Non-compete clauses are becoming more commonplace at every level, but are they becoming more enforceable?
Employment
Washington Supreme Court Clarifies the Elements of Age Discrimination Suits in Washington
Recently, the Washington Supreme Court clarified that, under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), an employee may bring an age discrimination case to trial if he or she can state a prima facie case and show there are genuine issues of material fact about whether discrimination was a substantial factor motivating the employer’s adverse employment action.
Anti-Bullying Protections Creeping into Employment Law
On September 9, 2014, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a new requirement that employers with 50 or more employees provide two hours of supervisor training every two years which is to include a component on preventing “abusive conduct.”
New King County Lawsuit to Test Validity of Non Competes & Confidentiality Agreements
Non compete agreements (NCA), confidentiality agreements, and trade secrets practices are under attack in many states and Amazon’s recent lawsuit to enforce its NCA will tell us much about how the Washington courts will view the claims.
Supreme Court of the United States Recognizes Business Owners Have Religious Rights Too
The final Supreme Court opinion of the term held that forcing closely held, for-profit corporations to pay for contraception is a violation of their sincerely held religious beliefs and is illegal under federal law under Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius.
New Washington Law Extends Rights for Religious Practices
Governor Jay Inslee has signed in to law a bill that assures state employees (and public school students) two days off per calendar years for religious holiday. Our business clients, particularly those with heavy weekend and holiday need, may wish to anticipate similar requests being made to them as well for unpaid holidays as a “reasonable accommodation” for religious practices.
Seattle Minimum Wage Update
Lauren Parris Watts reviewed the implementation of the newly passed Seattle $15 Minimum Wage Ordinance at the latest Helsell Fetterman Employment Law Breakfast on June 3. We promised to keep out attendees informed about ongoing developments on this issue. The following is a quick rundown of the known challenges to the Ordinance.
Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) Extends Employer Liability for Religious Discrimination
The Washington State Supreme Court today announced its decision that Washington employers with 8 or more employees can be sued under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.060.120) for failing to offer reasonable accommodations to their employees religious beliefs, Kumar v. Gate Gourmet, Inc.
Volunteers for Profit?
U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed Chen v. Major League Baseball, a class action asserting wage rights for volunteers at the MLB All Star Fan Fest.
Supreme Court Reaffirms the Definition of Wages
The United States Supreme Court issued a decision today in US v. Quality Stores, confirming that severance payments made to involuntarily terminated employees are “wages” and subject to taxation under FICA.