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Jan 05 2026
Employee BenefitsLeave LawsWashington

In Washington Health benefits may need to start during paid leave

As of January 1, 2026, several important changes to Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WPFML) have taken effect (as we previously reported), including expanded health benefit coverage, which will affect employees whose leave crosses over from the end of 2025 into the beginning of 2026. Currently, health benefits continue if there’s at least one…

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Dec 20 2025
Leave LawsWashington

WPFML: New rules, model notices, and other changes

2026 is ringing in changes to the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave law (WPFML) with new rules published by the Employment Security Department (ESD) and new model notices for Washington employers to send out to employees. As we previously reported, WPFML was amended to expand job restoration rights and continued health insurance coverage for…

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Dec 19 2025
Leave LawsOregonWashington

Q&A: Does sick time cover flood evacuation in Washington & Oregon?

Question: The area where our business is located is under a level 3 (go now, shut the business) evacuation order from the county’s office of emergency management due to flooding. Can employees use their paid sick leave while we’re closed? Answer: If you’re located in Oregon or Washington, then yes, employees are allowed to use any available paid…

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Dec 08 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I transitions reimbursement applications to online submission

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is phasing out acceptance of Stay at Work and Preferred Worker wage and expense requests submitted by fax or mail for injured workers. Instead, these wage and expense applications should be submitted online through your “My L&I” account page. L&I has stated that…

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Dec 06 2025
Wage and Hour

Timing of paydays may bring an extra pay period in 2026 or 2027

If you pay your employees on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, the 2026 or 2027 calendars may include an “extra” payday. Many employers pay employees every week (usually 52 paydays per year), or every other week (usually 26 paydays per year). These regular paydays account for 364 days each year. But, since there are actually…

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Dec 02 2025
Drug and AlcoholHarassment & DiscriminationWage and Hour

Holiday parties: Follow these tips to minimize liability

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and a company holiday party is a great way to reward employees for their hard work. As we enter a festive season, here are some recommendations and tips to safely enjoy a celebration with coworkers and reduce liability for your organization. No harassment: Remind your workers that the anti-harassment…

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Nov 24 2025
Q&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Do we need to allow violations during a safety inspection

Question: We had a regulatory inspector come to our facility for a safety inspection. During the walkthrough, he reached into a piece of machinery to take a photo but didn’t follow our lockout/tagout procedures. I wanted to tell him not to access the equipment until he followed the proper steps, but I wasn’t sure if…

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Nov 07 2025
Immigration

DHS ends automatic extension of work authorization

Effective October 30, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an interim rule ending the policy of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs, also called Forms I-766) for 540 days for foreign workers who have timely filed EAD renewal applications. Before that date, federal regulations (found at 8 CFR 274a.13) allowed an employee working…

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Oct 17 2025
Wage and HourWashington

More Washington cities announce 2026 minimum wage increases

The cities of Everett, Renton, and SeaTac recently announced their new minimum wage rates that go into effect on January 1, 2026. Everett minimum wage: The City of Everett’s new minimum wage rates (excluding tips/service charges) are: Large employers (500+ employees, including franchises under common control): $20.77 per hour, up from last year’s $20.24 per…

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Oct 17 2025
Leave LawsWage and Hour

Q&A: Know how to properly calculate 12 workweeks of FMLA leave

Question: We generally give everyone 480 hours in their federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave bank. We have a production employee whose schedule requires them to work 86 hours every two weeks, including mandatory overtime. They have requested leave under the FMLA and believe they’re entitled to more than 480 hours of leave….

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Oct 13 2025
Wage and HourWashington

Washington minimum wage and exempt salary will rise in 2026

The state of Washington has announced increases to the minimum wage rate and to the salary thresholds for exempt white-collar employees, effective January 1, 2026. The cities of Bellingham, Burien, Seattle, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County have also announced their minimum wage increases for 2026. We’re still waiting for updates from the cities of Everett, SeaTac,…

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Oct 03 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationTermination & Resignation

Q&A: Watch out for age bias when conducting RIF

Question: Our company is experiencing a downturn. Our CEO recently met with department managers and directed them to identify positions that could be eliminated. One manager said that the oldest employee on his team should be let go because he can afford to “take the hit” and he’s “retiring soon anyway.” Can we take those…

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