Changes affecting Washington workers’ pay and improving workplace safety goes into effect tomorrow (Thur), Jan. 1.
Starting Jan. 1, prime contractors must obtain a permit and follow manufacturers’ instructions for the operation, assembly, disassembly, or reconfiguration of a tower crane. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries will consider a prime contractor’s history of safety and health violations as part of the application process for a permit.
Information about the new crane tower requirements is on the Labor and Industries website.
Meanwhile, certain types of employees are considered exempt from rules requiring they be paid overtime if they are paid on a salary basis, perform work consistent with Executive, Administrative or Professional duties, and are paid at, or above, a certain salary that Labor and Industries calculates.
For 2026, all employers must pay overtime-exempt workers at least 2.25 times the minimum wage. That means to be exempt an employee must be paid at least $1,541.70 a week or just over $80,000.
The rate for exempt computer professionals who are paid by the hour will be 3.5 times the minimum wage, or $59.96 an hour.
