Forbes ranking of ‘America’s Best Startup Employers’ include 13 Seattle-area companies, Seattle tech giants attempt to bridge divide by paying hourly workers during coronavirus recess, and more in this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

Forbes Ranking of ‘America’s Best Startup Employers’ Include 13 Seattle-Area Companies

GeekWire | Kurt Schlosser | March 10

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/forbes-ranking-americas-best-startup-employers-includes-13-seattle-area-companies/

“Seattle-area companies grabbed 13 spots on a list from Forbes on Tuesday that calls out “America’s Best Startup Employers.” The inaugural ranking from the magazine, in partnership with market research company Statista, identifies companies that are liked best by employees. Five hundred startups made the list after 2,500 U.S. businesses with at least 50 employees were evaluated on three criteria: employer reputation, employee satisfaction and growth”

Port of Seattle Moves toward Implementing Facial Recognition

Seattle Times | Katherine Khashimova Long | March 10

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/port-of-seattle-moves-toward-implementing-facial-recognition/

“In late January — six weeks after the Port of Seattle declared a moratorium on the rollout of any new biometric technologies while it drafted regulations concerning their use — the federal border agency quietly expanded what it has called a “demonstration” of biometric technology at Sea-Tac from one airline to four. Rather than let CBP or airlines control the biometric screening program, commissioners said, the Port will be more effectively able to ensure civil liberties are not violated if it manages the cameras. Commissioners said the Port could ensure cameras capture only one person at a time, install easy-to-understand advisories and set up the program so passengers have to opt in rather than opt out.”

Seattle Tech Giants Attempt to Bridge Divide by Paying Hourly Workers during Coronavirus Recess

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | March 6

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattle-tech-giants-will-continue-paying-hourly-support-staff-coronavirus-recess/

“Seattle’s largest technology companies plan to pay their hourly workers normal wages even as their need for support staff diminishes due to telecommuting policies that employers are pushing to stem the spread of COVID-19. Microsoft, Amazon, and Expedia said this week that they will continue to pay hourly vendors their regular compensation even though the companies have asked employees who can work from home to do so. Widespread telecommuting in the Seattle tech industry is in response to recommendations from public health officials seeking to stymie the novel coronavirus outbreak in the region.”