What Washington Employees Need to Know About At-Will Employment
Most employees in Washington have heard the phrase “at-will employment,” but many are unsure what it actually means. Some workers mistakenly believe that employers can fire employees for any reason whatsoever. Others assume that any termination they believe is unfair automatically gives them a legal claim. The truth lies somewhere in between. While Washington is an at-will employment state, employers do not have unlimited power when it comes to firing employees. Numerous federal and state laws protect workers from wrongful termination, and understanding these protections can help employees recognize when a termination crosses the line from lawful to unlawful. What Is At-Will Employment in Washington? Under Washington’s at-will employment doctrine, employers generally have the right to terminate an employee at
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Working Through Your Break Could Be Costing You Money: How Missed Meal and Rest Breaks Can Lead to Unpaid Overtime in Washington
Many employees in Seattle and throughout Washington assume that if they skip lunch, eat at their desk, or continue responding to emails during a break, they’re simply “working hard.” But under Washington law, working through a meal or rest break can have serious wage and hour implications – including unpaid overtime claims. For employees who regularly work through breaks, those extra minutes and hours can add up quickly. In some cases, workers may be owed significant backpay. Washington Employers Must Provide Meal and Rest Breaks Washington has strong worker protections when it comes to breaks. In most industries, non-exempt employees are generally entitled to: A paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked, and An unpaid 30-minute meal break
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