Christine Hawkins on Employer Responsibilities

Significant Changes Are Coming to Washington's Paid Family Medical Leave Program in 2026

Employers should take note, amendments to Washington state's Paid Family and Medical Leave law (PFML) included in HB 1213 significantly broaden job restoration rights, attempt to address leave stacking issues, alter benefits...more

7/9/2025 / Employee Benefits , Employee Rights , Employer Responsibilities , Family Medical Leave , New Legislation , New Regulations , Paid Leave , State Labor Laws , Washington

Important Update—Should Employers Withhold WA Cares Fund Premiums Starting January 1?

This is an updated version of a previous blog we published on statements issued by Washington Governor Jay Inslee and the legislature regarding the WA Cares Fund. On December 17, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and the...more

12/31/2021 / Employer Responsibilities , Governor Inslee , Payroll Deductions , Premiums , State Labor Laws

UPDATE: Not Aware of the Washington State Long-Term Care Program? – Employers Take Notice and Act Quickly

Update April 16, 2021: Employees now have until November 1, 2021, to purchase long-term care insurance if they wish to opt out of the Washington State Long-Term Care Program. On April 14, 2021, the House passed an amendment...more

4/19/2021 / Employee Benefits , Employees , Employer Responsibilities , Long Term Care Insurance , Long-Term Care , Washington

DOL Issues Model COBRA Subsidy Notices and FAQs

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued model notices and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the COBRA subsidy (see COBRA Premium Subsidy guidance) made available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021...more

4/12/2021 / COBRA , Department of Labor (DOL) , Employee Benefits , Employer Group Health Plans , Employer Responsibilities , Subsidies

Update: WA Governor Extends Employment Protections to "High-Risk" Workers Indefinitely

Update: On July 29, 2020, Washington Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-46.2, which extends the protections for high-risk employees as originally set forth by Proclamation 20-46 "High-Risk Employees—Workers' Rights on...more

8/20/2020 / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Employer Responsibilities , Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) , Governor Inslee , High Risk Covid Employees , Paid Leave , Sick Leave , Workplace Safety

Update: WA Governor Extends Employment Protections to "High-Risk" Workers Through August 1, 2020

Update: On June 9, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-46.1, which continues the protections for high-risk employees as originally set forth by Proclamation 20-46 "High-Risk Employees – Workers' Rights on April 13,...more

6/30/2020 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Employer Responsibilities , Governor Inslee , High Risk Covid Employees , Re-Opening Guidelines , Workplace Safety

Governor Inslee Extends Employment Protections to "High-Risk" Individuals Through June 12, 2020

Governor Jay Inslee has ordered that all Washington employers immediately implement additional protections for “high-risk” workers through at least 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2020. On April 13, 2020, Governor Inslee issued...more

4/15/2020 / Coronavirus/COVID-19 , Employer Responsibilities , Governor Inslee , Infectious Diseases , Public Health , Workplace Safety

Christine Hawkins

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

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