Idaho's renewed interest in changes to Washington's noncompete law

With the recent uncertainty resulting from the response to COVID-19, new legal ramifications arise with each decision employers make to keep their employees healthy and safe. One such ramification Idaho employers in the Lewiston, Moscow, and Coeur d'Alene areas may be experiencing is the effect of recent changes to Washington state law as it relates to Washington employees recently allowed to work remotely.

Changes you may need to know

Before the declarations of a state of emergency, Idaho employers may not have been concerned with Washington noncompete law for their employees commuting from Washington. But now, as employers consider allowing Washington employees to work remotely from home, it becomes very important to review recent amendments to Washington state's noncompete laws for Washington employees who sign noncompete agreements.

On May 8, 2019, the Washington Legislature enacted House Bill No. 1450, which sets forth new changes to its noncompetition laws. The changes took effect beginning January 1, 2020. A breakdown of the key changes that may apply to your Washington employees working from home includes the following: