Get free answers to your Employment Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I’ve been contracted through an agency to work at a hospital care program since 2008. On January 23, 2025, I reported a physical therapist making inappropriate comments to two senior patients. Following my report, hospital management placed me under investigation and suspended my contract work... View More
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answered on Feb 23, 2025
Assuming you did not complain to the government, Washington's Healthcare Whistleblower Retaliation protections do not apply to you.
Nevertheless, depending on the nature of the inappropriate comments, you may still have a claim for wrongful termination in violation of public policy, if... View More
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answered on Jan 25, 2025
Thank you for the interesting question.
In Washington State, businesses have to pay whichever minimum wage is higher—whether that’s set by the state or by a city or county. So, if a county raises its minimum wage above the state level, companies in that area are required to follow the... View More
Minimum wages for my county just went up. However company refuses to pay those wages. Does state minimum wages supercede a unincorporated county's wages? Or am I capable of fighting this and able to sue my company.
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answered on Jan 26, 2025
You can file a complaint for failure to pay minimum wage with the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries at:
https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/
I was told HR would have to speak to me about consequences because it is technically a “walk out “ since I showed up at all yesterday. I went to urgent care and was put on the waitlist to be seen, but it was almost 5:30 PM when I arrived at urgent care and they closed at seven, so I wasn’t... View More
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answered on Jan 23, 2025
Hello again - I answered your other question on point. Employers hold most of the "power" in 49 of the 50 states, plus the territories and DC. Most employees are "at will" - this means an employer can terminate an employee for zero reason, and with zero advance notice. Since... View More
My employer told me this is a “walk out” and consequences would have to be talked over with HR the following day. As I was leaving I was told not to return unless I had a doctors note. I immediately ubered to urgent care (although I didn’t immediate need medical attention , I didn’t want to... View More
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answered on Jan 23, 2025
I'm so sorry you felt so ill, and hope you're feeling better now.
If are an "at will" employee (no contract, no union), your employer can require a doctor's note and, I'm afraid, can terminate you if you fail to provide one (check to see if the employer has an... View More
I work in Washington state, and our minimum wage increased an January 1st, 2025. I just got my first paycheck of the year, with the same minimum wage as 2024.
My employer says that I am payed this due to the hours I'm being paid for being in 2024, but I wasn't sure if I had to be... View More
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answered on Jan 12, 2025
The date the work was performed controls what minimum wage rate applies, not the date of payment. Thus, you should get the 2024 minimum wage for hours worked in 2024 and the 2025 minimum wage for hours worked in 2025.
I had permission from my manager to skip lunch due to my i.b.s, and that it wouldn't be deducted from my hours, surprise surprise in my final paycheck every lunch was deducted and I never got paid for those hours I worked. it's a family owned business so once I reached out to h.r or... View More
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answered on Jan 9, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear about your employment issues and health problems.
You may want to try this first - you can file a complaint with a WA State agency for free: https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-complaints/worker-rights-complaints
Your former employer is... View More
I am a part time employee in washington state. i am currently below the salary threshold. i work at a nonprofit. i asked my employer and they disagreed with me. is there any reason i am in the wrong? this would also apply up to three years past as well.
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answered on Jan 6, 2025
Your employer is incorrect. The salary threshold is based on a 40 hour week, not a part-time week.
The Department of Labor and Industries provides a chart showing the required minimum weekly earnings at:
https://www.lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/f700-207-000.pdf
It ended abruptly. Ever since, he's been treating me poorly, jerking me around, and I think he's trying to get me to quit. I would like to push back because my quality of life is suffering and I'm not going to be forced out of the company.
Unfortunately I do not have all the... View More
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answered on Jan 5, 2025
I'm so very sorry you're going through this. I have a lifetime of employment discrimination/sexual harassment experience, even before law school (I was a discrimination investigator at the Washington State Human Rights Commission).
First, write out a timeline for your... View More
If she gets hurt on our property, what liability do we have. We are 80 year olds and she does mainly cleaning, but has shoveled snow for us and other jobs as they come up such as change light bulbs, taking items to Goodwill, recycling, but mostly help around the house.
