Gainey Law, PLLC Seattle Employment Law Attorney

Click here to find out  How to set up your business with the different programs now being offered through the Employment Securities Department of Washington State (ESD).

GO to CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PAGE FOR INFO  and better formatting. Or see text below. There were many questions about providing health benefits to employees during this time. For most employer-sponsored plans, employees can continue to stay on employer-sponsored health insurance while on an unemployment program. This would fall under “NON-FMLA leave of absence”. It is a provision that would allow accommodations in this regard. Employers can self-manage/determine how they implement, but it would allow employers to decide to maintain eligibility. There also needs to be at least one active employee in the business at all times (which can be the owner). Most employer-sponsored programs can continue to cover employees. Most employer plans (including Business Health Trust) have non-FMLA Leave of Absence. This means, that employees can still participate and that employers have discretion in this. Check with your broker or health plan if you have more questions. Note the provision below: ...

As the Covid-19 corona virus virus continues to effect the Seattle area, King County and our entire region in dramatic ways , my law firm is beginning to get the first calls from people who have been fired or otherwise separated from their jobs because of the virus. It is often unclear if you have any legal protections or remedies in these situations without discussing what happened in detail with an attorney. So, the information here is not provided as legal advice, if you wish to find out more about your potential legal claims go here to share what has happened to you. We will get back to you as soon as we can. In the meantime,   I've put together a list to help employees connect with resources they may need right away. If you live in Seattle or Washington, or work for a Washington Company, and you or a family member is sick requiring you to stay home to care for yourself or that family member you may qualify for paid sick leave. See: Full Pamphlet PFSL.   If y...