By: Brian | January 7, 2025 | News
Every employee in Washington has certain legal rights when it comes to their pay and their ability to take time off from work when they’re sick. And with the passing of a few new laws, workers now have expanded protections.If you’re facing unpaid wages or any other type of violation of your rights as a worker, Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Will the Minimum Wage Be in Washington in 2025?
With the passage of the new laws, Washington State’s minimum was was increased to:
- $16.66 an hour.
This represents an over 2% increase in the minimum wage, which was previously set at $16.28 an hour. Even prior to the increase, Washington had the single highest minimum wage in the entire country.
Expanded Sick Leave
Along with the minimum wage increase, the state legislature also passed SB 5793, which expands sick leave for workers. Now, employers in Washington must provide workers with:
- 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
Employees can use it for personal or family illness, medical care, or emergencies like school or business closures.
Sick leave becomes available after 90 days of employment and can roll over, up to 40 hours each year. Employers are also required to keep employees informed about their sick leave balance.
What Happens If My Employer Doesn’t Follow the New Laws?
The passing of these (and other) laws gives you a lot of different benefits if you’re a worker in Washington. In that regard, it’s fairly easy to see how these laws will impact you. It’s also easy to see how the new laws will impact employers–namely it puts added responsibility on them to pay and treat you fairly.
So, what happens if your employer doesn’t follow the law? At that point, you’ll have certain rights and options, namely the ability to file a claim and recover any pay you missed out on–among other financial support. To do this, you can:
- File an administrative claim with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I.) They’ll investigate what happened, and if they find that your employer violated your rights, they can order them to give you any unpaid minimum wages or any missed pay you should have received based on sick leave.
- If you’re satisfied with the L&I complaint, the process is over. But you can also file a lawsuit against your employer in civil court. This will allow you present your case to a judge and potentially a jury, where they’ll decide if you’re owed “damages” like:
- Unpaid or lost wages (with interest)
- Extra damages (sometimes doubling the unpaid wages)
- Compensation for missed meal or rest breaks
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
- Attorneys’ fees
- Emotional distress damages
Remember, you have three years from the date of the unpaid wage or other violation to file in Washington.Once you decide to move forward, you can turn to our experienced team for guidance and support.
Contact Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers About Unpaid Wages in Washington
When you face a situation where you aren’t being paid correctly, it’s incredibly demoralizing. Like most workers in Washington, you rely on your job to provide for your family. When your employer doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do under the law, our team at Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers can help you by:
• Explaining wage and hour laws and your legal options in clear terms.
• Collecting key documents like pay stubs, timesheets, and contracts to back your claim.
• Fighting for a fair settlement with your employer or their legal team.
• Representing you in the claims process with the L&I or in a lawsuit.
• Protecting you against retaliation.
You don’t have to go through this alone. While you can file a claim without legal help, the process can be overwhelming. Our team is here to ease the burden, protect your rights, and hold your employer accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation if you have unpaid wages in Washington.
