More health care workers receive overtime protections as of Jan. 1. Employees must meet three criteria for coverage:
- Employed by a covered health care facility.
- Involved in direct patient care activities or clinical services.
- Receive an hourly wage or are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
This includes workers in hospitals, rural health care facilities, hospices and other facilities. The agency’s website, www.Lni.wa.gov/HLS, provides a complete list.
The website also includes specific rights under the law, exceptions and agency policy, which provides guidance in meeting mandatory overtime requirements, including definitions of such terms as “reasonable efforts” and “direct patient care.”
Send questions to the HLS Program at Healthcarelaborstandards@Lni.wa.gov. (Gena Cooper)