A Note from Small Biz Andrew
Winter greetings, business people of Earth!
Good news, everyone! We’ve already endured the darkest days of the season (and hopefully the coldest). True, there are still several wintry weeks to withstand, but when it feels like February is lasting forever, take comfort in knowing that time does in fact March on. Will it be warmer than it is now? Maybe not, but April May.
We're halfway through our shortest month of shadow-wary rodents, a bowl of super stature swimming in advertisements, Cupid's commercial endeavors, and some birthday parties for the only two presidents whose portraits can be found in my wallet. Our state legislature is still in session until April, though, so you can expect our Super Special Small Business Bill Summary in our upcoming spring edition.
In the meantime, here are some toasty topics to warm yourselves to in this edition of the Small Business Newsletter:
- Meet the greatest tool for finding your rates that's been here for you the whole time
- Get those job postings in compliance
- Help meet your Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requirements with a team of resources
- Let our online tool help you assess your COVID-19 hazards at work
- Take part in surveys, webinars, and more
Happy reading! And, since it's so close to Feb. 14, let me just say this: without your company, my job has no meaning. Because of you, I live in a forevergreen state of appreciation.
Your friendly friend at L&I,
Andrew Bryan
Asst. Small Business Liaison
Can't Find Your Workers' Comp Rates? Try Verify
L&I's public business database does way more than just verify a contractor's license.
You may have noticed a large blue button on the L&I homepage that says Verify a Contractor's or Tradesperson's License. This is a fantastic resource when hiring someone to perform work for you, but did you know you can verify all your own business information from here as well?
You can search for your business by name, workers' comp account, UBI, or license number (if applicable) and find all the following information for your business needs:
- Current workers' compensation rates
- Risk classes for your business
- Experience factor of your business, and past experience factors
- How to contact your account manager (insurance agent)
- Certificate of Coverage
- Business ownership and address we have on file
- Registrations, licenses, certifications and endorsements
- Public Works requirements
- Lawsuits, debts, violations, and inspections
You can even track contractors for changes to their status.
For more details, please visit our Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business page.
Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #1
I was once fired from a job at the calendar factory.
Just because I took a few days off in February thinking no one would notice.
Make Sure Your Job Postings are Meeting the New Requirements
Employers with 15 or more employees are now required to include specific information in their job postings. Employers doing business in Washington must include the position’s salary range or wage scale, a general description of benefits, and a general description of other compensation in qualified job postings that recruit Washington-based employees.
You can learn more about the requirements on the EPOA web page. L&I’s Employment Standards program also developed administrative policy ES.E.1 and a fact sheet to help employers better understand the requirements.
If you have any questions, you can also reach out to L&I’s Equal Pay specialists.
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Skip the Line and Schedule Online
You can make an in-person appointment at any of the 19 L&I offices across the state by using our new online scheduling tool (www.Lni.wa.gov/SkipTheLine; select Appointment location and then choose the Reason for visit to find available times).
- Walk-in service is available, but those without appointments may experience longer wait times.
- Need interpreter or translation help? We encourage you to schedule an appointment so we can provide those services even more effectively.
You can always save gas money and time by accessing our services by phone (weekdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and online (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #2
Fun February Fact: The first drum set was invented on the 1st of February, 1234 A.D.
Or as most drummers around the world like to put it...a one, two, one two three four!
Is Your Business in Compliance with Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) Requirements?
L&I has created several tools and resources to help employers assess their EPOA obligations.
All employers doing business in Washington are required to comply with the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, including private and public employers. Visit our EPOA Employer Resources page to learn about what's required and get your business into compliance with the law. You'll find:
To learn more, visit the EPOA Employer Resources page or call the Employment Standard Program at 360-902-6625.
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #3
Does anyone know any new Groundhog Day jokes?
I feel like I keep hearing the same ones over and over and over again.
Help L&I Better Communicate with Small Business Employers Like You
L&I is looking for employers to participate in a survey about an upcoming educational campaign. Your opinions matter!
Are you an employer with 10 to 500 employees? If so, we want to hear from you.
All survey respondents can choose to be entered into a sweepstake for a chance to win one of three $100 eVisa gift cards as a thank you for participation.
If you are interested in sharing your opinions, please complete the 10-minute online survey.
Thank you – we look forward to hearing your opinions.
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Do You Know How to Assess Your COVID-19 Hazards at Work?
Our online tool helps make assessments easy.
Assessing the COVID-19 hazards in your workplace is a minimum requirement that all businesses must meet.
Visit our How to Assess COVID-19 Hazards at Work tool to help make meeting those minimum requirements easier for your business.
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #4
Never trust a pastry chef on Valentine's Day.
They'll only dessert you when you need them most.
COVID-19 Requirements in Effect (Updated Dec. 1)
The public emergency proclamation has ended, but COVID-19 remains a workplace hazard. Know what's required.
All employers must continue to ensure a safe workplace by adhering to the following items.
Minimum Requirements for All Workplaces
- Assess COVID-19 hazards in the workplace.
- Ensure COVID-19 hazards are addressed by the company’s Accident Prevention Program, or equivalent safety program.
- Keep employees who have tested positive or are symptomatic for COVID-19 out of the workplace for at least five days or ensure effective controls are implemented.
- Healthcare workers and others providing care to or working near someone known or suspected to have COVID-19 should wear appropriate, fit-tested, and NIOSH-approved respirators.
- Provide hand washing facilities and supplies, and regularly clean and sanitize surfaces.
- Educate employees about COVID-19 prevention in the language they understand best.
- Notify employees of any COVID-19 exposures at work.
- Report COVID-19 outbreaks to L&I (if the employer has 50 or more employees).
- Not discriminate against high-risk employees for seeking accommodations for COVID-19.
- Allow employees to voluntarily wear masks (respirators, medical procedure masks, or cloth face coverings) and PPE as long as it doesn’t create a safety or security issue.
Situations Where Masks Are Still Required
- In hospitals, dentist offices, medical facilities, and other health care settings.
- In long-term care settings, including home care, home health and home hospice.
- In correctional and jail facilities, except for facilities in areas where the community level is low.
- When use is necessary due to a COVID-19 hazard assessment.
- When required by Department of Health (DOH) or the Local Health Jurisdiction
- When respirators are required for protection against COVID-19, so is a written respirator program (see sample templates).
For more details on further requirements and resources, please consult the L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 page.
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #5
As Presidents' Day approaches, I see lots of businesses advertising huge sales.
I won't be participating. I don't think I can afford a president, even if it's on sale.
1st Quarter Webinars for Small Businesses
L&I Essentials for Business webinars cover:
- 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 and services designed to help your business save time and money.
- Various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy.
Upcoming monthly L&I Essentials for Business Webinars will be held on the following dates:
Webinars are also available in Spanish:
Other L&I Webinars for Employers
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Small Biz Andrew's Business Jests #6
What are amphibians born on February 29th called?
Leap frogs.
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