Blog

In mid-May 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer have to wear a face covering or physical distance in most settings. Following the CDC announcement, Washington and Oregon followed suit, updating state guidance and relaxing physical...

As businesses previously forced to close move toward reopening or bringing furloughed employees back to work, employers must heed a disturbing trend of increased employee lawsuits arising from doing business during a pandemic. Federal Court employee lawsuits rose more than 215% from March 2020 to May 2, 2020....

Over the past several days, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have announced a gradual lifting of ”stay home” orders and reopening of non-essential businesses. In order to ensure the safety of employees and compliance with new requirements, employers must be mindful of federal and state guidelines before and during the...

Governor Jay Inslee passed the nation’s first long-term care insurance (LTI) for Washington employees last spring. The LTI program mandates a payroll tax for Washington-based employees to pay for long-term care expenses. The statutory language provides that an employer “must collect” LTI premiums from employees...

Figuring out appropriate pay for employees can mean the difference between life and death for businesses. Whether it be for long-term or short-term planning, compensation data is invaluable in helping HR identify market-level pay rates, budget, and guide the recruitment and retention of top talent.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers face difficult decisions regarding business operations. Decreased product demand, staff shortages, and ever-changing regulations are just some of the challenges employers are facing. Do employers also need to be worried about a surprise state safety inspection?

In 1981 L&I started offering a voluntary Retrospective Rating program, also known as “retro.” Retro programs are safety incentive programs providing the opportunity for employers to earn refunds on L&I insurance premiums as a reward for creating safe work environments. Archbright began sponsoring its first retro...

In light of the current pandemic, the employer-employee relationship is more critical than ever. As companies transition to remote work at an unprecedented magnitude, this new arrangement can leave people at all levels of the organization confused, nervous, and frustrated. Without a strong employee relations plan or...

Employers are required to reasonably accommodate employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. The ADA prohibits discrimination by an employer against any “qualified individual with a known disability” regarding job applications, hiring, advancement, termination, compensation,...

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, employers must rethink their compensation practices and strategies, and remain flexible with their pay programs where possible. As companies evaluate their current financial situation and prepare for the months to come, compensation is a significant part of that assessment. Employers...