Washington: L&I to raise Amazon workers’ comp rates
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries has raised workers’ compensation premium rates by 15 percent for Amazon fulfillment center employees, deeming the company’s centers more hazardous than other types of warehouses, effective January 1. Some grocery distributors and recycling facilities had argued that higher injury rates at Amazon’s 24 centers across the state were driving up premiums for the entire industry, which increased by 18 percent since last year. Kitsap Sun
Tennessee’s workers’ comp rates to decline again
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has announced workers’ compensation insurance premiums are likely to decline for most Tennessee businesses in 2021 for the eighth consecutive year. On November 14, TDCI’s commissioner approved a 9.2 percent overall loss cost decrease beginning March 1, 2021 on new and renewal policies. TDCI
NLRB accuses Google of illegally spying on and firing employee activists
The National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday filed a complaint accusing Google of violating several labor laws during a crackdown on employee activism last year, including that the company “virtually surveilled” and then interrogated employees engaging in activism, and later fired them. Two former Google employee fired by the company late last year for involvement in such activism are both named in the complaint. Business Insider
Employers could mandate a COVID-19 vaccine, but are unlikely to do so
U.S. agencies to date have not weighed in on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but Fed-OSHA in the past has said employers have the right to mandate vaccines. However, private U.S. companies are unlikely to do so because of the risks of legal and cultural backlash, according to some health law experts. KFGO