In a major victory for workplace rights, the State of Washington settled a retaliation and discrimination lawsuit for $2.5 million with Renee, a former manager in the Department of Corrections' Sex Offender Treatment and Assessment Program (SOTAP). The case, handled by Spokane employment lawyers Heather and Jed Barden of Barden & Barden PLLC, resolved just before trial in Spokane Superior Court after nearly four years of litigation. 

Renee's claims stemmed from her report of threatening behavior by a subordinate, leading to her reassignment and isolation from her team for over a year. Despite the subordinate's quick resignation, Renee was the only employee moved, while others involved stayed in place. The lawsuit highlighted a "sham" investigation and a humiliating March 2019 meeting where Director Karen allegedly compared Renee to a sex offender and questioned her mental health publicly. 

The emotional impact led Renee to take FMLA leave and resign. Her attorneys argued the Department's actions constituted retaliation and discrimination, especially given her mental health disclosures and her replacement by a male subordinate with policy violations. 

This $2.5 million dollar settlement underscores Barden & Barden's expertise as leading workplace retaliation lawyers in Spokane, adding to their track record of multimillion-dollar employment discrimination settlements in Washington.