On May 21, 2013, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law an act that generally prohibits an employer from requiring an employee or applicant to disclose information related to their social media account. If an employer violates the act, an employee…
Read MoreThe City of Seattle has published a new Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ) concerning its Paid Sick Time and Safe Time Ordinance (the Ordinance). The Ordinance requires employers to provide paid sick/safe time (PSST) to their employees who work within Seattle…
Read MoreA Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a corporation, trust, or association that combines the capital of investors to own and many times operate income-producing real estate (e.g., apartments). Generally, to be considered a REIT, the REIT must pay at least…
Read MoreMany leases contain provisions allowing for the tenant to renew the lease. The material terms during the optional renewal period must be specified sufficiently so as not to be considered vague. Thus, if a renewal option leaves all the terms…
Read MoreOn March 26, 2013, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a new Special Fraud Alert regarding physician-owned entities. Physician ownership or investment in entities that derive revenue from selling or arranging for the sale of medical devices, supplies or…
Read MoreEmployee bonus programs are a great way to incentivize work performance and improve job satisfaction. But employers planning to implement a bonus program should bear in mind the legal implications of doing so and seek advice from an experienced employment…
Read MoreLike most states, Washington has adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act or UEFJA. The UEFJA permits a person or entity to enforce a judgment against a person or property located in Washington based on a judgement issued in…
Read MoreAs 2013 begins, it is a good idea to be sure that your business practices are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. There is nothing like preventative care. Discovering noncompliance too late and dealing with the process of fixing…
Read MoreThe Mariners Finally Win One! This off-season the Seattle Mariners re-signed ace pitcher Felix Hernandez to a $175 million, 7-year contract. But keeping baseball’s best pitcher* in a Mariners uniform was only one of the team’s recent victories. The Mariners…
Read MoreIn my blog post dated January 24, 2013, "Contractors Vs. Employees: A Matter of Context", I pointed out there are different definitions of an independent contractor in multiple Washington statutes. A new bill has been submitted in the Washington State…
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