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State and Local Government Washington State Labor Laws

Perkins Coie

2025 Washington Legislative Employment Law Update

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With the close of the 2025 Washington state legislative session, it is time to review the new employment laws and amendments that will affect businesses operating in Washington. Many of these changes take effect on July 27,...more

Perkins Coie

Washington Supreme Court Denies Appeal of Meal Period Penalty Case

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In October 2024 we wrote about the Washington State Court of Appeals’ opinion in Androckitis v. Virginia Mason Medical Center, which held that the remedy for meal period violations includes three components: (1) payment of...more

Perkins Coie

Washington Announces New Minimum Wages for 2025

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The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that Washington’s minimum wage, which is tied to inflation, will increase from $16.28 to $16.66 starting in 2025.  Many local jurisdictions have higher minimum...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

The WA Employee Free Choice Act – Washington’s Prohibition on Mandatory Employer Meetings about Religious, Political, and Union...

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Washington is one of eight states with a law prohibiting employers from holding mandatory meetings addressing their position on religion, politics, and union organizing.  ...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Washington’s Amended Non-Compete Law Creates New Considerations for Employers

Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently signed Senate Bill 5935 into law, amending and expanding Washington’s statute restricting the enforceability of noncompetition covenants (Revised Code of Washington 49.2). The amended...more

Perkins Coie

Washington State Tightens Noncompete Restrictions

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Washington state businesses that have noncompetition agreements with employees or independent contractors will be subject to new requirements under the latest amendment to the state’s noncompetition law beginning June 6,...more

Perkins Coie

Washington Expands Equal Pay Law To Cover All Protected Classes

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Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1905 on March 28, 2024, broadening the scope of Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA)....more

Buchalter

Rounding Time Is No Longer a Safe Bet in Oregon and Washington

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The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) mandates that employers compensate employees for each hour worked. Nonetheless, the Department of Labor guidance permits rounding of employee time punches so long as, among other things,...more

Buchalter

New Year, New Employment Laws in the Pacific Northwest

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It is a new year, which means new employment laws for employers in the Pacific Northwest. The following is a brief overview of significant new laws and changes for Washington and Oregon employers (all effective January 1,...more

Perkins Coie

New Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Laws in Washington State Effective January 1

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Multiple new laws will take effect in Washington state beginning January 2024, bringing changes to the state’s minimum wage laws and adding requirements under the state’s Paid Sick Leave Law. ...more

Perkins Coie

New Washington Law Protects Job Applicants’ Off-Duty Marijuana Use

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Beginning in 2024, both Washington and California will prohibit employers from basing hiring decisions on an applicant’s legal marijuana use. What Is Prohibited? Effective January 1, 2024, employers are prohibited...more

Perkins Coie

New Minimum Wage Laws in Washington State Effective January 1

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Multiple new laws took effect in Washington at the beginning of the year, including several that increased the minimum wage in various locations across the state. ...more

McDermott Will & Schulte

Washington State’s Pay Transparency Law Takes Effect January 1, 2023

Effective January 1, 2023, Washington employers must comply with SB 5761, commonly known as Washington’s Pay Transparency Law, signed by Governor Jay Inslee on March 30, 2022. SB 5761 amends Washington’s Equal Pay and...more

Perkins Coie

New Law Restricts Washington Employers From Using Nondisclosure and Nondisparagement Agreements

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Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the Silenced No More Act (Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1795) on March 24, 2022, making Washington the second state in the nation after California to prohibit employers from...more

Perkins Coie

Washington Employers Soon Must Include Pay Ranges and Benefits Information in Job Postings

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Washington Governor Jay Inslee, on March 30, 2022, signed into law amendments to the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunity Act (EPOA Amendments), which soon will require most Washington employers to include pay ranges and...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

New Washington State Lien Law Increases Pressure On Employers To Pay Wage Claims: What’s Next?

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When the DOL audits an employer and finds wages due, the employer, albeit unhappily, then pays the wages and (hopefully) changes its errant ways. There are times when the employer cannot or will not pay and then the agency or...more

Perkins Coie

No More Free Flights: Employee Travel Time Is Now Compensable Under Washington Law

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In Port of Tacoma v. Sacks, the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington recently held that all out-of-town employee travel time is compensable under state law. The decision confirms the Washington State Department of...more

Perkins Coie

ESD Audits: What They Are, How to Prepare, and Best Practices for Employers

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Overview of ESD Audits - The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) audits records of employers located in Washington to confirm that wages and hours are accurately reported and to ensure compliance with the...more

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