Reed Longyear attorney Noah Williams presented on the panel for the Northwest Family Business Advisors regarding “The Slippery Slope of Bringing Business Back to Work.” Attorney Williams specifically addressed legal and compliance issues surrounding recently issued COVID-19 guidelines for employers. The virtual event was held on Wednesday November 17th, with the goal of helping family […]
Major Changes to Washington Non-Compete Law
For the first time, Washington state has passed a comprehensive law controlling Non-Compete Agreements in Washington State. The status quo of uncertain enforcement and difficult interpretation of “reasonable” agreements provisions are no more. In short, Non-Compete type Agreements for the majority of employees in WA will no longer be enforceable beginning January 1, 2020. Of […]
Paid Family Leave Act
Hopefully this new act and tax does not come as a surprise, as we’ve received many notices from Washington State explaining the new system. In short, WA has enacted a program that will provide Paid Leave to employees–under broad conditions similar to FMLA leave. Employers and Employees should be aware that the taxing portion of […]
Arbitration Clauses in Employment Contracts
A standard provision in employment contracts for some time has been an “Arbitration Clause.” This clause sweeps almost all employment disputes into private arbitration. New to Washington State from 2018 is RCW 49.44.085, which prohibits Arbitration Clauses in certain employment related claims (discrimination, harassment, etc.). Though this law will likely be tested against current Federal […]
Minimum Wage Increase for WA & Seattle
Employers and Employees alike should remember that the minimum wage has increased significantly in this new year to $12.00/HR state wide and $16.00/HR in Seattle. Please check the following link for further details: https://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Wages/Minimum/. If either the Employer or the Employee believes there is an error or underpayment, acting quickly to correct such errors are […]
What to Know When Hiring a Nanny
As childcare for newborns and young children becomes more expensive families may find they can hire a nanny (or nanny share) for a comparable cost as daycare. Parts of a nanny or nanny share are very convenient – location, child to caretaker ratio, no stressful waiting list etc. However, the paperwork involved in hiring a […]
Non-Compete Enforceability Being Questioned in WA State
A new year, and a new legislative season sees Non-Compete Agreement again addressed in the WA State Legislature. Two new bills were proposed and are working their way through the legislative process. It would be a game changer for Non-Compete Agreements in Washington State if either passed. HB 2406 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2016&bill=2406 HB 2931 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2016&bill=2931 Neither bill […]
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.
Back in 2008, Samantha Elauf, a young Muslim woman, applied for a sales floor position at clothing store Abercrombie & Fitch. As part of her religious practice, she wore her headscarf to the interview. Throughout the interview process she performed well and received high remarks. However, her headscarf violated the clothing retailer’s “preppy” Look Policy, […]
Seattle Minimum Wage: What are Local Businesses Doing?
On April 1st, the initial stages of Seattle’s $15 minimum wage ordinance took effect. Large businesses have the next three years to implement this increase while smaller businesses have five years. Seattle businesses are already starting to test out different models in order to accommodate the increases in labor costs. What follows is a summary […]
Young vs. United Parcel Service, Inc.
For those following employment discrimination news – no this is not about Ellen Pao – on March 25, 2015 SCOTUS decided Young vs. United Parcel Service (UPS). I would describe this result as “expected”, but the clarification from the Court makes an employment attorneys’ advice that much more precise; which is welcome. A little background: […]