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Feb 09 2023
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Are we there yet? Accident prevention journey vs destination

“Accident prevention is a journey, not a destination”. This saying is often heard from Vigilant’s own Safety Manager, Manish Gooneratne. He’s full of profound truisms, and this one has always been memorable. It’s also relevant in light of the good news I received last week. You might recall that in last month’s post on workers’ comp…

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Feb 02 2023
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules evolve

On January 14, 2023, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency rules that had been in place for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry expired and were not renewed. While this means that the remaining emergency restrictions have been lifted, agricultural employers providing TWH must continue taking precautions to…

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Feb 02 2023
Employee ClassificationsOregonWage and Hour

Minimum salary for noncompete agreements rises in 2023

Employers in Oregon and Washington who use noncompetition agreements must review enforceability requirements and increased minimum salary thresholds annually in order to ensure that their contracts remain legally enforceable at the time of separation from employment. Oregon: For valid noncompete agreements signed on or after January 1, 2022, the minimum gross salary for separated workers…

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Jan 04 2023
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ Comp Best Practices: Don’t wait to begin!

After a recent visit to my doctor, I was told in no uncertain terms that I needed to change my eating habits or potentially face some serious health consequences. Wow. Ok. Did I know that my diet was off track? Yes (sigh). So, why did it take the specter of bad health and medication to…

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Dec 15 2022
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON Q&A: Consider requiring WPFML documentation

Question: We have an employee on medical leave who applied for WPFML benefits, but the notice we received from ESD only provides a broad date range for the approved leave with no other information. How are we supposed to keep track of this? Answer: Consider requiring the employee to provide you with documentation of their…

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Dec 15 2022
Employee BenefitsEmployee ClassificationsHiring

WASHINGTON: L&I policy addresses job posting requirements

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently released a new Administrative Policy (ES.E.1) that provides guidance on new job posting requirements. As we previously reported, employers with 15 or more employees must include specific information on wages and benefits in all job postings beginning January 1, 2023. The Administrative Policy provides informal guidance…

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Nov 17 2022
Leave LawsWage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: PFML rates to rise in 2023

As of January 1, 2023, the premiums will increase for Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. The premium rate will be 0.8 percent (up from 0.6 percent) of each employee’s gross wages (not including tips), up to a maximum of $160,200 (the 2023 Social Security cap). The split between employers and employees for…

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Nov 03 2022
Leave LawsOregonQ&A

Q&A: Assess how to report PFML wages for multistate employees

Question: Our company is located in Oregon, and we have an employee who works in person two days a week at our facility in Portland. The employee teleworks the rest of the week from their residence in Vancouver, Washington. Should we report their wages to the paid family and medical leave (PFML) program in Oregon…

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Nov 03 2022
COVID-19DisabilityLeave Laws

WASHINGTON: Public health emergency ends; some duties remain

Governor Jay Inslee ended the COVID-19 public health emergency for the state of Washington on October 31, 2022, but employers still have some obligations under state law. As we previously reported, the continuing requirements for COVID-19 (coronavirus) stem from Washington’s Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) and from an ongoing obligation to provide a workplace…

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Oct 06 2022
DisabilityWashington

WASHINGTON: New rules published on long-term care

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) published new rules last week for implementation of the WA Cares Fund, Washington’s new long-term care insurance program. Washington employers will remember that this fund was hastily “paused” by Governor Jay Inslee and the legislature in January, and then modified in the 2022 legislative session to delay the start…

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Oct 06 2022
Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Fall protection rules updated

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has issued revisions to its unified fall protection rules, which take effect on November 1, 2022. The unified rules, originally published in 2020 (and reported here), merged all industry fall protection standards and aligned them with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. However, OSHA remained concerned…

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Oct 06 2022
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Minimum wage and exempt salary increase in 2023

The state of Washington has announced increases, effective January 1, 2023, in the minimum wage rate ad exempt salary thresholds for employees. If you are an employer in Washington or have Washington employees, you’ll want to be aware of how this wage increases impact state wage requirements. Additionally, Seattle and SeaTac are receiving an increase…

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