Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in Washington and Oregon
Washington employers face a wave of new workplace legislation, some of which recently became effective and some that will begin in 2026 and beyond. These new or modified laws address a broad range of topics, many of which...more
Washington lawmakers were busy this year, and a wave of new laws will have a major impact on the workplace. Employers must be aware of significant workplace laws taking effect within the next year, including 11 new laws that...more
As temperatures rise and wildfire season intensifies across the Pacific Northwest, Washington State employers must remain alert – for the safety of their workforce and to follow state law. The Washington State Department of...more
Key Takeaways - - The Washington Supreme Court has relaxed the evidentiary burden for employees seeking to bypass the workers’ compensation tort immunity that typically protects Washington employers. - Employees may now...more
In May 2025, the Supreme Court of Washington overruled previous precedent regarding the deliberate intent to injure exception related to workers’ compensation immunity for employers, finding that an employee may sue its...more
The State of Washington is proposing a new workplace safety rule that allows employees to designate a non-employee third-party representative—including unrelated union activists—during workplace safety inspections conducted...more
As many Washington residents are aware, wildfires, and wildfire smoke, are becoming an increasingly regular occurrence. The increase in wildfires has often led to days—or even weeks—of smoky air throughout the state....more
Earlier this month, the State of Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a $150 million jury verdict against subcontractors involved in the disassembly of a tower crane that collapsed in 2019. The collapse, which was caught on...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Effective July 17, 2023, employers with outdoor workers in the state of Washington will be required to follow revised heat illness prevention rules. The revised rules modify Washington’s long-standing 2008...more
Washington Governor Jay Inslee will end the statewide COVID-19 emergency declaration on October 31, 2022, and rescind all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations. Despite the governor’s action, however, Washington’s Health...more
With summer underway, employers in the state of Washington are reminded to follow the state’s new emergency outdoor heat exposure rules, which went into effect on June 15, 2022. These rules apply through September 29, 2022,...more
In response to hotter summers and increased wildfires, both Oregon and Washington have recently passed legislation aimed at keeping workers safe in these conditions. Oregon’s OSHA adopted its rules in May of 2022 and...more
This guidebook is designed to serve as an interactive reference for individuals in Washington state looking for information and resources available to help with the financial impacts of COVID-19. It is not legal advice and...more
On May 21, 2021, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (“L&I”) published new guidance regarding fully vaccinated workers. The new guidance will help employers adjust masking policies to meet the new Centers for...more
Washington State has a new COVID-19 exposure-notification smartphone tool, WA Notify. Introduced on Nov. 30 by the Department of Health, University of Washington, and Brotman Baty Institute, WA Notify has since been...more
Smoke from Western wildfires caused Washington state to experience some of the worst air quality in the world this year, which increased health risks to outdoor workers. In response, the state’s Department of Labor &...more