
This page has information about your rights as an applicant, worker, and how you can exercise your rights! The Workers’ Rights Education Series is hosted by the Institute for Black Justice (I.B.J.), in partnership with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
Job-seekers, potential hires, and employees are protected from discrimination from employers based on their “protected class”/identity and when exercising their rights.
Equal Pay & Opportunities Act (Chapter 49.58 RCW)
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) handles complaints of discrimination under the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act. This act protects job seekers, job applicants, and hired employees from discrimination because of their identity. Under this Act, the protected classes/identities include: “a person's age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability” (RCW 49.58.010).
Retaliation and further discrimination by employers to employees is prohibited (RCW 49.46.100) when employees exercise their rights. This means that employers can’t take negative action against you because you have made a complaint to your employer, supervisor, director, or another authorized representative or if you’re involved in any proceeding or investigation of your workplace, under the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act.
Employer Requirements (with 15+ employees):
Job Postings
Provide Information on Compensation
Provide Information on Benefits
Provide Proof to Justify Differences in Pay
Employers Can't
Require Wage and Salary History
Require a Driver’s License if not Required by the Position
Ask About Criminal History
"Washington Fair Chance Act" (RCW 49.94.010)
**Exceptions to the "Washington Fair Chance Act"**:
Employers are allowed to request and access criminal history information under these circumstances:
Worker Protections
Open Wage Discussions
Equal Pay
Equal Career Advancement
What is "Protected Class"?
"Protected Class"
Definition: "Protected class" is a list of identities that have legal protections around them which make discrimination illegal.
List of Protected Classes:
**Acceptable Reasons for Differences in Compensation or Career Advancement Opportunities (RCW 49.58.005 3(a))**
Though employees have protections against discriminatory pay and career opportunities, there are circumstances in which employers are allowed to give different levels of compensation and career advancement.
Reasons allowed (not based on an employees’ protected class):
For pay differences only, justifiable factors may also include:
Have you experienced violations under the "Washington Fair Chance Act"?
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) doesn't handle complaints under this law. To report violations under the "Washington Fair Chance Act", contact the Washington State Attorney General's Civil Rights Division.
Email: fairchancejobs@atg.wa.gov
Call: (833) 660-4877
Complete a Form: https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/FairChanceJobsComplaint.aspx
Want to learn more about your rights in the application and hiring process? Visit L&I's website:
Do you feel your rights have been violated under the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act (Chapter 49.58 RCW)? Use this form to file a complaint!
Learn more below on how to file the complaint form.
To submit an online complaint form, complete the PDF and then submit the form to L&I’s Secure File Upload.
To submit a complaint by mail, print the PDF, fill out the form, then address an envelope (with a stamp) to L&I.
Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Employment Standards
PO Box 44510
Olympia, WA 98504-4510
To submit a complaint in person, print the PDF, fill out the form, then visit your closest L&I office!
As an employee, you have the right to be compensated for the work you provide your employer, at the rate you both agreed upon.
Minimum Wage Act (49.46 RCW)
According to the Department of Labor & Industries, most agricultural jobs and non-agricultural jobs qualify for minimum wage. Though, some factors will allow employers to pay less than minimum wage. This includes minors (14-15 years old) which are required to be paid at least 85% of minimum wage, jobs that meet the criteria, and jobs that don’t qualify under the Minimum Wage Act.
Though the baseline Washington State’s minimum wage requirement for 2026 is $17.13 per hour, other jurisdictions may have higher minimum wage rates!
Employer Requirements
Provide Minimum Wage
Allow Employees to Keep Tips
Provide Overtime
Employers Can't:
Worker Protections
Equal Pay
Sick Leave
Minimum Wage Rates
King County (unincorporated areas)*
*Disclaimer: conditions apply, visit L&I's website for further information, by clicking the button below.**
Hand Harvest Laborer (RCW 49.46.010 (a))
Private Home Casual Laborer (RCW 49.46.010 (b))
Executive Level Workers (RCW 49.46.010 (c))
Volunteers (RCW 49.46.010 (d))
Government Agency Volunteers (RCW 49.46.010 (e))
Newspaper Seller and/or Delivery Person (RCW 49.46.010 (f))
Carriers Under the Interstate Commerce Act (RCW 49.46.010 (g))
Forest Protection and Fire Prevention Workers (RCW 49.46.010 (h))
Charities with Child Care, Aimed at Youth Character Development (RCW 49.46.010 (i))
If You Sleep at Your Place of Employment (On Call) (RCW 49.46.010 (j))
Residents of an Institution (RCW 49.46.010 (k))
Individuals that Hold Public Office (RCW 49.46.010 (l))
Employees Operating Washington State Ferries (RCW 49.46.010 (m))
Employees on Non-American Vessels (RCW 49.46.010 (n))
Farm Interns (RCW 49.46.010 (o))
Players for Junior Ice Hockey Teams (RCW 49.46.010 (p))
Players for Minor League Baseball (RCW 49.46.010 (q))
Do you feel your rights have been violated under the Minimum Wage Act (49.46 RCW)?
Use this form to file a complaint!
Learn more below on how to file the complaint form.
Visit L&I's website to complete an online complaint form.
To submit a complaint by mail, print the PDF, fill out the form, then address an envelope (with a stamp) to L&I.
Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Employment Standards
PO Box 44510
Olympia, WA 98504-4510
To submit a complaint in person, print the PDF, fill out the form, then visit your closest L&I office!
If you are unable to file a Worker Rights Complaint using the other options listed, you can file a complaint by calling toll free!
Call 1-866-219-7321, then press Option 3
Workers have the right to wellbeing through breaks and protected leave. As stated in the Minimum Wage Act, “demands of the workplace and of families need to be balanced to promote public health, family stability, and economic security. It is in the public interest to provide reasonable paid sick leave for employees to care for the health of themselves and their families”, protected leave is beneficial for everyone (RCW 49.46.200).
Employer Requirements:
Employers Can't:
Worker Protections
Acceptable Uses for Sick Leave
Employees have the right to use paid sick leave for themselves or their family members for any of the following reasons:
Do you feel your right to sick leave, meal breaks, or rest breaks have been violated? Use this form to file a complaint!
Visit L&I's website to complete an online complaint form.
To submit a complaint by mail, print the PDF, fill out the form, then address an envelope (with a stamp) to L&I.
Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Employment Standards
PO Box 44510
Olympia, WA 98504-4510
To submit a complaint in person, print the PDF, fill out the form, then visit your closest L&I office!
If you are unable to file a Worker Rights Complaint using the other options listed, you can file a complaint by calling toll free!
Call 1-866-219-7321, then press Option 3

