By / Karen Forner, Founder and Partner
Employer Solutions Law
Laws and regulations in Washington State are becoming more and more burdensome for employers. Efforts by the employer community to speak up for employer interests are important to ensure a business climate where businesses can thrive, provide good jobs, and be successful.
With Washington’s current political leadership, business interests, and voices often are not fully considered or given the weight they deserve. Employers have the opportunity, at least with the Department of Labor and Industries, to have their voices heard at the administrative level. There are several committees and boards that employer representatives can attend or join. A few examples of those boards and committees are:
- Advisory Board of Plumbers
- Advisory Committee on Health Care Innovation and Evaluation
- Board of Boiler Rules
- Electrical Board
- Elevator Safety Advisory Committee
- Factory Assembled Structures Advisory Board
- Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee (IICAC)
- Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee (IIMAC)
- Insolvency Trust Board
- Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee (PWAC)
- Self-Insurance Curriculum Review Committee
- Washington Apprenticeship & Training Council (WSATC)
- WISHA Advisory Committee
- Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee
If more employers sent even just one representative to attend meetings on safety/WISHA issues or workers’ compensation issues, employer perspectives would get greater attention by Department of Labor and Industries leaders. Many policy issues are discussed and addressed in these meetings before rule making and new WACs or policies are drafted and proposed.
The Director of the Department of Labor and Industries Joel Sacks is a member of the Workers’ Compensating Advisory Committee. He and the head of the workers’ compensation section of the Department (Vickie Kennedy) attend the quarterly committee meetings. These meetings are a unique opportunity to have employer concerns heard and to get direct access to top decision makers.
The Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee (WCAC) members include representatives from business, organized labor, self-insured employers, and the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). The WCAC meets at least every quarter. Meeting topics include budget issues, policy changes, new programs, insurance rates and other issues pertaining to the workers’ compensation program. Meetings are typically held in L&I Tumwater headquarters, although occasionally meetings will be at the L&I Offices in Tukwila. The schedule for 2020 is March 31, 2020 – L&I Tumwater headquarters, June 24, 2020 (will be rescheduled), September 16, 2020 and December 16, 2020.
To work toward a more fair business climate employers can support and be actively involved in industry associations such as SMACNA, Associated General Contractors (AGC), Association of Washington Business (AWB), and other associations and industry groups who can advocate and lobby for employer interests.
With advocacy for a business climate that promotes success, employers in Washington can survive and thrive. Solid business practices, good risk management, workforce development and proactive strategies help employers become and remain profitable. ■
Karen Galipeau Forner is the founder of and partner at Employer Solutions Law (formerly K-Solutions Law) in Bellevue, Washington. Karen advises and represents employers statewide on Labor and Industries matters including workers' compensation, workplace safety (WISHA/DOSH/OSHA,) wage and hour, prevailing wage, etc. and employment law issues. She is a frequent presenter and trainer at continuing legal education seminars, local and national conferences, industry groups and to employers directly.
