Updated Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Regulations
The new regulations, which go into effect on December 1, 2016, are expected to significantly increase the number of employees eligible for overtime compensation.
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Seattle Minimum Wage and Employers Outside Seattle
The phase in of the city of Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance began on April 1, 2015. Be aware that the ordinance states that it applies both to employers who are located in Seattle and to employers who have employees who…
Read MoreFLSA Standards Clarified in Recent Supreme Court Case
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. v. Busk that employees at a Nevada warehouse do not need to be compensated for the time they spend going through security screenings at the ends of…
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Washington’s Supreme Court Makes It More Difficult to Dismiss Employee Discrimination Claims
Washington’s Supreme Court recently ruled that even if an employer had a legitimate reason for terminating an employee, the employee can still prevail in a discrimination lawsuit if discrimination played a substantial factor in motivating the employer. The court also…
Read MoreSeattle Minimum Wage Ordinance
The Seattle City Council unanimously voted to adopt a minimum wage for the City of Seattle, which will gradually increase to $15/hour and then automatically increase with inflation. All employers that have employees working within the city limits of Seattle…
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New Seattle City Ordinance Restricts Criminal Background Checks
If you have a business in Seattle, you might have to change how you do background checks. The Seattle City Council passed a new ordinance restricting criminal background checks on applicants for employment. Employers will no longer be able to…
Read MoreWashington State Prohibits Certain Access to Employee Social Media Accounts
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 Publishes Guidance for Owners, Partners, Shareholders, or Board Members Concerning Its Paid Sick Time and Safe Time Ordinance
The 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…
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Structuring an Employee Bonus Program
Employee 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 MoreProposed Changes to WA Independent Contractor Law
In 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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