Employer Alert

Washington Employers should be mindful of the following laws that are going into effect.

June 12, 2008

Leave for Military Spouses:

This law applies to all employers, regardless of size and allows 15 days of leave to the spouse of individuals that are on leave from military deployment or before and up to military deployment. To qualify for this leave, an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week and provide the employer with notice of their intention to take leave within 5 days of receiving official notice that the employee’s spouse will be on leave or has been called to active duty. For more information on this law, click the following link to access the Department of Labor and Industries website: http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/files/FamilyLeave/2008-04-01LeaveForMilitarySpouses.pdf

July 1, 2008

Mandatory hands free cell phones:

All drivers in Washington will have to use a hands-free cell phone while driving. Practically, this is a good time for you to adopt a new cell phone policy that addresses text messaging and use of cell phones. For companies that provide cell phones to employees, consider purchasing hands-free devices for use with existing cell phones.

Employers should consider adopting handbook policies that address the issues raised by these laws.

Nothing in this Blog should be considered legal advice or to form an attorney client relationship. The observations made in this Blog are general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice that is tailored to your particular circumstance.