Washington LawHelp

Understanding the Basics (11)+

• Getting Hired

  Your first step towards getting a job may be filling out an application or having an interview. This is your chance to show the employer you have the skills to work for them. This explains what the employer may legally ask you in the interview or application. #2907EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Health and Safety in the Workplace

  Information about what to do if there is a safety hazard or unsafe conditions in your workplace and what to do if you become injured or sick at work. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Know Your Rights at Work

  Watch a short video to learn about your rights at work. Read More

  By:

  Fair Work Center

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Know Your Rights: Domestic Workers in Washington State

  Information on your rights as a domestic worker or live-in home worker. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

• Know Your Rights: Pregnancy and Work

  The Healthy Starts Act is a new Washington State law that gives many pregnant workers the right to accommodations at work related to bathroom breaks, food and drink, heavy lifting, sitting/standing, and other accommodations as needed. “Accommodation” here means a change to your workday that you have asked for to allow for physical needs while you are pregnant. ​ Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

• Leave from Work for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking

  Washington State has a law that allows employees to take time off from work to address domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Read this memo to learn more about your rights. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese / 中文

• Sexual Harassment at Work

  Sexual harassment at work is a serious problem. It can make workers less productive. It can increase employee absenteeism and turnover. And it can hurt the health and well being of workers. Sexual harassment is not about sex. It is the harasser being hostile toward the victim or abusing power over the victim because of the victim’s gender. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

• Video - Your Rights Under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

  This video describes your rights under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. These are federal laws, so they are true for every state. Read More

  By:

  Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Workers' Rights

  Learn about health and safety, wage laws, required breaks for meals and rest, overtime and exemptions. Read More

  By:

  Department of Labor & Industries

• Work Injuries and Your Rights

  Workers in Washington State who are injured on the job or who suffer an occupational disease have the right to receive workers' compensation for their injury or illness. This is true whether or not a worker has legal work documents or is an undocumented worker. #2608EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Your Rights and Responsibilities as an Employee in Washington State

  Detailed information about employment rights in Washington state. #2908EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Employee Rights - Criminal Records (1)+

• Employee Background Checks

  When you're applying for a job and the employer requires a background check, you have rights — and the employer has rules to follow. Before you complete the application or go on the interview, know what the company legally can and cannot do. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

H-2A Workers (1)+

• Video Series - H-2A Guest Workers in Washington State

  Know your rights and responsibilities as a guest worker in the state of Washington under the H-2A program. Read More

  By:

  Labor & Industries - Washington State

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Paid Leave (3)+

• About Paid Family & Medical Leave

  Starting in 2020, Washington will be the fifth state in the nation to offer paid family and medical leave benefits to workers. Read More

  By:

  Employment Security Department WA State

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Video - Paid Family and Medical Leave in Washington State

  Short video covering the new family and medical leave options in Washington state. Read More

  By:

  momsrising.org

• Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave

  Workers in Washington state can now start to apply for paid leave! Learn about when and how you can get paid leave. Read More

  By:

  Employment Security Department WA State

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Scams (1)+

• Work at Home Businesses

  When money's tight, work-at-home opportunities can sound like just the thing to make ends meet. Some even promise a refund if you don't succeed. But the reality is many of these jobs are scams. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

When You've Lost Your Job (2)+

• I Lost My Job. Do I Have Rights?

  Lost your job? You may have some legal rights. This will help you understand whether your termination was illegal, whether your employer owes you anything, whether you owe your employer anything and how to assert your rights. #2102EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

• Job Retaliation

  Most employment in Washington State is "at will." Your employer usually can fire you at will for any reason, or for no reason. There are exceptions to this rule. The employer may not fire you in retaliation for exercising your legal rights as an employee. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project