news & insights
May 11, 2018
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News
SF&S Supports Page Ahead’s Book Up Summer Program
Page Ahead is a statewide children’s literacy organization partnering with elementary schools to give at-risk children the chance to improve their reading skills. Continue Reading
April 13, 2018
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Insights
U.S. Supreme Court and Overtime Exemptions: The Landscape Changes Again, or Does It?
The cardinal rule of overtime is this: All employees are paid hourly, and are paid overtime rates for more than 40 hours of work in a week, unless an exemption applies. Most employers are familiar with the most common exemptions: administrative emplo... Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
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Insights
US Department of Labor Announces New Self-Audit Wage Program, and Amnesty of Sorts
In early March 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a voluntary “Payroll Audit Independent Determination” program, or “PAID.” Under this pilot program, if an employer engages in a self-audit of its payroll practic... Continue Reading
April 06, 2018
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Insights
Washington and Spokane Restrict Employers’ Use of Criminal Background Checks
In 2013, the City of Seattle passed an ordinance restricting employers’ use of criminal background checks in the hiring process. The City of Spokane and the State of Washington each recently enacted their own set of similar restrictions. This p... Continue Reading
April 05, 2018
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Insights
Washington’s New Pay Equity Law
The Washington State Legislature passed new pay-equity legislation in the 2018 session, updating the state’s Equal Pay Act. Although paying employees differently based on gender has long been prohibited under various aspects of state and federa... Continue Reading
April 04, 2018
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Insights
New Washington Laws on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, and Protection of Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking
The Washington State Legislature passed a series of laws in its 2018 session aimed at protecting and empowering victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. These laws impose new restrictions and obl... Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
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News
Land Use attorney Darby DuComb interviews with Crosscut and releases PSBJ editorial on the SODO parking battles ignited by SDOT and business growth
Due to increased growth, the outdated right-of-way management practices are creating logistical nightmares in SODO. The City of Seattle and businesses along Occidental and Utah Avenues are at odds over the rights to keep loading areas clear. Dar... Continue Reading
March 15, 2018
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Insights
SF&S Attorney and Legal Assistant Spearhead Successful Bar Association Dinner Meeting and Seminar
For the last five years, SFC senior counsel Robert Olson and legal assistant Laurel Barton have teamed up to plan and present an annual dinner meeting and mini-seminar for the members of the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Associ... Continue Reading