Employment Lawyer Washington

Standing Up for Washington State Workers

Washington state employees are protected by some of the most comprehensive employment laws in the country. When employers ignore those protections — through illegal termination, wage violations, discrimination, or retaliation — Wilshire Law Firm is ready to fight on your behalf. Our employment attorneys who are licensed in Washington represent workers throughout the state in claims against employers of all sizes, and we handle every case on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless you get paid.

Contact us today for a free consultation, available 24/7.

Washington Employment Law: What Workers Need to Know

Washington is an at-will employment state, but that designation comes with significant legal limitations. Both state and federal law establish robust protections for employees, and Washington’s own statutes frequently go further than federal minimums in protecting workers’ rights.

The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), codified at RCW 49.60, is the cornerstone of Washington employment law. Unlike federal anti-discrimination laws — which generally apply to employers with 15 or more employees — the WLAD applies to employers with as few as eight employees, dramatically expanding coverage for Washington workers.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) enforces wage and hour laws, workplace safety, and workers’ compensation protections. For discrimination and civil rights claims, workers may file with the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC).

Key Washington employment protections include:

• WLAD (RCW 49.60) — prohibiting discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, and citizenship or immigration status
• Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) — recently expanded (effective July 2025) to require equal pay across an even broader set of protected classes, with new pay transparency requirements for job postings
• Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) — providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, funded through employer and employee contributions
• Washington Minimum Wage Act — Washington consistently maintains one of the highest state minimum wage rates in the nation, adjusted annually
• Final paycheck rules — employers must pay all owed wages, including overtime and commissions, by the end of the next regular pay period following termination
• Washington Mini-WARN Act (effective July 2025) — covering employers with 50 or more full-time workers (compared to the federal threshold of 100), requiring 60 days’ advance notice before covered mass layoffs or business closures
• Immigration status protections (SB 5104, effective 2025) — employers are now prohibited from using a worker’s immigration status to coerce or cover up wage violations, with civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for repeat offenders

Employment Cases We Handle in Washington

Wrongful Termination — Washington

Washington employers cannot terminate workers for discriminatory reasons, in retaliation for protected activity, or in violation of public policy. The WLAD’s broader coverage means more Washington employees have legal recourse than under federal law alone. If you were fired after reporting safety violations, filing a workers’ comp claim, taking protected leave, or because of a protected characteristic, contact us. Learn more →

Unpaid Wages & Wage Theft — Washington

Hourly Washington workers are entitled to overtime at 1.5x for hours exceeding 40 per week, properly paid meal and rest breaks, accurate final paychecks, and compliance with Washington’s minimum wage — one of the highest in the country. When employers shortchange workers, L&I and the courts provide meaningful remedies. Learn more →

Workplace Discrimination

The WLAD covers a broader range of employers and protected characteristics than federal law. Our attorneys handle discrimination claims involving race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and more.

Sexual Harassment & Hostile Work Environment

Washington law imposes duties on employers to prevent and address sexual harassment. Seattle adds additional municipal protections enforced by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards. If you experienced harassment and your employer failed to respond appropriately, you may have a viable claim.

Retaliation

Washington law prohibits retaliation under the WLAD, WISHA (workplace safety), the Minimum Wage Act, and other statutes. Employers cannot punish workers for reporting violations, filing complaints, participating in investigations, or exercising protected rights.

Tech Sector Layoffs & Mass Layoff Discrimination

Washington’s major technology employers — including companies headquartered in the Seattle metro — have conducted significant workforce reductions in recent years. When layoffs disproportionately affect workers in protected categories (older employees, workers on medical leave, recently pregnant employees), those terminations may be actionable under the WLAD and federal law.

Employee Misclassification

Washington law provides remedies for workers wrongly classified as independent contractors or as overtime-exempt, resulting in lost wages and benefits.

Washington Cities We Serve

Our Washington employment attorneys represent workers throughout the state, including:

• Seattle — Washington’s largest city and dominant employment law market, with its own robust municipal labor ordinances enforced by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards
• Tacoma — Washington’s third-largest city and a significant industrial and blue-collar employment market, with its own paid sick leave ordinance
• Spokane — Eastern Washington’s largest city and a distinct regional market with its own employment law landscape

We represent Washington employees statewide, regardless of where your employer operates.

Why Choose Wilshire Law Firm for Your Washington Employment Case?

• Proven track record — Consistently achieving top settlements in employment, class action, and wage and hour matters
• No fees unless you get paid — Contingency fee representation with no upfront costs
• Available 24/7 — Our team is reachable at any hour for a free case evaluation

Contact Our Washington Employment Attorneys

If you are a Washington worker who has been wrongfully terminated, denied wages you earned, or subjected to discrimination or harassment, Wilshire Law Firm is ready to help. Call us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your situation, explain your rights under Washington law, and help you understand every option available to you.