New laws protecting high-risk employees; [Ask a Lawyer] Vaccine policy webinar

New laws protecting employees during public health emergencies  

The 2021 Legislature enacted policy changes designed to increase protections for workers during public health emergencies. Employers must be mindful of these new changes related to high-risk employees and personal protective equipment (PPE) during a statewide public health emergency. Click here to learn more about these new employer requirements.

[Ask a Lawyer] Mandatory vaccine policies 

Join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25 for a discussion with employment law attorney Catharine Morisset of Fisher Phillips. Catharine will present a follow-up discussion on best practices for mandatory vaccine policies and mask rules. Join us when Catharine will guide us through legal developments and answer your questions about vaccine and mask policies for employees and guests. Register here.

Washingtonians required to mask up indoors starting Monday

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a statewide mandatory face covering order that takes effect Aug. 23. The mask mandate applies to everyone regardless of their vaccination status. We will continue to provide you with new guidance when it becomes available. Read more.

The service charge requirements operators need to know

Washington state’s rules regarding tips and service charges can be hard to navigate and federal rules add another layer of complexity to the requirements for employers. This new toolkit compiles important and up-to-date resources for operators with questions about service charges. Learn more.

PPP loan forgiveness portal is now open

Business owners with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less can now apply for loan forgiveness directly through the Small Business Administration (SBA) instead of their banks. The SBA says the application available through the portal should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Click here to learn more.

Per diem rates for 2022 announced

The General Services Administration (GSA) announced that travel per diem rates for the fiscal year 2022 will remain the same as 2021 for the continental United States and the District of Columbia. The rates take effect Oct. 1. Read more here. Find the GSA’s per diem tool here.

[CEO Podcast] The delta variant: What it means for hospitality

Washington Hospitality Association President & CEO Anthony Anton will discuss the delta variant and what it means for the hospitality industry at 10 a.m. Sept. 1. With new case numbers on the rise, the possibility of booster shots and a mask mandate in place as of Aug. 23, the delta variant is redefining what we think of as normal. Brought to you by ERNWest. Register here.

Free PPE for King County restaurant workers

King County is distributing free personal protective equipment, masks and sanitizing wipes to county restaurant workers. Restaurant representatives are invited to attend a drive-thru mask distribution pop-up event in Renton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24. Click here to read more.

Bellingham scheduling and hazard pay initiative

Initiative 4, entitled “Fair Treatment of Hourly-Wage Employees and Gig Workers,” has qualified for the Nov. 2 election. The initiative would require all Bellingham employers to implement several new scheduling practices, impose financial penalties for certain scheduling changes and provide hazard pay to all on-site workers when there is a declared state of emergency. Click here to read more.

Members saved an average 36% on annual business insurance premiums

Members using our business insurance program for the first time last month saw and average premium savings of 36%. The insurance market is incredibly hard right now and your association can bring down costs for you. The Washington Hospitality Association leverages the collective membership buying power to forge relationships with certain carriers and ensure you’re getting the best rate and coverage. Get a quote here.

Do you use the services of a broadliner?

If you are using the services of broadliners like Sysco, US Foods or Harbor Foodservice, you could get money back on purchases you’re already making. No change in purchasing habits required. Sign up here.

In case you missed it

• [Toolkit] Employers begin collecting Long Term Care funds Jan. 2022
• Current guidance and requirements 
• [Toolkit] Setting your company’s vaccination and mask policy

Industry roundup

• Seattle restaurants and bars work to navigate another mask mandate (KING-5)
• Why people are traveling despite the coronavirus surge – and what it means (The Washington Post)
• Seattle should require vaccine proof at restaurants and bars (Opinion: Crosscut)
• AHLA secures changes to hotel loan program, up to $2 million per property (Hotel News Resource)
• COVID-19 tax credit to expire early. Millions of dollars are at risk (Puget Sound Business Journal)
• Hotel executives weigh obstacles to recovery at Hotel Data Conference (CoStar)
• Masks required indoors again, as local hospitalizations and cases continue to climb (The Spokesman-Review)