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Apr 07 2022
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: New law makes changes to PFML

The Washington legislature passed a handful of changes to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which were signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on March 30, 2022 (SSSB 5649). These key changes are effective June 9, 2022: Family leave may now be used for bereavement for seven calendar days after the death…

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Mar 22 2022
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Keep good company for large retro refunds

Receiving consistently large Retro refunds requires being in good company. When evaluating your current Retro program or investigating in a Retro for the first time, a critical component to consider is the company you will keep. For any Retro program to deliver consistently strong premium refunds, it must surround you with other best-in-class employers. We…

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Mar 17 2022
HiringWage and HourWashington

President signs new arbitration law

On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (H.R. 4445) into law. Vigilant recently reported on the significant changes and impact of H.R. 4445 on mandatory arbitration agreements. Tips: We encourage you to ensure that your anti-harassment policies are up to date and to promptly…

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Mar 03 2022
COVID-19CaliforniaOregon

West coast states ending indoor mask requirements

California, Oregon, and Washington are ending indoor mask requirements this month for most situations. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that starting March 1, 2022, masks are no longer required for unvaccinated individuals in public indoor spaces and starting March 12, 2022, masks will no longer be required in schools. Oregon and Washington aren’t far behind….

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Feb 17 2022
Leave LawsWage and HourWashington

Q&A: Employee working from home in Seattle gets Seattle rights

Question: An employee working remotely from her home in Seattle is demanding a raise because the Seattle minimum wage increased this year. Our company doesn’t have any locations or other employees in the city, so Seattle’s laws don’t apply to us, right? Answer: If you have even one employee who works within the Seattle city…

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Feb 17 2022
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

Q&A: Be aware of employment protections for COVID-19 absences

Question: Early in the pandemic, we didn’t discipline for absences related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). With all that’s changed since then, can we return to our regular attendance policy? Answer: Not so fast. In any state, if an employee quarantines or isolates due to a workplace exposure, the employee may have protection under state workers’ compensation…

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Feb 17 2022
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington manufacturer fined $98K after lockout-tagout fatality

Recently the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced a fine of $98,000 against a manufacturer in Sumas, Washington, due to lockout-tagout violations that resulted in a worker’s death. The employee was inside a tank, cleaning it, when an agitator arm turned on. According to L&I, the company, IKO Pacific, had written procedures for…

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Feb 17 2022
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Indoor mask mandate to end March 21, 2022

Washington governor Jay Inslee held a press conference on 2/17/22 and announced that on March 21, 2022, the state will no longer require masks in public indoor spaces (including workplaces) and schools. The following proclamations from the governor have been updated: Proclamation 21-08.01 COVID-19 Safe Workers. Proclamation 20-25.18 COVID-19 Washington Ready. Proclamation 20-03.07 Face Coverings…

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Feb 03 2022
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated, 1/21/22

On January 21, 2022, Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH) made updates to the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. This is the fifth set of modifications since the rules were originally adopted in May 2020. Here are the changes: Cloth face coverings…

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Feb 03 2022
DisabilityWashington

WASHINGTON: Long-term care premium tax delayed to July 2023

On January 27, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Substitute House Bill 1732, delaying the implementation of Washington state’s long-term care premium tax from January 1, 2022, until July 1, 2023. As we previously reported, mounting opposition to the program caused Governor Inslee to announce a delay in late December 2021. However, in a subsequent press…

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Jan 06 2022
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor says long-term care deductions begin Jan. 1

On December 23, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee clarified that employer deductions from employees’ wages under Washington’s Long Term Care Act are required by law to begin January 1, 2022, except for workers who purchased their own insurance and successfully applied for an exemption. Just a few days earlier, he had announced that he was “pausing”…

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Jan 06 2022
Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: Collect higher PFML premiums in 2022

As of January 1, 2022, both the premiums and maximum weekly benefits have increased for Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. The premium rate has increased to 0.6% of each employee’s gross wages (not including tips), up to a maximum of $147,000 (which is the 2022 Social Security cap). The split between employers…

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