By Jennifer L. DreyIt’s a good time to be a job seeker in the Tri-Cities.The unemployment rate for Benton and Franklin counties hit a record low in September, dropping to 4.1 percent and marking its lowest point in the 28 years kept on record by the state’s Employment Security Department....

In January, employers will begin collecting premiums for the state’s paid family and medical leave insurance program passed into law last year.Although benefits won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2020, this statewide benefits program will allow workers to take up to 12 weeks of guaranteed paid time off — 18...

By Jerry GoodsteinWashington became the 11th state to adopt the Fair Chance Act on June 2, extending “ban the box” job seeker protections to cover the state’s public and private employers. The bill delays criminal background checks until an applicant meets the basic criteria for the job and prohibits employers...

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries could soon be proposing new wage requirements for salaried executive, administrative and professional employees.The wage requirements would be tied to the state’s minimum wage, which is set to go up $1.50 every year through 2020 with the passage of Initiative 1433. The...

By Danielle KaneCongratulations, business owner. You have successfully found and hired a team of smart and capable employees to help accomplish the organization’s goals. The team is working well – until one day, your top manager needs an unexpected couple of days off during a busy time when you and...

By Marilou SheaIt came as no surprise to my mom when I told her that Lurene Fleshman of Harris Produce in Pasco told me that they don’t use pumpkins in their pie-making. They use squash. In New England, where we’re from, squash pie was the original pumpkin pie. It was...

A man whose mother faced down Alzheimer’s wants to educate others about dementia by giving them a virtual tour through the disease.“We impair your senses to mimic or give your brain the thought of what it might feel like to have dementia,” said Rick Bennett, who owns a business called...

By Meredith FarrisYou want to make a difference in the world in a way that reflects your deeply-held beliefs. Increasingly, investors are defining long-term value as not only realizing attractive returns, but also generating positive social or environmental impact. To that end, they are looking for ways to align their...

Community First Bank recently underwent a rebranding to modernize its curb appeal and to unify its different business lines, which now include wealth management, trust services and home mortgages.Formed in 1997, Community First Bank, headquartered in Kennewick with branches in Richland, Pasco and Connell, is the longest running community bank...