Let’s start with travel time. As a general rule, any time spent traveling to a training site, beyond the time spent to travel to an employee’s regular work location, can be counted as paid time. In terms of paying for mileage, L&I is clear that meals, per diem fuel and lodging expenses are benefits given [...]
I-1433, passed in late 2017, not only increased the minimum wage, but also mandated paid employer sick leave as of January 1, 2018. What we know as of this writing are the basics - with L&I conducting the rule-making process to clarify further details throughout 2017: Paid sick leave shall accrue at a minimum rate [...]
Many cities, states and other jurisdictions in the United States have passed modest to significant increases in the minimum wage - in response to attention on this topic. Initiative 1433 which passed in Washington State in late 2017, mandated statewide, step wage increases over time - for all areas that did not have their own, [...]
The short answer is “no.” - You’re not under any legal requirement to establish or maintain an employee handbook. However, it’s in your best interests as an employer to clarify in writing the rules of the workplace and set expectations for everyone. It’s also serves as a minimum line of legal defense against workplace claims [...]
Yes. You are under no obligation to guarantee hours or a schedule to an employee. It will be important to clarify this type of “on-call” employment relationship in both your job posting and any job description - where neither the hours or schedules are guaranteed. The human side of the answer is to determine why [...]