Wrongful termination in Washington State

Wrongful Termination in Washington State provides exceptions to the "at-will" doctrine that employees can be fired for any reason. Washington courts have generally recognized a public policy exception when an employer terminates an employee based on:

• Refusal to commit an illegal act
• Performance of a public duty or obligation (e.g., jury duty)
• Exercise of a legal right or privilege (e.g., filing a worker's compensation claim, unionizing for better terms of employment, public employee filing an unfair labor practice against a public employer)
• Retaliation for reporting employer misconduct (e.g., whistleblowing--reporting your employer to a state or federal agency (L&I, DSHS, OSHA/WISHA, etc.))
• Discrimination or retaliation that resulted in termination when the employer employs less than 8 employees

If you believe your employer has wrongfully terminated you in violation of public policy and would like to discuss your case further, please contact us.