L&I training & workshops

Go to L&I's Workshop & Training Center to get information about workshops,training and certification programs offered by L&I, as well as online courses and a number of other resources.

Free seminar: Hire the right person first time, every time!

Human resources consultant Humanix Staffing and Recruiting and the trade group Associated Industries will teach a free seminar on how to hire and keep good people, and keep them safe on the job. The seminar is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, at the Spokane Convention Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Learn how the experts:

• Write a job description that helps you hire the right person.
• Plan the interview and ask effective questions.
• Use questions you can legally ask during an interview or reference check.
• Do effective background checks, substance abuse screening, and reference checks.
• Keep your good employees.
• Build a workable safety plan to keep workers safe and avoid costly injuries.

This seminar is sponsored by the Governor’s Safety and Health Conference. To register, please contact Ron Langley at SmallBusiness@Lni.wa.gov or toll-free at 1-800-987-0145.

Other training

Online video: Plan for and Pay Your Taxes (DOR.wa.gov) 20 minutes, requires QuickTime.

This online guide walks you through all Washington state business taxes, including the business and occupation tax (B&O), sales tax, unemployment insurance tax, and workers' compensation insurance premiums.

This step-by-step video tells you how to:

• Register with the state.
• Find out your tax rate.
• Keep correct records.
• File and pay your taxes and state insurance premiums.

The video ends with links to where you can find help with the details.

"Hiring Workers for Your Business:
Are They Independent Contractors or Employees?"
This 140-minute online seminar, a joint presentation by L&I and the Internal Revenue Service (January 17, 2008) covers, in detail, both state and federal requirements for hiring independent contractors.

It will help you avoid making the mistake of hiring what you thought was an independent contractor, only to find that you actually hired an employee — and then owe back taxes and insurance premiums!