http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free Washington Labor and Employment legal forms and free Washington Labor and Employment legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/am-i-entitled-to-be-paid-for-unused-vacation.html Vacation pay, holiday pay, sick leave, and severance pay are considered benefits and may be paid based on the employer's policies. There is no requirement in state law to provide these benefits. If you feel you are entitled to benefits upon termination, you may pursue recovery in small claims court or through a private attorney. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:27:25 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/am-i-entitled-to-receive-damages-penalties-fr.html L&I cannot assess penalties for failure to pay final wages. However, if you have to take legal action to get your wages, you may file in civil court for double damages. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/can-a-supervisor-change-the-hours-recorded-on.html Employers must pay employees for all hours worked. It is not legal for a supervisor to change your timecard if you have worked the hours. If you suspect this is happening, you need to bring it up, ask to be paid for all hours worked, and keep personal records at home so you can verify your work hours. If the problem continues, you may file a complaint with L&I, or if you quit the job and weren't paid for all hours worked, you may file a wage claim. (See "Termination Wages" section for more information about filing a wage claim.) Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/can-an-employer-withhold-a-final-paycheck-unt.html Legally, no, an employer may not withhold a final check. However, in order to avoid disputes or disruptions in pay, workers are advised to turn in keys, uniforms, tools, and equipment promptly upon termination. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/how-can-i-find-out-if-a-contractor-is-registe.html Call 1&shy;800&shy;647&shy;0982. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/how-can-i-make-sure-my-business-the-place-i-w.html You can call our toll&shy;free line, 1&shy;800&shy;423&shy;7233. You also can contact one of our 22 offices around the state. We're listed in most phone books. The Thurston County office is at the Labor and Industries building at 7273 Linderson Way S.W. in Tumwater, 360&shy;902&shy;5799. We provide technical assistance to employers and employees. We also investigate worker safety and health complaints. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/how-frequently-must-employees-be-paid.html Employers must pay employees on regular established paydays at no longer than monthly intervals. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/how-soon-does-an-employer-have-to-give-an-emp.html Termination wages are due to the employee on the next regularly scheduled payday regardless of whether the employee quit or was fired. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/i-didnt-get-my-final-paycheck-what-can-i-do.html The first thing to do is ask the employer why you haven't received your final check. If the employer refuses to give you your final check, you may choose one of three options to obtain your wages: <ul> <li>Obtain the services of a private attorney. <li>File a claim in small claims court (for up to $4,000). <li>File a wage claim with L&I (if your claim is under $5,000). </ul> The wage claim form is available at any of L&I's 22 statewide offices. Read the information provided with the form, fill it out and return it to L&I. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/i-suspect-my-former-employer-is-giving-bad-re.html There are no state regulations addressing references. Therefore, L&I cannot accept complaints. You may wish to consult with an attorney regarding civil recourse. Why do I have to pay for industrial insurance? Washington State requires that all employees be covered by industrial insurance. Premiums paid by employers and workers pay for medical care for job&shy;related injuries and illnesses, and wage replacement when the injury or illness is serious enough to miss work. The system, in place since 1911, provides prompt payment to injured workers and protects employers from litigation. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/i-was-fired-from-my-job-for-no-good-reason-is.html Yes. Washington is what's called an "at will" state. Employers may hire and fire "at will." There are no laws regarding termination, so employers are not required to give warnings or follow any particular steps. If you want or need to know the reason for discharge, you may send a written request asking the employer for a signed written statement of the reason for your discharge and the effective date. Employers are required to respond to the request in writing within 10 days. You also have the option of seeking civil recourse through a private attorney for wrongful termination. If you think you were fired as a result of unlawful discrimination, you may wish to consult with the Human Rights Commission. Here are some toll&shy;free phone numbers to the HRC: Olympia&shy;Western Washington: 1&shy;800&shy;233&shy;3247<br> Seattle/Western Washington: 1&shy;800&shy;605&shy;7324<br> Yakima/Eastern Washington: 1&shy;800&shy;662&shy;2755 Another option, if you allege discrimination based on a violation of federal civil&shy;rights laws, is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For a toll&shy;free connection to the nearest EEOC office, call 1&shy;800&shy;669&shy;4000. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:23:09 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/if-i-report-to-work-and-my-employer-sends-me.html There is no requirement for "show&shy;up" pay. Employees must be paid for actual hours worked. