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Dec 09 2024
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

Update your workplace posters

Now is a good time to review and update your employment posters. As a Vigilant member, you can download almost all of your required workplace posters online, for free, in the Government Posters section of our member website (located under Additional Resources). Or, if you prefer a cleaner look, you can order all-in-one laminated posters…

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Dec 09 2024
Drug and AlcoholHarassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health

Holiday parties: HR tips to minimize company liability

The holiday season has returned, and many companies are planning holiday parties for their employees. While a holiday party can be a great way to reward employees, here are some tips and recommendations to enjoy the celebrations while reducing the liability for your organization. Stay healthy: Tell employees to please stay home if they don’t…

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Dec 06 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Turning Rising Workers’ Comp Costs Into Big Savings

What if one of your company’s biggest challenges could become a triumph? That’s exactly what happened with a Washington engineering and fabrication company.  Facing escalating workers’ comp costs, they turned what seemed like an overwhelming problem into a meaningful success. Here’s how. The Problem: Escalating Costs   » In early 2019, the company’s EMF (Experience…

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Nov 26 2024
Affirmative Action

OFCCP releases its FY2025 scheduling list

On November 20, 2024, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) released its first Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL) of Fiscal Year 2025. The list displays the names and addresses of 2,000 federal contractor locations that the OFCCP intends to review for affirmative action compliance. According to the methodology the agency published explaining how…

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Nov 25 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I launches new light duty complaint resolution process

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently launched a new Light Duty Complaint Resolution Office, for the purpose of resolving disputes over transitional and permanent job assignments for both state fund and self-insured workers’ comp claims. This is an important (and potentially problematic) development for employers because injured workers and their attorneys now…

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Nov 25 2024
Labor Relations

NLRB issues two decisions limiting employer speech about unions

The National Labor Relations Board recently announced two decisions that break with longstanding precedent and greatly restrict an employer’s ability to communicate its opinion on unions to its employees. NLRB Tightens Rules on Employer Statements About Unionization  In one decision, the Board overruled 39 years of precedent that deemed employer statements about the impact of…

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Nov 25 2024
Wage and Hour

Court overturns DOL’s 2024 minimum salary for exempt employees

On November 15, 2024, a federal district court in Texas ruled that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) did not have the authority to issue a regulation earlier this year that significantly increased the minimum salary levels required for professional, administrative, and executive employees to be exempt from overtime (State of Texas v. DOL, ED…

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Nov 13 2024
Wage and HourWashington

Washington L&I policy addresses work hours for minors

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently released a new Administrative Policy (ES.C.4.1) that provides guidance on scheduling and hours of work requirements for minors working in both agricultural and non-agricultural industries. The policy outlines the requirements as specified in Washington statutes (RCW 49.12, RCW 49.30, and RCW 13.64.010) and regulations (WAC 296-125-027…

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Nov 13 2024
Wage and HourWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: No easy road to convert employee into independent contractor

Question: A long-term skilled employee is retiring but we anticipate still needing her expertise, so she has agreed to work for us on an as-needed hourly basis as an independent contractor. What should we be thinking about as she makes this transition to independent contractor status? Answer: Stop the presses, it’s going to be very…

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Nov 12 2024
Wage and Hour

Q&A: Travel time requiring overnight stay is compensable

Question: We require one of our hourly employees to occasionally travel to some of our other facilities for a couple of days at a time. The employee generally spends the morning driving from their home to the remote facility, spends the afternoon working, stays in a hotel overnight and then spends the following morning working…

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Nov 01 2024
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ comp claim Valid? Mastering how to know.

We often hear from members that one of the most frustrating aspects of Washington workers’ compensation is claim validation (i.e. verifying that the employee’s injury or illness occurred during the course of their employment). Oftentimes, it feels like an employer is on the hook for an employee’s injury, even if the injury happened off duty…

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Oct 22 2024
Wage and HourWashington

More Washington cities announce minimum wage rate increases

The cities of Renton, Seattle, SeaTac, and Tukwila recently announced their new minimum wage rates that go into effect on January 1, 2025. Unincorporated King County has not yet announced its new minimum wage rate, but we will keep members informed when the new rate is released. Renton minimum wage: The City of Renton’s new…

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If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

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