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May 17 2024
Safety and Health

Be aware of rules for hiring teens this summer

If you’re offering summer jobs to teen workers, be sure you understand and comply with all state and federal employment regulations specific to the employment of minors. Generally speaking, teen worker regulations prohibit hazardous job duties, such as operating or cleaning heavy machinery, frequently driving on public roads, and working from heights. These regulations also…

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May 03 2024
Harassment & Discrimination

Job transfers may be discriminatory even without “significant harm”

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that employees who sue claiming their job transfer was discriminatory under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act only need to show they suffered “some harm” from the transfer, as opposed to “significant harm.” Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating against employees with respect to “compensation, terms, conditions, or…

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May 03 2024
DisabilityEmployee BenefitsLeave Laws

EEOC issues regs for Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued regulations and interpretive guidance to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which requires all employers with 15 or more employees to reasonably accommodate workers with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The regulations take effect on June 18, 2024 (89 Fed Reg…

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May 03 2024
Wage and Hour

DOL raises overtime-exempt minimum salary requirements

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published new regulations for the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that increase the minimum salaries required for white-collar workers who are exempt from overtime. The new regulations raise the exempt salary threshold as of July 1, 2024, and then again on January 1, 2025, as follows: Beginning July 1,…

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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 23 2024
Culture

Culture of Care Chronicles: Transform Your Business, Part 5

Sustaining a Culture of Care in the Messy Real World: Part 5, Conclusion Welcome to the grand finale of our journey through the transformational power of a Culture of Care. In this series, we’ve shared four pillars that inject vitality into this ethos, sparking meaningful conversations rather than offering step-by-step instructions. At Vigilant, our dedication…

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Apr 19 2024
Wage and Hour

WASHINGTON: Burien’s new minimum wage begins January 1, 2025

The Burien City Council recently passed an ordinance that establishes its own minimum wage. The rate applies to all nonexempt (overtime-eligible) employees physically working in Burien for employers with 21 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in King County. The required minimum wage depends on the size of the employer. Beginning January 1, 2025, the…

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Apr 19 2024
Labor RelationsWage and Hour

Supreme Court clarifies arbitration rules for transportation workers

The U.S. Supreme Court recently clarified that a worker’s job duties, not their employer’s business, determine whether they qualify as a transportation worker who is exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). The FAA exemption frees such workers from the general rule under federal law that workers can be compelled to sign agreements to resolve…

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Apr 18 2024
Culture

Culture of Care Chronicles: Transform Your Business, Part 4

Going Beyond the Ordinary: Part 4 In our journey of Cultivating a Culture of Care, today we delve into the realm of “Going Beyond the Ordinary.” Cultivating a Culture of Care is a powerful testament to our commitment at Vigilant to authentically serve others, knowing that our attitudes and behaviors are driving contributors to creating…

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Apr 08 2024
Culture

Culture of Care Chronicles: Transform Your Business, Part 3

Practicing Mindful Caring: Pillar 2 Welcome back to our ongoing exploration of the profound and transformational power of a Culture of Care. Today, we embark on the second pillar: Practicing Mindful Caring. As you recall, our commitment at Vigilant to cultivating a Culture of Care was a natural extension of our core value – “Others…

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Apr 05 2024
Safety and Health

OSHA expands employee representation rights during inspections

On April 1, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule that “clarifies” (in reality, expands) the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany a Compliance Safety and Health Officer during an inspection of their workplace. Federal law gives the employer and employees the right to authorize a representative…

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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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