Washington overtime rules change today
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 4 months AGO
TUMWATER — Changes to the state’s overtime rules go into effect today, July 1.
Under the State Minimum Wage Act, the rules establish the criteria for which workers are considered exempt from receiving overtime pay and other protections.
The changes were announced last December by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) after several public hearings and comments and input from over 2,400 people.
The update mostly concerns the “job duties test,” which helps determine which workers are considered executive, administrative and professional employees, as well as computer professionals and outside salespeople.
Workers who fall into these categories and earn more than the salary threshold can be considered exempt.
Starting July 1, the state will move from two job duties tests to a single test that is aligned more closely with federal standards. The test details what duties an employee must perform to be considered exempt, regardless of job title or description.
The state now bases the salary threshold on a multiplier of the state minimum wage. The threshold will increase incrementally until it reaches 2.5 times the minimum wage in 2028.
Employers will continue to follow the federal standard — salaried workers need to earn at least $684 per week to be exempt from overtime — for the rest of 2020 but will have to meet the state threshold beginning Jan. 1, 2021, when it exceeds the federal level.
More information can be found on L&I’s website, such as on the rulemaking page and Resource Center.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.