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answered on Dec 31, 2024
The liability for you if the woman helping you gets hurt would be the same as a guest in your house. That is to say, if a guest in your house, or a person working for you, is injured in your house, you could be liable for some or all of their medical costs (I say "some" because the... View More
My manager hired a man who has a lengthy history of DV and he is aggressive verbally to our female co workers. I looked at his legal history and discovered the charges. I brought it to the attention of the manager and she said that we should avoid pushing his buttons. Her boss found out about the... View More
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answered on Dec 23, 2024
If you believe you're being treated unfairly or retaliated against at work after reporting safety concerns, let’s break down what’s happening and explore your options. Washington State has laws in place to protect employees in situations like yours, so you may have recourse.... View More
Back on May 30th of 2024 I was terminated . For reporting harassment the day prior. However at this point I mainly want to focus on the around $1800 in PTO PAY that I never received. According to the employee handbook any and all PTO is supposed to be paid out upon termination. Every employment... View More
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answered on Nov 21, 2024
You can file a wage complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor Industry at:
https://secure.lni.wa.gov/wagecomplaint/#/
I work in a male dominated industry and feel like I’m being discriminated and targeted. My boss also broke the company policy too.
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answered on Nov 16, 2024
If you are female and you were fired for breaking a company policy, while male employees are not disciplined for breaking the same policy, then you may have a claim for gender based discrimination.
What are my options. I was just told that i should take another offer from a different company and leave. Is that legally considered me being let go or fired?They still are employing me. The company has also forced me to drive my personal vehicle while on a suspended license and they know its... View More
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answered on Oct 29, 2024
If your employer is still employing you, you are not fire (at least not yet). You can ask HR or your supervisor in writing for clarification or you can keep working until your employer terminates you.
More important, you need to get your license reinstated ASAP for two reasons.... View More
i have a scheduled disciplinary hearing scheduled at work. I am a HCA (Home Care Aide) or healthcare professional. I have fraudulent/contradictory allegations made towards me including rear-ending someone in an auto collision, buying a client alcohol & having a relative drive us home due to my... View More
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answered on Oct 19, 2024
First, carefully review all the allegations against you and gather any evidence that supports your side, such as emails, messages, or witness statements. Document the events in detail, including dates, times, and any relevant interactions. Collect any evidence that can refute the fraudulent claims,... View More
I'm 16, and whenever I receive a paycheck, I lose about $25 to $30 due to taxes. This made me think about the Constitution and how this feels like textbook taxation without representation. I’ve done some research, and taxation without representation describes someone who is required to pay... View More
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answered on Sep 25, 2024
You’re right that taxation without representation historically refers to being taxed by a government without having a say in its decisions. In your case, you’re paying taxes, but because you’re under 18, you can’t vote yet, which might seem like you’re not being represented.... View More
I consented to a u/a however when I found out it was by direct oberservation I wouldnt give one due to invasion of privacy and trauma regarding the collection process. It is not in their policy rule that the do the u/a with direct oberservation. I filed for unemployment and got denied, I have... View More
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answered on Sep 14, 2024
It sounds like you are challenging your termination based on the lack of a policy about direct observation during a urine analysis (UA) and your concerns about privacy and trauma. When a workplace conducts drug testing, they generally must follow specific procedures outlined in their policy... View More
I graduated in May 2024 with an MBA degree and I am currently on my F1 OPT. I have been working on a business idea for some time, and would like to start an LLC to formalize my business and use it as my OPT for the first year. I have already spoken to my DSO and while they have not raised any red... View More
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answered on Aug 16, 2024
You can form an LLC while on F1 OPT, but there are some important limitations to be aware of. While starting the business is allowed, working full-time for your own company can be problematic. The U.S. immigration rules for OPT require that employment be directly related to your field of study, and... View More
I'm interested in creating an online platform similar to LinkedIn but specifically for individuals under the age of 16 who are looking for internship, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities. Given that LinkedIn currently restricts its users to those over 16, I want to understand the legal... View More
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answered on Aug 6, 2024
Creating a LinkedIn-style platform for minors under 16 involves navigating several important legal considerations. Firstly, you must comply with child labor laws, which vary by state and regulate the types of work minors can do, the hours they can work, and the conditions under which they can work.... View More
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