjourned on March 7, 2024, and Governor Jay Inslee has signed several employment-related bills into law: SHB 1905 (pay equity): Expands Washington’s existing pay equity law beyond gender to also include membership in a long list of protected classes: age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin,…

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Mar 21 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Washington Governor signs two bills impacting workers’ comp

Governor Jay Inslee recently signed two bills impacting Washington workers’ compensation time-loss payments and stay-at-work reimbursements: HB 1927: Allows injured workers who are unable to work for 7 days or more (instead of the current standard of 14 days or more) to receive time loss payments for the first 3 days of work missed due…

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Mar 21 2024
HiringWashington

Washington Governor signs new law on noncompete agreements

On March 13, 2024, Governor Jay Inslee signed SSB 5935, a new law that modifies and expands the definition of noncompetition covenants (noncompete agreements). We intend to report on any other bills of interest to employers that are signed from the 2024 Washington legislative session in a future newsletter. Beginning June 6, 2024, the definition…

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Mar 18 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ Comp Costs: What you CAN control

As you know, L&I increased rates for Washington employers in January by 4.9% on average. If you’ve attended one of our recent webinars, you know rate changes fall into the category of things outside of your control when it comes to workers’ compensation costs. You might also recall the ridiculously busy but truthful graphic from…

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Mar 08 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Ask the Claims Manager: Supervisor’s Report of Accident, necessary?

              QUESTION: Our Vigilant Washington workers’ comp claims manager asked us to provide a Supervisor’s Report of Accident after one of our employees was injured at work. I know our claims manager received all the information about the injury from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), so…

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Feb 09 2024
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

How happy are you with your workers’ comp partner?

            How often do you find the terms “happy” and “workers’ compensation” in the same sentence? It’s a rare occurrence, given the challenges and complexities associated with workers’ comp in Washington. While many perceive it as a necessary burden, there are companies out there with a different perspective—those who genuinely…

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Jan 15 2024
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: L&I updates paid sick leave rules

  The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated the state’s paid sick leave rules, effective January 1, 2024. Most changes to the rules relate to a new Washington law requiring payout of accrued leave for short-term construction workers. However, some of the rules on usage, paid time off (PTO) programs, and frontloading were…

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