By and large, independent schools are not subject to Title IX and its guidance regarding sexual misconduct complaints. However, often our parents have Title IX-like expectations. Under the Obama administration, more aggressive enforcement was the norm and the parent expectation. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rescinded those guidelines in 2017. On Friday, November 16, 2018, the […]
Helsell
Proper Analysis of Wrongful Discharge Claims in Washington: Lessons from Martin v. Gonzaga
The Washington State Supreme Court recently clarified the law applicable to wrongful discharge claims in a case called Martin v. Gonzaga, — W.2d —, 425 P.2d 827 (2018). Washington employees are generally employed “at will” meaning, absent an agreement to the contrary, employees and employers can terminate employment at any time and for any reason […]
King County Superior Court Upholds Seattle Ordinance’s Cap on Move-in Fees and Security Deposits for Tenants
The King County Superior Court recently upheld a Seattle Ordinance that limits the amount tenants are required to pay for move-in fees and security deposits. Seattle Ordinance No. 125222 (the “Ordinance”), which was adopted by the Seattle City Council on December 12, 2016, limits the amount that landlords can charge tenants in up-front charges, including […]
New Labor Standards for Domestic Workers
On July 23, 2018, the Seattle City Council voted to approve the Domestic Workers Ordinance (the “Ordinance”), a new labor standards legislation for domestic workers. The Ordinance will guarantee Seattle’s minimum wages, rest breaks and other rights for domestic workers. It will restrict a hiring entity from keeping any domestic worker’s original documents or other […]
New Washington Law Limits Discovery of Health Care Information
Effective today, June 7, is a new law passed by the Washington Legislature that limits discovery of health care information in claims for non-economic damages brought under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), RCW 49.60. Under the new section, health care information will not be relevant to a claim unless the claimant puts their health […]
Immigration Audits on the Rise
As expected, the Trump Administration continues to increase the number of immigration audits to verity the employment eligibility of employees. The federal government’s “culture of compliance” focuses on employers, with the goal of discouraging unauthorized immigration by limiting employment access to undocumented workers. This May, the Associated Press (“AP”) published an article confirming this sharp […]
Court Rules Prior Salary Is Not a Defense Against Equal Pay
Following the untimely demise only weeks ago of the judge many considered the “liberal lion” of the court, on April 9, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit filed (what is likely) the last opinion authored by Judge Stephen Reinhardt. The matter of Rizo v. Yovino concerns Aileen Rizo, a female employee […]
What Happened to DACA?
As you may know, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has been subject to many judicial decisions since the Trump Administration’s September 5, 2017, announcement to gradually end the program on March 5, 2018. On January 9, 2018, Judge William H. Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California temporarily […]
Sexual Orientation Discrimination is a Form of Sex Discrimination
On February 26, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in a 10-3 decision concluded that the prohibition against sex discrimination established in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, includes sexual orientation. The case, Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., No. 15-3775, concerns a skydive instructor who alleged he was terminated after […]
NLRB Vacates Hy-Brand Decision; Browning-Ferris Joint Employer Test Back in Effect
A little over two months ago, we reported that the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) overruled the Browning-Ferris joint employer test in a case called Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors, Ltd. and Brandt Construction Co. Under Browning-Ferris, companies faced greater responsibility for the employment practices of their contractors and franchisees. In turn, Hy-Brand limited the circumstances in […]