Crosner Legal has initiated arbitration proceedings against a major tire retail chain on behalf of a technician allegedly fired for exercising his rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The action also challenges the company’s use of non-competition agreements for hourly workers.
The demand for arbitration alleges that the employee was subjected to a hostile work environment and ultimately terminated after requesting intermittent leave to care for his child, who suffers from serious medical conditions. The action further alleges that the retailer required the low-wage technician to sign a non-competition agreement, which is void and unenforceable under Washington’s recent non-compete laws (RCW 49.62) for employees earning below specific income thresholds.
Why This Matters: Washington law provides robust protections for working parents and restricts the use of non-compete agreements that limit a worker’s ability to find new employment. This action seeks to hold employers accountable for retaliatory firing and illegal contract practices.