Are employers required to provide health benefits to their employees?

In the state of Washington, employers are not always required to provide health benefits to their employees. However, there are certain exceptions. Depending on the size of the company, employers may be required to provide health coverage under the Washington State Employment Security Statutes and regulations. For companies with at least 50 employees or an average of 50 or more employees during the previous calendar year, employers must provide medical insurance to eligible employees. These employers must offer group health coverage for each employee that works at least 30 hours each week and must also pay at least 50% of the premium cost for each employee. In addition, Washington employers are also required to provide their employees with some other minimally mandated benefits. These include paid sick and vacation leave and a Worker’s Compensation Program that covers medical costs and a portion of lost wages due to a job-related injury or occupational illness. Ultimately, many employers in the state of Washington do provide health benefits to their employees and take advantage of certain state and federal laws that assist with the cost. However, employers are not legally obligated to offer health benefits unless their employee size meets a certain threshold.

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Are employers required to provide health benefits to their employees?

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