Williams Kastner Announces Promotion of Max Glasson and Board Elections of Eliot Harris and Jeff Wells
Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2026, Max Glasson will be promoted from Of Counsel to Member and Eliot Harris and Jeff Wells will be elected to the firm’s Board of Directors. “These promotions reflect the hard work and contributions Max, Eliot, and Jeff bring every day. We’re looking forward to...
Upcoming Changes to Washington’s Fair Chance Act (RCW 49.94)
Amendments to Washington’s Fair Chance Act will become effective in 2026. The changes will further restrict an employer’s ability to seek or rely upon an employee or applicant’s criminal record. Key Takeaways for Employers – Five Major Updates: Employers may not obtain information about an applicant’s criminal record until the employer determines the applicant is...
Washington Expands Employee Rights to Personnel Files
Washington’s Industrial Welfare Act (“IWA”) (RCW 49.12) was recently amended to strengthen employee access to personnel files. Key Takeaways for Employers What changed: Four major updates: Personnel file defined – The law now specifies what a “personnel file” includes, clarifying employer recordkeeping obligations. 21-day response deadline – Employers must provide an employee (or their designee)...
Williams Kastner Announces 2023 New Members
January 01, 2023 ─ Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that three new Members will be admitted to the firm. Earning a place in Williams Kastner’s 2023 Member class are: Jeff M. Wells (Seattle), Frank S. Harrison (Seattle), and Brendan T. Vandor (Seattle). “We are excited and proud to...
WHEN IS COVID-19 A DISABILITY UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT?
On December 14, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID related guidance: “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” to address when COVID-19 may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The updated guidance makes clear that the ADA’s...
EEOC Update to COVID-19 Guidance: “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,”
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID related guidance: “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” to address whether incentivizing employees to vaccinate complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The following are key updates: Employers may require employees...
EEOC SAYS, “ANTIBODY TESTING NOT PERMITTED”
On June 17, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated the “Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Exams” portion of its COVID related guidance, What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws, to make clear that employers cannot require employees to undergo antibody testing before returning to the...
EEOC COMMISSION ISSUES UPDATE TO COVID-19 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE
On June 11, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its technical guidance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” The Guidance is designed help employers navigate the unique employment issues raised by COVID-19. Below is a summary of the updated guidance: No Required Accommodation...
New Proclamation from Washington Governor Establishes Employer Obligations to COVID-19 At-Risk Employees
On April 13, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-46 High Risk Employees- Workers’ Rights amending his previous February 29, 2020 Proclamation 20-05 which declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a public disaster. According to the new Proclamation, the threat of severe illness or death caused by COVID-19 to Washington State’s public and private sector workers who...
Labor & Employment COVID-19 Updates
The rapid spread of coronavirus has widely affected employers throughout the U.S. We are closely monitoring the developing situation and will offer regular updates on labor and Employment guidelines and mandates. Employers face a multitude of challenges as they navigate through the outbreak of COVID-19 and its effect on their workforce and business. Below we’ve...
WILLIAMS KASTNER ANNOUNCES 2020 NEW MEMBERS
January 6, 2020 ─ Williams Kastner is pleased to announce the new attorneys to be admitted to the firm’s membership, effective January 1, 2020. The newly elected members to Williams Kastner for 2020 are a Jeffery Wells, Ryan Vollans and Steven Cade. “We are pleased to be adding these talented individuals to the firm’s membership”...
Labor & Employment Alert – Title VII and Gender Identity Discrimination
Washington has always been on the cutting edge of employment law, expanding the boundaries of employee protections. For example, Washington has expressly prohibited gender identity discrimination for years. RCW 49.60, et. seq. The federal government has been slow to adopt the same protections. Now, at the end of the Obama presidency, it appears that federal employment law will begin...