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Washington: Domestic Violence Leave Law Amended to Include Safety Accommodations

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All Employers with WA Employees

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June 7, 2018

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Washington’s existing Domestic Violence Leave law was recently amended to require employers to provide reasonable safety accommodations to employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Specifically, employers must consider an individual’s request for a reasonable safety accommodation, unless the accommodation causes an undue hardship on the business (defined as an action requiring significant difficulty or expense).  Employers may require the individual to furnish verification that the employee and their covered family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.  The amendments provide a non-comprehensive list of potential safety accommodations, including:

Washington: New “Ban-the-Box” Law Prevents Pre-Qualification Criminal Inquiries

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All Employers with WA Employees

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June 7, 2018

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Effective June 7, 2018, the Washington Fair Chance Act (the “Act”) imposes new “ban-the-box” requirements on employers.  Employers may not obtain information about an applicant’s criminal history before the employer has determined the applicant is otherwise qualified, among other new requirements.  Additionally, employers may not advertise job postings in a way that automatically excludes individuals with criminal history from applying.  However, employers may still solicit information about criminal history after making the determination that the individual is otherwise qualified for the position.

Washington: New Laws Prohibit Silencing of Sexual Harassment Claims

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All Employers with WA Employees

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June 7, 2018

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Washington joins New York as one of the first states to enact new laws addressing confidentiality of workplace harassment and discrimination claims.  A summary of these bills are included below.

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Washington: Ban-the-Box, Sexual Harassment, Equal Pay Law, and Discrimination Updates

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Employers with WA Employees

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June 6 and 7, 2018

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(888) 378-2456

The state of Washington recently passed several bills that affect employer practices.  HB 1298 created the Fair Chance Act prohibiting applicant criminal inquiries, SB 5996 prohibits employers from requiring employees to sign nondisclosure agreements regarding harassment or sexual assault, HB 1506 updates and expands the statewide Equal Pay Act, and HB 2661 prohibits discrimination of victims of domestic violence.

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Washington: Healthy Start Act Requires Accommodation for Pregnant Employees, With or Without Disability

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All Employers of 15+ WA Employees

EFFECTIVE

January 1, 2018

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(888) 378-2456

Washington State’s Healthy Starts Act (the “Act”) requires covered employers to provide pregnant employees with reasonable accommodations.  In contrast to federal and other state anti-discrimination laws, some accommodations must be provided regardless of disability or medical certification, and regardless of whether such accommodations may cause the employer undue hardship.

The Act applies to employers of 15 or more Washington employees.  Key provisions of the Act are summarized below.