A Note from Small Biz Andrew…Your Friend at L&I
The season of sun is upon us and you know what that means...time to don some pool floaties (safety first, always!) and dive into the refreshing waters of another newsletter from your friendly small biz friend.
A great deal has occurred and changed since the last newsletter went out in April. Businesses are operating once again to varying degrees across the state, and with that comes the challenges of new requirements and responsibilities due to the pandemic.
Navigating this new world is often a job in itself...literally; so let us at L&I help you where we can.
It's crucial to remember that there are people on your side, here to assist, and ready to point you in the direction of resources aimed to do just that. With that in mind, this edition of the newsletter includes a compilation of links for reopening guidance, a Washington directory for locating necessary protective equipment, an expansion of training webinars, and assistance for paying your workers' comp premiums.
As always, you can count on Small Biz Andrew to pepper your newsletter with some groan-worthy dad jokes. While there's no making light of the times we're living through, I'm hoping some lighthearted fare can help you find your way to a smile or two.
Your friend at L&I,
Andrew Bryan
Labor & Industries' Asst. Small Business Liaison
COVID-19 Business Reopening Guidance
In the last newsletter, we compiled a list of websites that provided some useful resources and guidance for small business owners during the COVID-19 outbreak. This time, we're sharing the places we think will be most useful to you during the reopening process.
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #1
Have you heard about the new company that manufactures corduroy pillows?
They sure have been making a lot of headlines lately.
AWB Launches Website to Help Washington Get Back to Business
Rebound and Recovery site includes directory with ‘Made in Washington’ personal protective equipment, plus a toolkit to guide businesses as they reopen.
The Association of Washington Business recently unveiled a new website aimed at helping Washington businesses safely welcome back employees and customers.
The Rebound and Recovery website features an online portal to connect Washington businesses with ‘Made in Washington’ manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE), plus a toolkit for small businesses to help prepare their physical spaces for reopening and assist in communicating new health and safety protocols with employees and customers.
The site is free to use and available to all Washington businesses.
At launch, approximately 40 Washington manufacturers were listed in the database, making items such as face masks, face shields, gowns, and hand sanitizer. The numbers of manufacturers and types of products are expected to grow. Washington manufacturers wishing to be included in the database can submit information online.
In addition to the PPE Connect portal, the website includes a business toolkit geared toward small and medium-sized businesses. The toolkit contains downloadable, customizable templates that employers can use to create everything from a Safe Work Plan and store signage to social media content and physical distancing floor stickers.
Find more information on the Rebound and Recovery website.
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #2
I asked a doctor what her favorite part of her job was.
She told me that it's when she gets to strike patients on their knees to check their reflexes.
She really gets a kick out of it.
Having Trouble Paying Workers' Comp Premiums?
L&I's Employer Assistance Program (EAP) has been extended for the 2nd quarter.
L&I continues to work with financially distressed businesses impacted by the economy, natural disasters, or other serious problems to arrange a payment plan for workers' compensation premiums. Businesses that are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and have not paid their most recent quarterly premiums should contact L&I for help.
Who qualifies for the Employer Assistance Program?
Any business that has been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify. Businesses can request their payment be deferred for up to 90 days or ask for a 90-day payment plan. Either way, the delayed payments will be penalty- and interest-free.
How does the Employer Assistance Program work?
- L&I waives late penalties and interest if qualifying businesses file on time and pay their premiums within 90 days. Penalties and interest may be applied for longer payment periods.
- In some cases, the payment plan can be renegotiated if a business goes deeper into financial distress.
How do I take advantage of the Employer Assistance Program?
To take advantage of the program:
- File your quarterly report no later than July 31; pay what you can at the time you file.
- Contact Collections Education & Outreach by email at DialerCollections@Lni.wa.gov. Include your L&I account ID in your request.
If you need additional assistance, contact:
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Small Biz Andy's Business Jests #3
I'm thinking of getting into beekeeping, so I went to a shop and asked for 12 bees.
The shopkeeper slowly counted out 13 and handed them over one by one.
I told him he gave me one too many, but he insisted that the last one was a freebie.
Live "L&I Essentials for Business" Workshops Canceled for 2020, but Webinar Offerings Expand
COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of live workshops around the state, so we're adding more webinars to keep you informed.
As L&I office locations around the state remain closed or begin the process of reopening to the public, the decision was collectively made to cancel the remainder of live workshops scheduled for 2020. In response, the Small Business Liaison Office will add several more webinars to the calendar.
These webinars are dedicated to sharing 2020 L&I requirement updates, resources, and ways to protect your business and workforce, including COVID-19 guidance.
You will learn:
- The essentials about workers' compensation, quarterly reporting, what to do if your employee is injured, workplace safety and health requirements, wage and hour laws, and contractor registration rules.
