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 In this issue...
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COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Case Numbers as of 11:59 pm on October 4th
- Confirmed Cases: 1,820,468
- COVID-19 Deaths:14,284
For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more statistics, visit the Dept. of Health COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Expires Oct. 31st but the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) will Remain in Place
Governor Jay Inslee has announced plans to lift the COVID-19 state of emergency Oct. 31. Though the Washington state emergency orders are ending, coronavirus remains a workplace hazard and employers must take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
Safety & Accident Prevention Programs must include COVID Protocols
Every employer is required to create a written Accident Prevention Program (APP) to address the safety and health hazards found in their workplace. Businesses must now make sure that their safety plan (APP) includes COVID protocols.
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WA Health Benefit Exchange - WaHealthPlanFinder
2023 Open Enrollment Starts Nov 1st
Open enrollment (Nov. 1 – Jan. 15) is when Washingtonians can sign up for health and dental coverage on Washington Healthplanfinder for the following plan year.
You and your employees can shop, compare, and select a plan that fits your individual budget and health care needs.
In addition to federal tax credits, a new state subsidy, Cascade Care Savings, is available for 2023 and may further lower monthly premium costs. Customers must enroll in a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan and meet income requirements to qualify.
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Dept. of Labor & Industries
Proposed Increase in Workers' Comp Rates for 2023
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a 4.8% increase in the average price employers and workers pay for workers' compensation insurance next year. If adopted, the increase would mean employers and workers would jointly pay an additional $61 a year, on average, for each full-time employee within a business.
Minimum Wage for 2023 to be $15.74 per hour
The 8.66 percent rise is directly linked to the cost of common goods such as housing, food, and medical care as reflected in the Consumer Price Index.
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Employment Security Dept.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
Code Reporting Requirements
SOC is a federal coding system that helps government agencies and private businesses compare occupational data. All employers must report SOC codes when they submit their quarterly unemployment tax reports starting with their fourth quarter 2022 report.
Reporting SOC codes is now required, but don’t worry, ESD is here to help!
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Department of Commerce
Flex Fund Program Extended through March 2023
The Small Business Flex Fund launched last year as part of a pandemic recovery program. The Fund currently has nearly $45 million in available loans for eligible small businesses, and they have extended application deadlines through March 2023 so that more business owners can take advantage of this unique public-private partnership.
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Emergency Management Division
The Great WA Shake Out – Earthquake Drill & Tsunami Siren Test
We encourage people to drop, cover and hold on wherever they are – work, home, school, walking in park or at a shopping mall. Practicing builds muscle memory for when the real earthquake comes. If Oct. 20 does not work for you, you can take part at a time that is more convenient for you - it is most important that you just practice.
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Dept. of Enterprise Services
Increased Equity for Small, Diverse, Veteran-Owned Businesses
Using small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses by state government has been low for 20 years. Last fiscal year, state government spent $817 million on goods and services through DES-managed contracts. Less than 1% of that amount was with businesses that are owned by women, people in racial minorities and veterans. Only 6.8% of that amount was with small businesses. The data clearly shows that what we are doing right now does not work.
The success of small, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses makes Washington’s economy and our families more resilient, strengthens our communities and improves the quality of life for all Washingtonians.
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Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance
Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR)
Free Workshops
SBRR workshops are provided by members of the Washington state Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT).
The workshops provide helpful information around the regulatory relationship with the government and requirements that businesses can use to save unwarranted penalties, and teach best practices, bottom line cost-saving programs, business solutions, consulting services, and more.
Start Your Business in WA
Grow Your Business in WA
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