There are a host of new Washington laws coming into effect at the start of 2026 aimed at strengthening employee rights and increasing business regulation, making these a must-know for workers and business owners alike.
Worker Protections
Workers received many updates to their protections in this slew of legislation. Workers will now receive employment protection after 180 days on the job, allowing employees to receive benefits in half the time it currently takes (12 months & 1250 hours). The employee size threshold for employee protection also decreases from 50 to 25, later to be reduced to 15 workers in 2027, and 8 in 2028. Additionally, Victims of hate crimes will now qualify for domestic violence leave.
Business Regulations
Employers with isolated workers must now provide them with a panic button, training, and recordkeeping. The definition of an “isolated” employee is expanded to janitors, security guards, hotel or motel housekeepers, and room service attendants who spend the majority of their time alone. Employers who break these rules will be fined $1,000 for the first willful violation and $10,000 for each subsequent offense. Healthcare facilities will be required to promptly investigate incidents of workplace violence, and annually update prevention plans based on investigation findings.
Wage and Tax Laws
Taxes and wages will both increase in the coming year, with an 8% luxury tax on high-value vehicles and private aircraft, a .5% surcharge on taxpayers with $250M in taxable income, and a tax increase on single-use plastic bags. The Washington minimum wage will increase from $16.66 to $17.13, while the Seattle minimum wage increases to $20.76. These changes are meant to reflect cost of living adjustments and inflation.