Labor & Employment

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Seattle City Council Wants to Ban Employers' Access to Criminal Records

November 7, 2012 in Blog

Seattle is often the incubator for bad business policy. Last year the city became one of the few in the nation to mandate paid sick leave for all workers.  Now the City Council is considering an ordinance that would make Seattle one of the few to limit employers’ ability to access public records and conduct background checks on potential employees. 

State monopoly is still broken

October 22, 2012 in In the News
The Snohomish Times
Source: 
The Snohomish Times
Date: 
Friday, October 19, 2012

Workers' comp reforms help, but state monopoly remains unsound

October 12, 2012 in In the News
The News Tribune (Tacoma)
Source: 
The News Tribune (Tacoma)
Date: 
Friday, October 12, 2012

Surprise…government regulations influence hiring decisions

October 4, 2012 in Blog

Demonstrating that government rules and regulations play a significant role in small business owners’ staffing decisions, two reports show small businesses across the nation cut back on hiring this summer and have lowered their staffing plans for the future.

More Bad News for Small Businesses

September 28, 2012 in Blog

The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced today the state’s minimum wage will increase in 2013 from the current $9.04 to $9.19 per hour. 

Washington State already has the highest minimum wage in the nation.  The new increase ensures the state will hold on to that dubious honor. 

Washington Policy Center hosting regional business forums

September 25, 2012 in In the News
Bellingham Business Journal
Source: 
Bellingham Business Journal
Date: 
Saturday, September 22, 2012

Employers Should Have Choices for Workers' Compensation Insurance

On September 20, WPC small business director Erin Shannon appeared on TVW's show The Impact to discuss the state's monopoly Workers' Compensation system and why the market should be opened so employers have choices in where to purchase such insurance. Watch the interview below and read more about the issue in WPC's recent Workers' Comp. report.

L&I’s 10-Year Plan: A Double-Digit Tax Hike

September 21, 2012 in Blog

On the heels of L&I’s unexpected announcement that average workers’ compensation tax rates will not increase in 2013, department officials are trying to assure businesses they will not face a double-digit tax hike in the future by shifting an increase from an election year (now) to a non-election year in near the future.

But a double-digit increase is exactly what is in store for employers over the next decade.