Washington Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Protecting Employees from Unlawful Discrimination

At Crosner Legal, we represent Washington employees who have been treated unfairly because of who they are. Washington has some of the strongest employee protection laws in the country. The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), RCW 49.60, prohibits discrimination in employment and applies broadly to employers across the state.

Workplace discrimination is illegal in both public and private employment. Whether you work for a city, county, school district, state agency, or private company, you have legal protections. Employers cannot make decisions about hiring, firing, discipline, promotions, compensation, or workplace conditions based on protected characteristics.

Even in an “at-will” employment state like Washington, an employer cannot terminate or discipline an employee for discriminatory reasons.

If you believe you were treated differently because of a protected characteristic, you may have a valid legal claim.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer takes an adverse employment action against an employee or job applicant because of a legally protected characteristic.

Adverse actions may include:

• Termination or layoff

• Demotion or failure to promote

• Unequal pay or denial of raises

• Unfair discipline

• Reduction in hours or job responsibilities

• Refusal to hire

• Denial of benefits or training opportunities

Discrimination can be overt and intentional, or it can be subtle and systemic. In some cases, employers apply neutral policies in a way that disproportionately harms protected groups.

Protected Classes Under Washington Law

The Washington Law Against Discrimination protects employees from discrimination based on:

• Race

• Color

• National origin or ancestry

• Sex

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Gender identity or expression

• Sexual orientation

• Age (40 and over)

• Disability (physical, mental, or sensory)

• Religion or creed

• Marital status

• Military or veteran status

• Use of a trained service animal

• Citizenship or immigration status (in certain contexts)

Washington law is often broader than federal law and may provide stronger remedies and fewer employer exemptions.

Failure to Accommodate

Discrimination also includes an employer’s failure to provide reasonable accommodations for:

• Disabilities

• Pregnancy-related conditions

• Religious practices

Employers must engage in a good-faith interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Failure to engage in this process may itself violate the law.

Public Sector Employment Discrimination

Washington public employers including cities, counties, and state agencies must comply with WLAD and additional civil service and anti-bias requirements. Public employees may also have constitutional or due process protections depending on their position.

If you are a public employee facing discrimination, your case may involve administrative procedures, internal grievance systems, or civil service appeals in addition to discrimination claims.

Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination is not limited to termination or demotion. A hostile work environment exists when discriminatory conduct is severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment.

Examples include:

• Repeated racial slurs or offensive comments

• Derogatory jokes about religion or ethnicity

• Persistent gender-based harassment

• Mocking a disability

• Offensive graffiti, emails, or images

Employers may be liable if they knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take corrective action.

Retaliation for Complaining About Discrimination

It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for:

• Reporting discrimination internally

• Filing a complaint with HR

• Filing a charge with the Washington Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) or EEOC

• Participating in an investigation

• Supporting a coworker’s discrimination claim

Retaliation can include termination, demotion, negative performance reviews, or other adverse actions. In many cases, retaliation claims are filed alongside discrimination claims.

How Crosner Legal Can Help?

If you believe you have been treated unfairly at work, a Washington workplace discrimination lawyer at Crosner Legal can evaluate your case and protect your rights under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) and federal employment laws.

We help employees:

• Determine whether their employer’s actions violate Washington discrimination laws

• File complaints with the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

• Gather evidence to support a discrimination or retaliation claim

• Negotiate settlements for lost wages and damages

• Pursue litigation when necessary

Employers often have legal teams defending their decisions. Our job is to advocate for you and seek full compensation for lost income, emotional distress, and other damages allowed under Washington law.

If you are searching for an experienced employment discrimination attorney in Washington, Crosner Legal is ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are protected classes in Washington?

Washington law protects employees based on race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age (40+), disability, marital status, military status, and more under the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

How long do I have to file a discrimination claim?

Deadlines vary. Administrative filings with agencies often must be made within months of the discriminatory act, while lawsuits in court may have longer filing windows. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Can I sue even if I’m an at-will employee?

Yes. “At-will” employment does not allow employers to terminate someone for discriminatory reasons.Do I need a lawyer for an appeal?

Do small employers have to follow discrimination laws?

Yes. In Washington, WLAD applies to employers with 8 or more employees, and federal laws may apply to larger employers. Certain protections may apply regardless of size.How long does it take to get unemployment?

What if I don’t have direct proof?

Direct evidence is rare. Discrimination cases are often proven through patterns, comparative evidence, timing, and employer inconsistencies. An attorney can help evaluate the strength of your evidence.

Can I recover emotional distress damages?

Yes. Washington law allows recovery for emotional distress in discrimination cases.