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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 why do they also need that information…

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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 find satisfaction in their Retro or…

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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 also…

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Nov 02 2023
Q&ASafety and HealthWage and Hour

WASHINGTON Q&A: Employers can still prohibit some moonlighting

Question: We know there have been many changes in Washington law lately about non-compete restrictions, but are we still allowed to prohibit current employees from moonlighting? Answer: Under certain conditions, yes. Washington law allows employers to restrict current employees from “moonlighting” (i.e., working other jobs at the same time) if the employee is making at…

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Nov 02 2023
Drug and AlcoholHiringQ&A

WASHINGTON Q&A: Conducting pre-employment cannabis tests

Question: We plan to continue pre-employment drug testing for marijuana after Washington’s new restrictions go into effect on January 1, 2024. We heard one of the exceptions that would allow us to continue pre-employment marijuana testing is if impairment in the position “presents a substantial risk of death.” What does that mean and how can…

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Nov 02 2023
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Noncompete salary threshold rises for 2024

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will soon announce the minimum salary thresholds for noncompete agreements that take effect on January 1, 2024. Washington law prohibits noncompete agreements with individuals who earn less than the applicable annual salary threshold. L&I publishes separate thresholds for employees and independent contractors which are both adjusted annually…

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Oct 19 2023
Wage and HourWashington

Washington minimum wage and exempt salary increase in 2024

The state of Washington has announced increases in the minimum wage rate and the exempt salary thresholds for employees, effective January 1, 2024. These increases impact several state wage requirements that you’ll want to be aware of if you have employees in Washington. The cities of Seattle, SeaTac, and Tukwila also have higher minimum wage…

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Oct 05 2023
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Claims ‘Monitoring’ vs. ‘Management’: Which is best for your company?

As an employer, navigating complex claims on your own can be exceedingly overwhelming and time-consuming, which is why the prospect of having a partner to “manage your claims” can come as quite a relief. However, it begs the question: what does “claims management” truly entail? And if your partner is more of the “claims monitoring”…

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Oct 05 2023
Wage and HourWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I’s Stay at Work program, are you using it?

Did you know the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will partially reimburse you for wages paid to an injured worker who has returned to a medically approved light/modified duty job? L&I’s Stay at Work program offers employers an incentive to get injured workers back to work before they’re fully released. Stay at Work…

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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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