HR Day on the Hill - Recap

February 2012

Yesterday, January 30^th, the SHRM Washington Council held its 12^th Annual HR Day on the Hill in Olympia with great success. There were approximately 120 attendees with WSHRMA represented by at least 10 members. The agenda was full and very informative. Topics included WA L&I Regulation and Policy update, HR Pending Legislative update, Labor and Employment Law update, NLRB update, Immigration update and EEOC developments. In addition 6 members of our group met with Senator Rolfes to discuss HB 2508 – Mandatory paid sick/safe days, SB 5789 – Workplace Bullying and SB 6228 – Employment Status Discrimination.

Below is a list of the pending legislation reviewed in the “Day on the Hill” meeting. Though not all will pass through from committee, it is important that everyone be aware of these and the impact on your organization:

SB 5789 - Addressing workplace bullying by making it an unfair practice to subject an employee to an abusive work environment.

HB 2508/SB 6229 – Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment.

SB 6228 (Litigation and Labor & Employment) – Making employment status discrimination an unfair labor practice.

HB 2137 - 2011-12 Addressing the transportation and storage of firearms and ammunition in privately owned motor vehicles. Concerns - Can employees bring their guns to work and leave them in their car?

HB 2412 - 2011-12 Increasing protections for employees under the Washington industrial safety and health act of 1973.

Minimum Wage Proposals:

HB 1258 2011-12 Allowing employers to pay a training wage for a specified period of time.

HB 2496 – 2011-12 Changes the inflationary measure used to calculate annual adjustments in the minimum wage from the CPI-W to all consumers index, the CPI-U

HB 2497 – 2011-2012 Allows for consideration of tips in determining the minimum wage rate of employees in workplaces like restaurants who receive tips.

HB 2498 – 2011-12 Would suspend the annual increase in minimum wage rates, capping the rate at the current year’s figure, during periods when the state’s unemployment rate is above 7.5 percent.

To check for the current status of any pending bill, go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/default.aspx

Remember you can contact your Senator or Representation at any time to present your perspective on pending bills and how they will impact your workplace. To find your Senator or Representative go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Attending the HR Day on the Hill is a very rewarding and educational experience. If you were not able to attend this year, perhaps you can schedule to go next year.