Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 49.76 · 17 active provisions
(1) It is in the public interest to reduce domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and hate crime by enabling victims to maintain the financial independence necessary to leave abusive situations, achieve safety, and minimize physical and emotional injuries, and to reduce the devastating economic consequences of do…
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Child," "spouse," "parent," "parent-in-law," "grandparent," and "sick leave and other paid time off" have the same meanings as in RCW 49.12.265.(2) "Dating relationship" has the same meaning as in RCW 7.105.…
An employee may take reasonable leave from work, intermittent leave, or leave on a reduced leave schedule, with or without pay, to:(1) Seek legal or law enforcement assistance or remedies to ensure the health and safety of the employee or employee's family members including, but not limited to, preparing for, or partic…
(1) As a condition of taking leave for any purpose described in RCW 49.76.030, an employee shall give an employer advance notice of the employee's intention to take leave. The timing of the notice shall be consistent with the employer's stated policy for requesting such leave, if the employer has such a policy. When ad…
(1) The taking of leave under RCW 49.76.030 may not result in the loss of any pay or benefits to the employee that accrued before the date on which the leave commenced.(2) Upon an employee's return, an employer shall either:(a) Restore the employee to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave comme…
(1) The rights provided in this chapter are in addition to any other rights provided by state and federal law.(2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting policies that provide greater leave rights or greater safety accommodations to employees who are victims of domestic violence…
Upon complaint by an employee, the director shall investigate to determine if there has been compliance with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter. If the investigation indicates that a violation has occurred, the director shall issue a notice of infraction. Appeal from the director's decision is govern…
(1) If an employer is found to have committed an infraction under RCW 49.76.070, the director may impose upon the employer a fine of up to five hundred dollars for the first infraction and a fine of up to one thousand dollars for each subsequent infraction committed within three years of a previous infraction.(2) The d…
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, information contained in the department's complaint files and records of employees under this chapter is confidential and shall not be open to public inspection.(2) Except as limited by state or federal statute or regulations:(a) The information in subsection (1…
(1) Any employee or applicant for employment deeming herself or himself injured by any act in violation of this chapter shall have a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin further violations, or to recover the actual damages sustained by the person, or both, together with the cost of suit including…
Any finding, determination, conclusion, declaration, or notice of infraction made for the purposes of enforcing this chapter by the director or by an appeal tribunal, administrative law judge, or reviewing officer is neither conclusive nor binding in any civil action filed pursuant to RCW 49.76.100 or in any other comm…
An employer may not:(1) Refuse to hire an otherwise qualified individual because the individual is an actual or perceived victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crime;(2) Discharge, threaten to discharge, demote, suspend or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against an individual with regar…
No employer may discharge, threaten to discharge, demote, deny a promotion to, sanction, discipline, retaliate against, harass, or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee:(1) Exercised rights under RCW 49.76.030 or 49.7…
The department shall include notice of the provisions of this chapter in the next reprinting of employment posters. Each employer shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, a notice, to be prepared or…
Prosecuting attorney and victim/witness offices are encouraged to make information regarding this chapter available for distribution at their offices.
The director shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 1, 2008].