Employment Lawyer Seattle, Washington
Seattle Workers Have Some of the Strongest Labor Protections in the Country
Seattle is Washington’s largest city and one of the most dynamic employment markets in the nation — home to Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Costco, and hundreds of technology, healthcare, and financial services employers. It is also a city where worker rights are taken seriously. Seattle has its own municipal labor standards that go beyond state and federal law, enforced by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS).
At Wilshire Law Firm, our Washington licensed employment attorneys represent Seattle workers in wrongful termination, unpaid wages, workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims against employers of every size. We work on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless you get paid.
Seattle’s Layered Employment Protections
Seattle workers benefit from three layers of protection: federal law, Washington state law (including the WLAD), and Seattle’s own municipal ordinances. The Seattle Office of Labor Standards enforces the following city-level protections:
- Seattle Minimum Wage — as of January 1, 2025, $20.76/hour for all employers, regardless of size — significantly higher than the Washington state minimum of $17.13/hour
- Paid Sick Time — Seattle’s sick leave ordinance provides robust protections for workers
- Secure Scheduling Ordinance — requires advance notice of schedules and compensation for last-minute changes, primarily for retail and food service workers
- Wage Theft Ordinance — OLS actively investigates and enforces wage theft claims
- Fair Chance Employment — limits the use of arrest and conviction records in hiring decisions
- App-Based Worker Protections — new deactivation rights effective January 2025 for rideshare and delivery workers
At the state level, the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) — which applies to employers with as few as eight employees — provides broader anti-discrimination protections than federal law. Washington’s overtime salary thresholds are also significantly higher than federal standards, meaning many Seattle workers paid a salary are entitled to overtime that their employers may not be paying.
Tech Sector Layoffs and Wrongful Termination in Seattle
Seattle’s technology sector has experienced major workforce reductions since 2024, with tens of thousands of workers laid off across Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and dozens of mid-size tech companies in the Seattle metro. When layoff selection criteria disproportionately affect workers over 40, workers on medical or parental leave, or workers who recently reported misconduct, those terminations may constitute unlawful discrimination under the WLAD or federal law.
If you were included in a tech layoff and believe your selection was discriminatory, an employment attorney can analyze whether the process violated your rights. Washington’s Mini-WARN Act (effective July 2025) also requires employers with 50 or more full-time workers to provide 60 days’ advance notice before covered mass layoffs — failures to comply carry significant financial penalties.
Employment Cases We Handle in Seattle
- Wrongful termination — including tech sector layoff discrimination, retaliation, and WLAD violations
- Unpaid wages and overtime — including Seattle minimum wage violations, final paycheck disputes, and willful violation double damages
- Workplace discrimination — race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and more
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment
- Retaliation — including for reporting safety violations, filing EEOC or OLS complaints, or taking PFML leave
Frequently Asked Questions — Seattle Employment Lawyer
Q: What is Seattle’s minimum wage in 2025?
A: As of January 1, 2025, Seattle’s minimum wage is $20.76/hour for all employers regardless of size — higher than Washington’s state minimum of $17.13. If you are being paid less, you may have a wage claim with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards or Washington L&I.
Q: I was laid off by a Seattle tech company. Do I have a legal claim?
A: Possibly. Most tech layoffs are legal, but if your termination was disproportionately based on age, disability, pregnancy, or another protected characteristic — or if your employer failed to comply with Washington’s Mini-WARN Act notice requirements — you may have a viable claim. An attorney can review your severance agreement and the circumstances of your layoff.
Q: Where are Seattle employment cases filed?
A: State law claims are filed in King County Superior Court. WLAD administrative complaints are filed with the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC). Wage complaints go to Washington L&I or the Seattle OLS. Federal claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle.
Q: Does Wilshire Law Firm charge upfront fees in Seattle cases?
A: No. All Seattle employment cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless you get paid. Court costs and case expenses may apply.
Contact Our Seattle Employment Attorneys
If you are a Seattle worker who has been wrongfully terminated, denied wages, or subjected to discrimination or harassment, call Wilshire Law Firm 24/7 for a free consultation. Our employment attorneys will evaluate your case and explain your rights — at no cost.