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Jun 30 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationWage and HourWashington

Washington equal pay and opportunity regulations released

To help explain and clarify changes to the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) that take effect on July 1, 2025, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released new rules that take effect on the same day. The EPOA has undergone multiple revisions in recent years, including expanded worker protections (beyond…

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Jun 30 2025
Safety and Health

Be prepared to address wildfire smoke exposure

With wildfire season upon us yet again, employers must take steps to protect workers from harmful smoke exposure. Under federal OSHA’s General Duty Clause, employers must provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Although there’s no federal rule…

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Jun 23 2025
HiringTermination & Resignation

New requirements in Washington for personnel files coming soon

On May 13th Governor Ferguson signed SHB 1308, which changes how and when employers must provide personnel files to employees, effective July 27, 2025. Below are the key provisions: Employees, former employees (those who separated within three years of the request date), and their designees can ask for personnel records. Personnel records (if created by…

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Jun 23 2025
Leave LawsTermination & Resignation

Q&A: Investigate attendance policy violation before disciplining

Question: One of our employees has been absent and late several times without following our call-in requirements. This makes it impossible to find coverage and her manager is understandably frustrated. Yesterday she didn’t show up or contact her manager at all. This morning, she told us she couldn’t call in because she had low blood sugar…

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Jun 10 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Retro Group Assessments: Are You at Risk and How to Stay in the Refund Zone

Retro group assessments can turn expected refunds into unexpected costs. We’re breaking down why they happen, how to spot warning signs, and what you can do to stay in the refund zone. Why do Assessments Happen? Assessments don’t just happen out of the blue. They’re triggered when a Retro group’s claims and losses exceed what…

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Jun 10 2025
Employee ClassificationsWage and Hour

DOL questions 2024 independent contractor vs. employee rule

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a field assistance bulletin instructing the Wage and Hour Division’s staff to stop applying a rule issued last year describing how to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The 2024 rule (which we reported…

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Jun 09 2025
HiringWage and HourWashington

New Washington bill updates wage disclosure law for job postings

Governor Bob Ferguson has signed SSB 5408, updating the job posting provisions of the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, effective July 27, 2025. Employers may now include a fixed wage amount when offering only a fixed wage amount for a job opening or internal transfer. This amends the prior requirement to always post a wage…

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Jun 09 2025
Employee BenefitsLeave LawsWashington

Big changes to Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave law

On May 17, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed legislation making significant changes to the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program (WPFML) (ESSHB 1213). The amended law expands job protection to employees of smaller companies, creates a time limit on job protection rights, allows employers to count leave time under the federal Family and Medical…

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Jun 09 2025
Harassment & Discrimination

Title VII analysis is the same for majority and minority groups

On June 6th a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled that members of a majority group who allege discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act don’t have to shoulder an extra burden of proof compared to members of a minority group. In this case, a heterosexual woman working at a juvenile correction agency in…

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May 28 2025
Affirmative ActionHarassment & Discrimination

EEOC tentatively opens EEO-1 Report portal for 2024 reports

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced tentative plans to begin accepting 2024 EEO-1 Reports from covered employers from May 20, 2025, through June 24, 2025. EEO-1 reporting requirements apply to private employers with at least 100 employees and have historically covered federal contractors with at least 50 employees and a federal contract worth…

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May 28 2025
Safety and Health

It’s getting hot outside; time to prevent heat illness

Warm weather brings welcome relief from long winter months, but it also brings dangers for employees working outside. As summer approaches, it’s time to review your safety plans for protecting workers from heat illness hazards and to ensure compliance with state regulations. Cal/OSHA and Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) requirements depend on outdoor…

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May 20 2025
Harassment & DiscriminationSafety and HealthWage and Hour

Washington Governor signs 2025 legislation

The 2025 legislative session ended on April 27, 2025, with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signing multiple employment-related bills into law. We separately reported on three of those bills in our last newsletter (expansion of the Fair Chance Act, paid leave for immigration proceedings, and prohibition of driver’s license requirements); today’s newsletter includes individual articles on…

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