Strategic Forward
Automotive HR Risk & Compliance Solutions
Our Training Solutions
Protect Your Profits. Bulletproof Your Team.
Compliance missteps in Washington State are expensive. Our specialized training services are designed exclusively for dealership staff and management, transforming HR risk into operational strength.
We deliver:
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Mandatory Compliance Training: Ensuring all employees meet strict Washington State legal requirements, eliminating exposure to high-dollar fines.
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Proactive HR Management Training: Equipping your Managers and HR teams with the latest updated knowledge and practice with modern adult learning techniques, so they proactively manage risk, not just react to problems.
Turn a legal requirement into your competitive advantage.
We provide:
Live on-site in-person training.
Live online training.
eLearning solutions.
Testimonial
"We brought in Strategic Forward specifically for their mandatory compliance training for our sales and service staff. Their approach to topics like harassment prevention and respectful workplace was excellent. It wasn't just about checking a box; it genuinely educated our employees on appropriate conduct and policies. This proactive training is instrumental in preventing issues before they even arise, saving us headaches down the line." — Greg S., General Manager
Mandatory Compliance Training: Securing Your WA Dealership
Washington State’s labor laws are uniquely strict. Compliance isn't optional; it's the foundation of risk management. Our programs ensure your dealership meets all statutory requirements and best practices, turning legal duty into operational strength.
1. Workplace Safety & Health (WISHA/L&I Shield)
Protect your employees and shield your business from costly L&I investigations and fines. We provide the structured, documented training required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.
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New Hire Onboarding: Immediate training on job-specific hazards, emergency protocols, and PPE use for all service and detail staff.
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Documented Safety: Establishing continuous training and clear procedures to maintain operational safety compliance.
2. Harassment & Discrimination Prevention
WA law imposes a non-delegable duty on employers to prevent harassment. Our training is your necessary defense, equipping managers to spot issues and fostering a professional, respectful culture.
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Comprehensive Coverage: Training that addresses all unlawful discrimination and harassment, including the state’s broad protected classes and the prevention of sexual harassment.
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Risk Mitigation: Addressing abusive conduct and bullying to minimize legal claims and reduce employee turnover.
3. Wage & Hour Compliance (MWA Defense)
Dealership compensation structures (commissions, flat-rate, bonuses) are highly scrutinized. Our training locks down your payroll processes to prevent devastating class-action or individual wage claims under the Minimum Wage Act (MWA).
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Break Compliance: Absolute clarity on the right to paid 10-minute rest breaks and required meal periods—a top target for WA litigation.
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Commission Accuracy: Training managers on legal, precise calculations for overtime and complex compensation to ensure MWA compliance.
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Defensible Timekeeping: Procedures for accurate time recording to eliminate "off-the-clock" work and associated liability.
Strategic Forward delivers the mandatory training you need in a format your team will understand and apply, securing your dealership from costly non-compliance.
Testimonial
"Keeping up with the constant changes in Washington's employment rules and regulations is a full-time job in itself. Strategic Forward's HR management training is essential for us. They distill complex legislative updates into clear, digestible information, ensuring our HR team is always current and our dealership remains compliant. It's a non-negotiable service for navigating the complexities of our state's regulations." — Rachel K., Dealership HR Manager
Proactive HR Management Training: Manager Training to Mitigate Risk
In a high-risk environment, your managers are your front line of defense. Our specialized HR Management training converts complex compliance into confident leadership, ensuring every personnel decision is legally defensible. We empower your team to handle sensitive situations the right way, every time.
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1. Lawful Leadership: Hiring & Performance
We train managers to build strong teams while eliminating costly discrimination exposure during the entire employee lifecycle.
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Risk-Free Hiring: Mastering interview compliance to legally vet candidates in WA, avoiding illegal questions about salary history or protected status.
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Defensible Documentation: Training on progressive discipline and writing objective, legally sound performance reviews that stand up to legal scrutiny.
2. Complex Leave & Accommodation Navigation
Washington’s overlapping leave laws (FMLA, PFL, PFML) and strict disability rules (WLAD) are a compliance minefield. We provide the map.
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Leave Compliance: Clear guidance on coordinating state and federal leave benefits to ensure managers comply with all legal requirements simultaneously.
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Interactive Process: Practical training on engaging in the interactive process for disability accommodation, minimizing exposure to WLAD failure-to-accommodate claims.
3. Termination & Separation Protocols
The end of employment is the highest risk moment. We ensure your managers handle terminations ethically and legally, preventing costly wrongful termination and retaliation lawsuits.
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Retaliation Shield: Training on how to conduct terminations that cannot be construed as retaliation for protected employee activities.
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Final Pay Precision: Strict adherence to WA laws governing the timing and content of final paychecks to avoid statutory penalties.
Strategic Forward equips your leadership team with the HR expertise needed to manage, motivate, and defend your dealership’s employment practices.
Let's talk!