Washington Law Updates for July 2009
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Law Updates on July 22nd, 2009
Washington Paid Family Leave Law Delayed
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed a new law, SB 6158, that pushes back the effective date of Washington’s paid family leave law. The law was originally intended to go into effect on October 1, 2009 but will now go into effect on October 1, 2012. The delay in implementing [...]
Avoiding Mistakes in Performance Evaluations
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Human Resources on July 15th, 2009
The primary purpose of a performance evaluation is to provide an opportunity for open communication about performance expectations and feedback. Most employees want feedback to understand the expectations of their employer and to improve their own performance for personal satisfaction. They prefer feedback that is timely and given in a manner that is not threatening. [...]
Healthy Families Act of 2009 Re-Introduced
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Law Updates on July 2nd, 2009
On May 18, 2009, Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Healthy Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2460) in the House of Representatives. The bill is similar to a proposal she sponsored in March 2007 (H.R. 1542). The legislation faced stiff opposition from Republicans and stalled in the House and Senate. At the time, President [...]
What Does the Ricci Decision Mean for Employers?
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Law Updates, Race Discrimination on July 1st, 2009
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 29 in favor of the New Haven, Connecticut firefighters in Ricci v. DeStefano. White firefighters and one Hispanic firefighter had charged the city discriminated against them when it refused to promote them after they passed an examination that made them eligible for promotion. Few black firefighters passed that same examination [...]
How to Minimize the Risk of Workplace Retaliation Claims
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Retaliation on June 24th, 2009
Courts have held that in workplace retaliation claims, if an employer’s adverse action would deter a reasonable person from making a complaint or assisting in a complaint, then it constitutes illegal retaliation.
Difficulties arise when discipline is necessary because an employee is engaged in both misconduct and in protected activity. So when imposing discipline, an employer [...]
Washington Law Updates for May 2009
Posted by Cheryl Angeletti-Harris in Law Updates on June 17th, 2009
Below are employment related law updates in the State of Washington through May 2009.
Domestic Partnerships
Under legislation signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 18, 2009, state registered domestic partners are “family members” for purposes of employment. The bill passed the State House by a vote of 62-35 and the Senate by 30-8.
The new law essentially [...]