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/is-an-employer-required-to-pay-time-and-one-h.html Overtime or premium pay is not required for working on holidays or weekends unless those hours are in excess of 40 for the workweek. Holiday pay is a benefit that may be paid at the employer's discretion. Overtime is based on actual hours worked. Even though the total hours (work hours plus holiday, vacation, or sick pay) for the week might exceed 40, overtime pay is not required unless an employee actually worked more than 40 hours. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/is-it-legal-to-require-direct-deposit.html Yes, it is legal to require direct deposit, as long as there is no cost to the employee. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/is-there-a-limit-to-the-number-of-hours-an-em.html There are no laws limiting the number of hours adult employees may be required to work. (See "Overtime Pay" section for information about working more than 40 hours in a week.) There are limitations on the number of work hours for minors (under the age of 18). Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/my-employer-has-not-paid-me-all-the-commissio.html If you were not paid minimum wage and overtime correctly for the hours you worked, you may be able to file a wage claim through L&I. However, L&I has no jurisdiction over commissions, percentages, or bonuses in excess of the minimum wage requirements. You may pursue your claim in small claims court or through the services of a private attorney. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/my-employer-promised-a-raise-after-six-months.html An employer must pay the agreed wage until such time that a new rate is agreed upon. Once you and your employer have specifically discussed and agreed upon a new rate, it is considered the &quot;agreed wage.&quot; L&amp;I does not have jurisdiction over promised raises. However, you may pursue your claim through small claims court or a private attorney. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/my-employer-told-me-to-report-to-work-at-a-ce.html No, it is not legal to require you to wait on the premises. You must be paid for all "hours worked," which includes time you are required to be on the premises at the employer's request. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-are-the-rest-break-and-meal-period-requi.html unpaid time, and which begins no less than two hours nor more than five hours from the beginning of the shift. If workers are required to remain on duty during the meal period, the time must be paid. Workers are entitled to at least a 10&shy;minute rest break for each four hours worked. Employees may waive their meal period if they prefer to work through it and if the employer agrees. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-can-i-do-to-minimize-the-cost-of-workers.html By maintaining a safe, injury&shy;free workplace. You can do this by developing an on&shy;going and effective safety program at your place of business. This program could include: <ul> <li>Hiring policies that ensure a worker is fit to do the job he or she is hired for. <li>Regular employee safety training dealing with such things as the proper use of equipment and how to identify and deal with potential hazards. <li>Clearly written and displayed workplace safety and health rules. <li>Incentive programs that promote and reinforce workplace safety. <li>Careful monitoring of your claims to make sure the system isn't being abused. </ul> Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-deductions-may-my-employer-make-from-my.html In general, deductions from wages are lawful only under the following conditions: <ul> <li>The employer is required to do so by law &shy; for example, federal and state taxes, Social Security, workers' compensation, or a garnishment order. <li>The employee has authorized the deduction in writing and the deduction is for the employee's benefit. <li>Deductions from an employee's final check (other than those stated above) may be agreed upon orally or in writing. If the final deduction is not to the employee's benefit, it may not take the employee's gross wages below minimum wage. </ul> Employers must furnish itemized pay statements to each employee at the time of payment of wages showing all deductions for the pay period, as well as the pay basis, rate or rates of pay, and gross wages. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-does-it-mean-that-a-contractor-is-regist.html It means that the contractor has a business license and insurance and is bonded and has paid a registration fee to the department. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-happens-after-i-file-a-wage-claim-with-l.html Your wage claim will be reviewed for completeness and to make sure L&I has jurisdiction. You may be asked to provide additional information and/or evidence to support your claim. Once your claim is accepted, a letter (notice of claim) will be sent to your former employer. If the employer disputes your claim, you have the option of taking legal action on your own behalf. L&I cannot guarantee collection. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-is-the-difference-between-state-and-fede.html Most Washington employers are subject to both federal and state minimum wage and overtime laws. The effect of this dual coverage is that the employer must follow the higher standard, meaning the one most beneficial to the employee, when there are differing requirements in the laws. For example, since state law currently requires a higher minimum wage rate than federal, all Washington employers must pay the state rate. Exception: State minimum wage does not apply to work performed on federal land. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-is-the-status-of-my-workers-compensatio.html L&I manages over 170,000 workers' compensation claims each year. Each claim has a number and is assigned to a claims manager. The injured worker will be notified shortly after a claim is filed as to what that number is and how to contact the claims manager. Because of the volume of claims, we can't always answer questions as quickly as we'd like. You eventually will be able to get your answers on&shy;line. But for now, L&I maintains a toll&shy;free number for questions about claims (1&shy;800&shy;831&shy;5227). Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-is-wisha.html WISHA is an acronym for a state law called the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act. This law sets up a system for protecting worker health and safety. Safety standards are established for the wide variety of workplaces and occupations in our state. L&I provides technical assistance to employers and employees to foster a safe and healthful workplace environment. Enforcement inspections also take place and employers can be penalized for violations of workplace safety and health standards. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-would-be-an-allowable-workers-compensati.html The program pays the cost of work&shy;related injuries and health problems. This includes all medical costs (doctors, prescription drugs, hospital expenses, etc.). On claims where the injury or illness causes an employee to miss more than three days of work, L&I also provides partial wage replacement. Depending on the severity and nature of the injury, workers' compensation benefits may also include money for vocational rehabilitation services, partial disability payments, disability pensions and survivor benefits for the families of workers killed on the job. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/what-is-the-minimum-wage-in-washington-.html L&amp;I enforces the state's minimum wage law. The minimum wage is $8.55 per hour. The state's minimum wage is recalculated each year in September as a result of an initiative approved by voters in 1998. It tied the minimum wage to changes in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI&shy;W). For the 12 months ending August 2002, the nationwide CPI&shy;W increased 1.6 percent over August 2001. Therefore, Washington's current minimum wage for 2002 of $6.90 will increase 1.6 percent in 2003, to $7.01. The new wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non&shy;agricultural jobs. Fourteen&shy; and 15&shy;year&shy;olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/when-is-overtime-pay-required-under-washingto.html Most employees are entitled to be paid time and one&shy;half their regular rate of pay for any time worked over 40 hours in a seven&shy;day workweek. There are some exceptions, however. Agricultural workers are generally exempt from overtime. Executives, administrators, and professionals who are paid on a salary basis are exempt from overtime. (Salaried workers who do not meet the definition of executive, administrative, or professional must be paid overtime in addition to their salary.) Commissioned sales people are covered by special exceptions. Please contact L&I at 360&shy;902&shy;5316 for more information on the exceptions from overtime. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Employment/Washington/who-decides-how-much-i-have-to-pay-for-indust.html The Department of Labor and Industries sets the rate, but what you pay is based on the accident and illness rates in your industry&shy;specific job and your company's claims history. Rates vary widely, depending on how risky a job is. For example, the rate for a few select jobs in the logging industry exceeds $10 per hour. For less risky clerical workers, the rate is as low as 11 cents for every hour worked. Rates within a particular industry will vary depending on the frequency and cost of workers' compensation claims filed by a particular company. Washington Labor and Employment FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Age-Discrimination-in-Employment-Act-ADEA/Washington/index.html Free Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-ADA/Washington/index.html Free Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Background-Checks/Washington/index.html Free Background Checks FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Civil-Rights-Act-of-1964-Title-VII/Washington/index.html Free Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Cobra/Washington/index.html Free Cobra Insurance FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Disability-Law/Washington/index.html Free Disability Law FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Drug-Tests/Washington/index.html Free Drug Tests FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/EEO-1-Report/Washington/index.html Free EEO-1 Report FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/EEOC-Violations-and-Investigation/Washington/index.html Free EEOC Violations & Investigation FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Employee-Retirement-Income-Security-Act-ERISA/Washington/index.html Free Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Discrimination-Employment/Washington/index.html Free Employment Discrimination FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Fair-Labor-Standards-Act-FLSA/Washington/index.html Free Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Family-Medical-Leave-Act-FMLA/Washington/index.html Free Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Labor-Management-Relations-Act-LMRA/Washington/index.html Free Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Occupational-Safety-and-Health-Act-OSHA/Washington/index.html Free Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Rehabilitation-Act-of-1973/Washington/index.html Free Rehabilitation Act of 1973 FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Sexual-Harassment-HR/Washington/index.html Free Sexual Harassment FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Wages-and-Hours/Washington/index.html Free Wages and Hours FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/WrongfulTermination/Washington/index.html Free Wrongful Termination FAQs Labor and Employment Sub-categories Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:47 GMT