- How to access a range of L&I resources designed to help your business save time and money.
- Various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy.
L&I Essentials for Business Webinars will be held on the following dates:
- July 23, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. (Thursday)
- August 18, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday) - SPANISH
- August 25, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (Tuesday)
- September 24, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (Thursday)
- October 8, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (Thursday) - SPANISH
- October 20, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday)
- November 19, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. (Thursday)
View the schedule to register.
And don't forget the Help for Small Business page, designed by the Small Business Liaisons to be a one-stop shop for your L&I needs.
For more information, contact the L&I Small Business Liaison Office at 1-800-987-0145 or SmallBusiness@lni.wa.gov.
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Small Biz Andy's Business Jests #4
Incorrectly is always spelled incorrectly.
Except when it's spelled incorrectly.
New Online Tools for Learning Washington's Updated Overtime Rules Now in Effect
Employers are reminded that updates to the exemptions to the State Minimum Wage Act are now in effect. The changes involve the exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees, as well as outside salespeople and computer professionals.
On Dec. 11, 2019, L&I announced updates to the job duties tests for each exemption category and the minimum salary an exempt employee must earn to qualify for exemption. The new rules took effect July 1.
Prior to the changes, L&I used two job duties tests to determine if an employee could be classified as exempt. L&I now has a single test for each exemption, using language more closely aligned with federal standards. The tests spell out what duties an employee must perform to be classified as exempt, regardless of the employee’s job title or job description.
In addition, an exempt employee generally must earn a salary that meets a minimum threshold. Under the new rules, the state’s salary threshold is now based on a multiplier of the state minimum wage. That threshold will increase incrementally until it reaches 2.5 times the state minimum wage in 2028.
For the remainder of 2020, exempt employees must continue to meet the federal salary threshold of $684 per week ($35,568 per year) because it is more favorable than the new state threshold. Employers will have to meet the state threshold beginning Jan. 1, 2021, when it exceeds the federal level.
Online course
L&I has developed an online course packed with information that explains the new rules. It also leads users through a series of questions and answers to help determine if a worker likely meets the requirements to be considered exempt.
The course is being provided as part of L&I’s outreach and education efforts and does not replace legal advice. The Revised Code of Washington and Washington Administrative Code are the official sources for information on the updates.
The course is available online.
Webinars taking place
The Employment Standards program’s outreach and education team continues to hold webinars on the new rules. Each webinar will begin with a 45-minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes for questions and answers.
You can register at L&I’s calendar of workshops, events and webinars. Look for “Overtime Exemptions Training Sessions (Webinar)” in the “Event Title” pull-down menu.
If your organization would like a webinar specifically for your group, please contact L&I’s outreach and education team at EAPrules@Lni.wa.gov.
Additional information
Learn more about the new overtime rules on L&I's website.
Find additional tools, including fact sheets, case studies and plain-talk explanations, and the salary threshold phase-in schedule.
If you have questions, you also can contact the Employment Standards program at EAPrules@Lni.wa.gov or 1-866-219-7321.
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Newsletter Network: Department of Ecology's "Shoptalk"
Need more newsletters in your life? Allow us to make an introduction.
Helpful business guidance and resources are widely available...if you know where to look. When we discover new places where you might want to direct your gaze, we like to share them, which is why we're introducing the Newsletter Network segment.
For this edition of Newsletter Network, we'd like to formally introduce you to Shoptalk.
Shoptalk is the Department of Ecology's dangerous waste and pollution prevention newsletter. The publication, available in print and digital versions, comes out three times a year with information on training, best practices, rulemaking, and reporting deadlines.
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A Message from the Civil Rights Program at L&I
If you believe that an L&I employee, medical (health care) provider, or other service provider paid by L&I treated you unfairly because of your national origin, race, color, language, religion, age, disability, gender, sex, or other protected class to which you belong; and/or
You requested — but did not receive — services in your preferred language from any L&I employee, medical health care provider, or other service provider paid by L&I;
You can file a complaint by completing and submitting a Civil Rights Complaint Form, which can be obtained by:
- Emailing us at CivilRights@Lni.wa.gov, or
- Calling us toll free at 1-855-682-0778.
Important:
You must file your complaint within 180 days from the date you believe you were denied services or discriminated against.
Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests Bonanza...Some Summer Advice
I don't know about you, but I love going outdoors. It's so much safer than going outwindows.
Be wary of trusting large trees. They're usually the shadiest ones around.
Same goes for trusting minnows. They're always a little fishy.
How much space should you give fungi to grow? As mushroom as possible.
Some fungus and algae took a lichen to each other. I've heard their marriage is on the rocks.
Be safe, business friends! And have a stupendous summer!
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