Introduction
The State of Washington is a
vigilant steward of the well-being of its workers. Whether wage and hour rights, protection from
discrimination and retaliation, whistleblower protection, workplace safety,
industrial insurance or benefits such as leaves, the Washington State
Legislature and its courts have often gone beyond the guidelines and
requirements of the “other” Washington in an effort to protect the rights of
its workers.
This requires a thorough familiarity with Washington State laws and regulations governing the employment relationship before hiring the first employee to ensure that the intended terms and conditions of employment comply with governing law. Statutorily-mandated sanctions such as double damages and attorney’s fees are designed to incentivize employees to report violations in order to hold their employers to these legally required standards.
The federal government as well as the State of Washington has a comprehensive system to provide coverage in the event of workplace injuries as well as a set of laws governing workplace safety. The former is known as “Industrial Insurance” to provide benefits to workers
This requires a thorough familiarity with Washington State laws and regulations governing the employment relationship before hiring the first employee to ensure that the intended terms and conditions of employment comply with governing law. Statutorily-mandated sanctions such as double damages and attorney’s fees are designed to incentivize employees to report violations in order to hold their employers to these legally required standards.
The federal government as well as the State of Washington has a comprehensive system to provide coverage in the event of workplace injuries as well as a set of laws governing workplace safety. The former is known as “Industrial Insurance” to provide benefits to workers