This Act allows employees to take any paid leave offered by their employer to:
1. Provide treatment or supervision for a child with a health condition.
2. Care for a qualifying family member with a serious or emergency health condition.
Leave under the FCA is not available for an employee’s personal medical condition. It can only be used for a qualifying family member.

An employee whose spouse has received an impending call to active duty during a period of military conflict may take up to 15 days of job-protected leave from work. Their spouse must be a member of the armed forces or National Guard, or in reserves.
To qualify:
1. Employees must work an average of 20 or more hours per week.
2. Leave must b
An employee whose spouse has received an impending call to active duty during a period of military conflict may take up to 15 days of job-protected leave from work. Their spouse must be a member of the armed forces or National Guard, or in reserves.
To qualify:
1. Employees must work an average of 20 or more hours per week.
2. Leave must be taken prior to or during deployment.
3. Employees can use any combination of accrued paid time off, or unpaid leave.
4. Employees must notify their employer within 5 business days of receiving notice of deployment.

Washington State provides victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes the opportunity to take time off from work. This leave is available to all employees and qualifying family members.
Victims and their family members can use domestic violence leave for:
Washington State provides victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or hate crimes the opportunity to take time off from work. This leave is available to all employees and qualifying family members.
Victims and their family members can use domestic violence leave for:

Certain emergency service personnel have rights to leave work in connection with their emergency services, including:
Employers with 20 or more full-time employees must allow the above emergency service personnel to arrive late and/or be absent from work when working at, or returning from, a fire alarm or emergency call.
Employees have the right to a safe work environment, free from health hazards. Under Chapter 296-800 WAC Safety and Health Core Rules, employers are required to educate you about safety practices, prevent health hazards and workplace injuries, and take action when reports of an unsafe work environment are made.
**If you see a worker in immediate danger, call the Department of Labor & Industries at 1-800-423-7233!**
Employer Requirements:
Job Safety and Health Law [ENG] [SPAN]
Employee Protections:
Employee Responsibilities:

Workers' compensation pays for the medical care related to your accident/illness! Read through L&I's step-by-step guide on how to file a workers' compensation claim.
Do you want to report your workplace for safety and health hazards?
Learn more below on how to file the complaint form.
If you are unable to file a report using the other options listed, you can file a complaint by calling toll free!
Call 1-800-423-7233
To submit a complaint by mail, print the PDF, fill out the form, then address an envelope (with a stamp) to L&I.
Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Employment Standards
PO Box 44510
Olympia, WA 98504-4510
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) protects your right as a worker to express your rights and be free from retaliation from your employer when expressing your rights. Though L&I does take an active role in holding workplaces accountable when found to be in violation of laws, L&I isn’t an agency that handles all reports of discrimination and retaliation. L&I investigates a worker’s claims of retaliation after they’ve reported, expressed their intent to report, or have (or plan to) testify in a proceeding related to their workplace’s L&I investigation.
What does retaliation look like?
When should I report my workplace to L&I for retaliation/discrimination because I've filed a complaint?
L&I investigates wage complaints related to the Minimum Wage Act (Chapter 49.46 RCW).
If you’re facing retaliation for exercising your rights, learn how to file a retaliation complaint here:
L&I investigates Protected Leave complaints under:
L&I investigates discriminatory actions that prevent a worker from promotions or getting a pay raise due to their identity/protected class under the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (Chapter 49.58 RCW).
L&I investigates paid sick leave complaints related to the Minimum Wage Act (Chapter 49.46 RCW).
L&I investigates retaliation for Health and Safety Complaints under Chapter 49.17 RCW.
L&I investigates claims of workers' compensation suppression under RCW 51.28.025.


Copyright © 2023 Institute for Black Justice - All Rights Reserved.
THE IBJ IS A 501C3 ORGANIZATION