The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued new rules to implement labor standards for quotas in warehouse distribution centers, effective July 1. These standards were developed in response to passage of 2SHB 1762 in 2023 and aim to protect workers subjected to performance quotas.
The Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards (FPLS) division has collaborated with L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to establish these rules, now codified in Chapter 296-136 WAC. The new regulations require certain warehouse employers to provide clear descriptions of quotas and associated disciplinary actions to their employees. Additionally, quotas must accommodate time for rest breaks, travel to break locations, and other necessary activities to complete the work safely.
Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who utilize these protections. Moreover, DOSH’s quota safety standards mandate that quotas must allow adequate time for bathroom breaks and access to safety equipment.
WR worked with L&I on the development of these rules and is pleased that L&I incorporated comments submitted. The recommendations align the rules with the language in 2SHB1762 on determining employee thresholds used for enforcing the standards.
For more detailed information on these new rules, visit the warehouse distribution centers rulemaking web page.
