Pacific Mountain Business Resources

The WorkSource Pacific Mountain Business Resources Newsletter is a routine email that consolidates and highlights opportunities to support businesses across the Pacific Mountain Region: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties. This email contains information on business resources, and best business practices around recruitment, retention, and training staff.

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Does your business have any vacant positions that you'd like to fill?

With the new year, there are many job seekers who are resetting their mindsets and searching for new career paths. Now is the time to showcase your hiring opportunity at one of the following high-visibility community events.

Only one day left for employers to sign up- see details at the link below and email brian.riley@esd.wa.gov to register.

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Submit application forms to Ann Giersdorf at amgiersdorf@doc1.wa.gov

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Do you find your customers or employees needing a few more skills necessary to succeed in today's tech-savvy society?

If so, you're not alone- many organizations are facing the same problem. But did you know that there is a Digital Literacy program that provides free technology classes in the Pacific Mountain region? You can now schedule free classes if your business is located in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, or Thurston County. There's also no need to worry about commuting or scheduling conflicts because their classes come to you.

The NorthStar Digital Literacy learning path covers technology essentials for computers, tablets, phone technology, and can expand to topics such as web security and online safety. They even offer Work Keys Curriculum in a self-paced learning environment.

Request a class today at (360) 357-3362 or e-mail mjudd@thurstonchamber.com to help your team thrive in the ever-changing digital world!

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With the many changes this year brings, our friends at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries have made it easy to identify exactly what you need to know. Here is a quick rundown of the top of the list.

1. Washington State Minimum Wage increases to $16.28 per hour.

• Seattle Minimum Wage: $17.25 to $19.97 per hour (slight variations for small business employers based on benefits)
• SeaTac Minimum Wage: $19.71 per hour (Hospitality and Transportation Industry)
• Tukwila Minimum Wage:
• Large employers: $20.29 per hour / Mid-Size employers $18.29 per hour

• All dairy and agricultural workers are eligible for overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

• Small and Large Employers: $67,724.80 per year ($1,302.40 per week)

• Can't restrict outside employment or self-employment unless paid $32.56 per hour.

5. Non-compete Agreement Thresholds. (minimum earnings to enforce non-compete agreements)

• Employee earnings: $120,559.99
• Independent contractor earnings: $301,399.98

Find more details or to discover what #6, Minimum Pay for Rideshare Drivers and #7 Paid Sick leave Requirements of Contruction Industry changes are about, see the link below.

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This effort is funded by the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council serving Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties. WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. WA Relay 711.