Are employers allowed to pay employees differently based on gender or race?

No, employers in Washington are not allowed to pay employees differently based on gender or race. The state of Washington has laws in place that prohibit wage discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. This means that employers are not allowed to pay employees differently based on any of these factors, and any differences in pay must be based on factors that are objectively related to the job, such as education or experience. Additionally, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers who report violations of wage and hour law. This means that an employer cannot fire or otherwise punish an employee for filing a complaint against them for violating wage and hour law. It is also illegal for an employer to try to hide wage and hour violations, such as by misclassifying employees as independent contractors or by failing to keep accurate records of the time worked. Violations of wage and hour law can result in steep financial penalties for the employer. Overall, employers in Washington must comply with the state’s wage and hour laws, and are not allowed to pay employees differently based on gender, race, or any other protected factor.

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Are employers allowed to pay employees differently based on gender or race?

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