All eight regions in Washington State are now in Phase 2 under Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan for phased reopening of business. With COVID-19 infection numbers in decline across the state, businesses are champing at the bit for “Phase 3”. After all, the thinking goes, if the Governor is now […]
Helsell
“Multigenerational Household” for COVID-19 Vaccine Purposes
On January 6, 2021, the Washington State Department of Health released an estimated timeline for priority vaccination for COVID-19 and who qualifies. The release got buried in the rubble of a very busy news day, given what occurred in the “other Washington” on that date. But the observant eye saw something in the timeline that […]
New Plan for Washington Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Like the New Year, it’s out with the old plan and in with a new plan for Washington State businesses in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective January 11, 2021, Washington’s Safe Start plan for addressing business operations will be replaced by a new plan, which Governor Jay Inslee calls the “Healthy Washington – […]
In 2020, Businesses Paid More than $4 Million in Remedies for Seattle Labor Violations
According to data reports published by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards – which enforces the City’s labor standards for minimum wage, Paid Sick and Safe Time, Fair Chance Employment, and other related laws – businesses with employees in Seattle paid out more than $4 million in financial remedies as a result of Seattle Office of Labor […]
We’re in a Lockdown. It’s Fine; What’s the Risk with an Employee WFHawaii or Another State?
The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on society have accelerated the digital transformation of the modern workplace. With the increasing use of telecommuting technologies and more employers instituting permanent work from home policies, employees and employers are – or should be – asking the question: what are the potential legal issues an employer may face […]
National Interest Exception Guidance to Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052
On August 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued guidance on scenarios that may qualify for a “national interest exception” under Presidential Proclamation 10052 of June 22, 2020 (“Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak”) and Presidential Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020 […]
Second Presidential Proclamation Suspending Certain Visa Applicants
On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed a second proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market following the coronavirus outbreak. Effective immediately, the proclamation extends the suspension of entry for certain immigrants (Presidential Proclamation 10014) through December 31, 2020. The new restrictions imposed […]
Washington State Businesses Must Enforce Face Covering Requirement
To update my last update on cloth face coverings in Washington State, Governor Jay Inslee has announced that he will issue an order that requires businesses statewide to refuse service to customers who don’t wear face coverings. The requirement will take effect July 7, 2020. With an uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state, […]
The New Statewide Mask Requirement in Washington State – What is a Business to Do?
Beginning Friday, June 26, 2020, face coverings are required statewide in Washington State in indoor public settings and outdoor public locations where six feet of distancing cannot be maintained. The last section of this post addresses what this requirement means for your business. King County started it all in May 2020 when it issued […]
Be Prepared for Reopening Your Business with COVID-19 Policies in your Employment Handbook
Recent changes in law and best practice guidance from the CDC and local authorities require employers to adopt written COVID-19 related policies before returning employees back to the office. For a fixed fee, we are offering the following: COVID-19 Package: COVID-19 plans and policies including: a general checklist for employers an infected employee response plan a […]