(1) It is unlawful for an employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of any employee right provided under or in connection with chapter
49.46 RCW. This means an employer may not use an employee's exercise of any of the rights provided under chapter
49.46 RCW as a negative factor in any employment action such as evaluation, promotion, or termination, or otherwise subject an employee to discipline for the exercise of any rights provided under chapter
49.46 RCW.
(2) It is unlawful for an employer to adopt or enforce any policy that counts the use of paid sick leave for a purpose authorized under RCW
49.46.210 (1)(b) and (c) as an absence that may lead to or result in discipline by the employer against the employee.
(3) It is unlawful for an employer to take any adverse action against an employee because the employee has exercised their rights provided under chapter
49.46 RCW. Such rights include, but are not limited to: Filing an action, or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding under or related to chapter
49.46 RCW; exercising their right to paid sick leave, minimum wage, overtime, tips and gratuities; or testifying or intending to testify in any such proceeding related to any rights provided under chapter
49.46 RCW.
(4) Adverse action means any action taken or threatened by an employer against an employee for their exercise of chapter
49.46 RCW rights, which may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Denying use of, or delaying payment for, paid sick leave, minimum wages, overtime wages, all tips and gratuities, and all service charges, except those service charges itemized as not being payable to the employee or employees servicing the customer;
(b) Terminating, suspending, demoting, or denying a promotion;
(c) Reducing the number of work hours for which the employee is scheduled;
(d) Altering the employee's preexisting work schedule;
(e) Reducing the employee's rate of pay; and
(f) Threatening to take, or taking action, based upon the immigration status of an employee or an employee's family member.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.46.810. WSR 17-21-092, § 296-128-770, filed 10/17/17, effective 1/1/18.]