What rights do I have if I am retaliated against?

In Washington, whistleblowers are protected by state and federal laws. These laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who make good faith reports of illegal activity, waste, fraud, or abuse. If a Washington employer does take retaliatory action against an employee who has reported such misconduct, the employee may be entitled to certain protections. Under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), employees are protected from any retaliation because of their involvement in a discrimination complaint or investigation. Whistleblowers may also be protected under the Public Employee Whistleblower Protection Act, which prohibits employers from taking negative action against workers who report illegal or dangerous activities. In addition to these laws, the Washington State constitution provides additional whistleblower protections. It states that whistleblowers should not suffer “any form of retaliation” for reporting malfeasance in government offices. If an employer does retaliate against an employee, the employee may take legal action. For example, the employee can file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The employee can also pursue a civil lawsuit in a Washington State court. In addition, employees may be eligible for compensation for lost wages, attorney’s fees, and other damages. Employees may also be able to seek reinstatement and back pay if their job was wrongfully terminated. Overall, whistleblowers in Washington have several legal protections if they are retaliated against. These protections are designed to encourage employees to report illegal or unethical behavior in their workplace, and to ensure that those who do so are not punished for doing the right thing.

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What rights do I have if I am retaliated against?

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