Recently, the California Supreme Court found that a plaintiff’s claim based on a single (disputed) racial epithet by a non-supervisory coworker was sufficient to form the basis of a hostile work environment claim—it was...more
As expected, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is swiftly implementing its new standards governing union elections and bargaining orders under the groundbreaking Cemex decision. We discussed Cemex and the new...more
WARNING TO ALL PRIVATE NONUNION EMPLOYERS In a crucial case for nonunion employers, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has upended the rules governing how a workplace becomes unionized. Now, employers can be obligated...more
In Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters, with an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recently clarified that a union’s conduct during a strike that intentionally (or at least unreasonably and foreseeably) causes financial or...more
Oregon Minimum Wage Increases Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently announced the precise annual increase to Oregon’s minimum wage rates, which will go into effect on July 1, 2023. Oregon’s minimum wage...more
Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled charges of national origin discrimination and retaliation against Total Employment and Management (TEAM)—a Washington employer who instituted a “No Spanish”...more
In Part 2 of our blog series highlighting some of the risks for employers when pay and time practices don’t comport with wage and hour laws, the case details and key takeaways below should provide West Coast employers...more
As it turns out, yes, people do care about time. Two recent court cases highlight some of the risks for employers when pay and timekeeping practices don’t comport with wage and hour laws. We’ll provide overviews of each case...more
In a recently published decision, the Washington Court of Appeals declared class action waivers in certain employment agreements unenforceable. In Oakley v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC, plaintiff Oakley brought claims under the...more
There are new regulations for businesses/hiring entities who engage with independent contractors (ICs) working in Seattle which go into effect September 1, 2022. The regulations require businesses to provide certain...more
On September 15, 2021, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued Memorandum GC 21-07 (“Full Remedies in Settlement Agreements”), which urges the Regions to seek remedies in the settlement of...more
As all Washington employers know, Washington employees who are nonexempt (e.g., not salaried) must be paid an hourly minimum wage. Additionally, Washington establishes minimum salaries for exempt (i.e., salaried) employees,...more
Many contracts these days, including employment contracts, have provisions requiring that disputes be arbitrated rather than filed in a court. Nevertheless, a party to such an agreement will often file a lawsuit in court, and...more
In the recently published Reeves v. Mason County, Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals expanded the availability of a standalone suit to recover attorney’s fees accrued when an employee successfully recovered lost...more