New laws in Washington went into effect January 1 including:
Minimum wage: Washington’s minimum wage is now $15.76 per hour for employees 16 or older. That’s $1.25 more than last year, an 8.6% increase.
Pay range in job postings: As required in a 2022 law, employers with 15 or more workers must now include a salary range or pay scale in job postings, along with a description of benefits. The law also requires employees who are transferred or promoted to be provided with a new pay scale if the employee requests it.
To meet continued demand, the Employment Standards program has scheduled additional webinars to explain the new job posting requirements. With one webinar already set for 2 p.m. Feb. 9, the new sessions are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7. You can sign up for a webinar on the Workshops and Training Center web page. In the event title dropdown menu, look for “Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (Webinar)” to find these webinars. Sign up early. Sessions fill up fast. For more information, contact L&I’s Equal Pay agents or 360-902-6625.
Ag overtime: Farm operators will be required to pay overtime for workers after 48 hours under a 2021 law that is being phased in over three years. That drops to 40 hours in 2024.
Overtime exemption base salary increased: To be exempt from overtime, employees must earn at least the minimum salary. For employers with 50 or fewer employees, the 2023 salary threshold is 1.75 times the minimum wage, meaning $1,102 per week ($57,294 per year). For employers with 51 or more employees, the threshold is double the minimum wage, or $1,259 per week ($65,478 per year).
Contact Public Policy Director Jake Mayson to learn more about these and other new laws impacting the Spokane employer community.
