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Category Archives: New Legislation
New Washington Law Restricts Non-Competition Agreements
In May 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed a new bill into law, restricting non-competition agreements in Washington. The law makes non-competition agreements for employees earning less than $100,000 per year unenforceable. For employees earning over $100,000 annually, it creates the presumption that such an agreement for a period longer than 18 months is unreasonable and unenforceable. The law also makes non-competition agreements for independent contractors earning less than $250,000 annually unenforceable. These salary thresholds will be adjusted annually due to … Continue reading
MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
Employers are often wondering whether they should consider mandatory arbitration agreements for their non-union employees. Such arbitration agreements provide many advantages to the employer-employee relationship. As the law continues to develop, employers are asking more and more whether arbitration agreements are right for their workplace. What is an arbitration? Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution where an employment dispute is privately resolved by a neutral third-party arbitrator, or panel of such arbitrators. Non-union arbitration typically occurs under the rules … Continue reading
2019 Employment Law Update – Seminar April 30, 2019
The April 10, 2019 registration deadline for Davis Grimm Payne & Marra’s 2019 Employment Law Update is less than 3 weeks away. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to learn and ask questions about recent changes to employment laws from Davis Grimm Payne & Marra attorneys: Selena Smith on “Anti-Harassment Training in the #MeToo Era” Josh Brittingham on the “Latest Changes to Paid Sick and Family Leave Laws” Brian Lundgren on “Staying Out of Court: Mandatory Arbitration Agreements” Cost for … Continue reading
Washington Paid Family Leave Is Coming in 2019: Employers Need to Start Preparing
Under Washington’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law, eligible employees will be entitled to paid leave up to 12 weeks for their own serious health condition (medical leave) or for family care (family leave), up to 16 weeks combined family and medical leave, and up to 2 additional weeks for certain pregnancy complications. Employers must begin remitting premiums and submitting quarterly reports for PFML starting on January 1, 2019. Starting January 1, 2020, employees may begin taking PFML … Continue reading
Final Administrative Rules for Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance and a Change Regarding “Normal Hourly Compensation”
This month, the Seattle Office of Labor Standards announced its final revisions to the administrative rules for Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (“PSST”) ordinance. The rules become effective July 1, 2018. Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance requires employers operating in Seattle to provide all employees with paid leave to care for themselves or a family member with a physical or mental health condition, medical appointment, or a critical safety issue, among other reasons. The final administrative rules … Continue reading
New Law Limits Discovery in Washington Law Against Discrimination Suits
On March 15, 2018, Washington governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 6027 into law. This law impacts discovery in cases brought under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (“WLAD”). The law becomes effective on June 7, 2018. This law states that a plaintiff who seeks non-economic damages (such as emotional distress) under WLAD does not thereby waive the privileged status of his or her medical records. A plaintiff will be deemed to have waived the privilege of his or her medical records … Continue reading