Category: L&I Audits & Appeals
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DoorDash’s $14.5 Million Lesson: Independent Contractors Can Still Be Covered by L&I
As many of you know, and as we’ve tried to educate any client who will listen, calling workers independent contractors does not necessarily mean that you are not required to pay…Read more
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How to Respond to Record Requests in Washington L&I and ESD Audits
One of the first things employers notice after receiving an audit notice from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or the Employment Security Department (ESD) is the extensive list…Read more
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L&I v. Simmons Clarified the Service Rule — But Left Employers Guessing When the Clock Starts
The Washington Court of Appeals’ decision in Dept. of Labor & Industries v. Simmons, 537 P.3d 701 (Wash. App. 2023) brought much-needed clarity to one issue that had been lingering in…Read more
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When AI Supervises Your Contractors: Where Washington Might Draw the Line
As many of you know, artificial intelligence is no longer just a curiosity, or a substitute for Google, or something to amuse yourself during downtime. For many businesses, it’s become part…Read more
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When Passing an Audit Can Backfire
Over the years, some of the more common things we hear from business owners who have been through audits sound something like this:
“We went through an audit a few years ago,…Read more
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Prioritizing Compliance in 2026 Can Be a Million-Dollar Move: A Practical Checklist to Start the Year
We recently represented a business in an appeal of a government agency assessment exceeding $1 million. By the end of the process, the assessment was reduced to $0. While we’re proud…Read more
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When Your Contract with a Higher-Tier Contractor Puts You at Risk
An unfortunate reality with independent contractor law compliance is that compliance is not solely dependent on what you do. Rather, a significant part of compliance depends on what independent contractors and…Read more
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What Type of Auditor is Your Auditor?
Over the years, we’ve worked with many different auditors in L&I and ESD audits, and it’s gotten to where we can fairly accurately predict the type of audit a client is…Read more
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How to Respond to Record Requests in an L&I or ESD Audit
One of the more stress-inducing aspects of an L&I Audit or ESD Audit is the list of records you’re asked to provide. The checklist of requested records is often viewed as…Read more
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ESD Audits vs. L&I Audits — How do They Compare?
Over the years, we’ve represented clients in hundreds of audits and appeals before the Washington State Employment Security Department (“ESD”) and Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (“L&I”). While it…Read more
LATEST POSTS
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DoorDash’s $14.5 Million Lesson: Independent Contractors Can Still Be Covered by L&I
-
How to Respond to Record Requests in Washington L&I and ESD Audits
-
L&I v. Simmons Clarified the Service Rule — But Left Employers Guessing When the Clock Starts
-
When AI Supervises Your Contractors: Where Washington Might Draw the Line
-
When Passing an Audit Can Backfire
-
Prioritizing Compliance in 2026 Can Be a Million-Dollar Move: A Practical Checklist to Start the Year
-
When Your Contract with a Higher-Tier Contractor Puts You at Risk
-
What Type of Auditor is Your Auditor?
-
How to Respond to Record Requests in an L&I or ESD Audit
-
ESD Audits vs. L&I Audits — How do They Compare?