What is the first step in filing a wrongful termination case?

The first step in filing a wrongful termination case in Washington is to consider the circumstances surrounding the termination and determine if it was done unfairly. Employees should consider whether their termination was based on any legally-protected characteristics (such as age, race, gender, disability, or religion) or if it was in retaliation for engaging in activity protected by law (such as whistleblowing). If so, then the employee may have grounds to file a wrongful termination complaint. Once the employee has determined that a wrongful termination has occurred, they should contact an attorney to assist them in filing a complaint. An attorney should provide guidance on the best course of action and answer any questions the employee may have. After this, the employee can file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission. The employee will need to provide evidence of their termination and the discrimination that occurred. This can include copies of emails, written notes, or contact information for other employees that may have witnessed the discrimination. Once the complaint is filed, the Human Rights Commission will investigate the claim and may require additional evidence from the employer before rendering a decision. In some cases, the commission may offer to mediate a settlement between the employer and employee before deciding on the outcome of the case. If the employee is unsatisfied with the decision of the commission or does not receive a satisfactory outcome, they can proceed to file a lawsuit with the court of law. An attorney should be consulted before taking this step.

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