In an at-will employment state like Washington State, employers don’t have to provide reasons for firing employees. An employer can terminate your employment for almost any reason they wish.
Emphasis on “almost.” Wrongful termination laws in Washington still prohibit employers from firing employees for discriminatory reasons.
Do you believe an employer who fired you violated Washington wrongful termination laws? If so, you may have justification to take legal action. By filing a complaint, you may seek financial compensation, reinstatement to your job, and similar remedies, depending on the circumstances.
What Is The Washington Law Against Discrimination?
The Washington State Law Against Discrimination prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of:
- Disability
- Use of a service animal
- HIV/AIDS status
- Hepatitis C status
- Race
- Color
- Creed
- National origin
- Sex/pregnancy
- Marital status
- Age (for those over the age of 40 years)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Military/veteran status
- Whistleblower status for state employees and healthcare workers
Additionally, if an employee voices their opposition to any discriminatory practice, an employer can’t retaliate against them accordingly.
What Other Laws Protect Washington Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Washington wrongful termination laws also include the following federal laws and statutes:
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Whistleblower Protection Act
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Your employment contract may also specify when an employer can and can’t fire you. Check your contract if you suspect an employer has violated its terms. If they have, this is another reason to file a wrongful termination complaint in Washington State.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Washington?
The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) handles wrongful termination complaints. You may find the relevant complaint form online.
The process begins by contacting the agency and scheduling an intake interview. Once you complete the interview and submit a questionnaire form, the agency will assign an investigator to your complaint.
Don’t delay in contacting the WSHRC. You must start the process within six months of losing your job, otherwise the agency won’t investigate.
When submitting your complaint, ask if the WSHRC also simultaneously files such complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This is the federal agency handling wrongful termination complaints.
If the WSHRC won’t file an EEOC complaint on your behalf, do so yourself after filing an WSHRC complaint. The EEOC’s website explains how to file a complaint with the agency.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Washington Wrongful Termination Claims
An attorney may assist you in several ways when you think you’ve experienced wrongful termination in Washington State. A lawyer can review your case to explain its potential merits, gather evidence of discrimination, and more.
A lawyer’s assistance may play a major role in your case’s outcome. To learn more about what a Washington State wrongful termination lawyer can do for you, take the Free Case Evaluation today to connect with a lawyer who subscribes to the website.
