THIS IS INNOVATE WASHINGTON: Tireless champions for entrepreneurs and companies with transcendent ideas

Described as “…a blend of industry professionals who’ve been there, done that, and want to do it again,” Innovate Washington is an organization of knowledgeable advocates that offer tools and services to help companies grow, then grow some more.

Innovate Washington is a “new, energetic, nimble, and cohesive approach to economic development,” offers Linda Hemingway, Director of Market Development and Communications. Formed from a merger of Sirti and the Washington Technology Center, the organization works to support entrepreneurial opportunity and a more vibrant business environment by fostering technology innovation.

Innovate Washington became official August 1, 2011, with 17 employees and 3 part-time executive entrepreneurs. Their mission is to make Washington the best place to develop, build, and deploy innovative products, services and solutions so that ideas developed in Washington lead to quality jobs in Washington.

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Spokane: 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane, WA, 99202. Seattle: Roosevelt Commons Building, 4311 Eleventh Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Tri-Cities: Tri-Cities research District, 350 Hills Street, Richland, WA 99354. Phone: 800.436.8504. On the web at www.innovatewashington.org.

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Recent Workers' Compensation Legislation changes long-standing practices
Recent legislation, effective July 15, has altered some of Washington's longstanding workers' compensation practices.  The most important of those changes include:

If you have any questions about the new laws or how they may impact your company, please contact the association's In-house Counsel or the Safety Services department.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but there are many lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk and even small changes can make a difference. To take a big step toward a healthier life, get your personal heart score and a custom plan from the American Heart Association.  They offer seven simple steps you need to start living your best life.

Need more help? Associated Employer’s Trust health plan sponsored by ODS Health provides coaches who use evidence-based practices to work with members who have specific medical needs. Your employees and their dependents receive one-on-one support from an ODS health coach for customized guidance and help with goal-setting in areas including Cardiac Care and Lifestyle Coaching. Wellness is a bottom-line defense for business. For more information, go to ODSWell@Work.

For more information about your health, tune in each day to the “Your HEALTH Counts Minute” brought to you by Associated Industries and ODS Health on one of these fine stations:

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I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore….

Ed Longmire was born and raised in a small town in Kansas, and when we say small, we mean small.  In fact, his senior class had only 54 students!  After receiving his Associate Degree from the Kansas College of Technology, Ed found his way to the big city of Spokane, where he has worked for Washington Water Power in the 90’s, as well as several years at GTE Wireless and then at Cingular Wireless. When Cingular and ATT merged, his position was eliminated and, in the summer of 2005, his job search subsequently brought him to Associated Industries.

Ed is a Claims Manager for the A.I. Retro Program. The Retro Program is designed to help employers receive refunds of part of their workers' compensation premiums. This involves working with both employers and the claims managers at Labor and Industries in Washington State to manage claims filed by injured workers.

Photography is Ed's main hobby, starting out with 35mm film in high school, but eventually transitioning to the digital world. He even has had the opportunity to put his camera skills to work photographing several A.I. Member companies now displayed on Associated Industries’ office walls. Come by and meet Ed today and see his talents on display!

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Recent health tracking poll finds negative public mood regarding health reform law

I think the following Poll – conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation – resulted in some interesting opinions on the healthcare reform. The October poll is the latest in a series designed and analyzed by the Foundation’s public opinion research team.

-- Ted Blotsky, Senior Vice President,
Employee Benefit Services

The October health tracking poll finds a more negative overall public mood about the health reform law, driven largely by changes in support for the law among Democrats.  The poll also asked the public’s impressions of the Massachusetts health reform law enacted under then- Gov. Mitt Romney, who is now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.   Findings from the poll include:

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Independent Contractor or Employee?

One of the most common areas of employer liability is the misclassification of employees as independent contractors. Where an individual is not truly an independent contractor, but is instead an employee, the employer will have liability for wages, taxes, and possibly benefits. Additionally, a broad array of employment and labor laws apply to the employment relationship.

Therefore, an employment relationship must be distinguished from a strictly contractual one. The courts and many agencies apply their own tests to distinguish an employee from a contractor.

In general, the determination is made based on whether the employer or the individual controls the manner, methods and means of the work. The more control an employer has over the work performed, the more likely the individual is an employee. The specific tests applied by various agencies and the courts are as follows.

1.  Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Tests:

Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Factsheet #13, Employment Relationship Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (July 2008). Factors not considered relevant for FLSA purposes: the place where work is performed; the absence of a formal employment agreement; licensing; time or mode of pay.

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