What happens if an employee breaches their contract?

When an employee breaches their contract in Washington, the consequences depend on the type of contract that was breached. For example, a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a contract between an employer and a labor union that outlines wages, benefits, working hours, and other stipulations. If an employee breaches their CBA, the employer can bring a grievance action against the union, which can lead to disciplinary action, including termination. In addition, Washington is an “at will” employment state, which means an employee can be terminated for any reason that does not conflict with law or public code. If an employee breaches their “at will” contract, their employer can terminate them without issue. If an employee breaches their employment contract, the consequences may vary. Depending on the language of the contract, the employer may be able to claim damages, sue for back pay, or be able to terminate the employee without issue. It is important to note that, if the breach is of a material term, such as an agreed-upon salary or job duties, the employer may be able to terminate the employee, even if the contract is not “at will.” In summary, if an employee in Washington breaches their contract, the consequences depend on what type of contract was breached, the language of the contract, and the consequences of the breach. In some cases, the employer may be able to terminate the employee without issue; in other cases, the employee may be liable for damages or back pay.

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What happens if an employee breaches their contract?

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