reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.085 - Wage complaints—Employee termination of administrative action.

RCW 49.48.085
Wage complaints—Employee termination of administrative action.
(1) An employee who has filed a wage complaint with the department may elect to terminate the department's administrative action, thereby preserving any private right of action, by providing written notice to the department within ten business days after the employee's receipt of the department's citation and notice of assessment.
(2) If the employee elects to terminate the department's administrative action: (a) The department shall immediately discontinue its action against the employer; (b) the department shall vacate a citation and notice of assessment already issued by the department to the employer; and (c) the citation and notice of assessment, and any related findings of fact or conclusions of law by the department, and any payment or offer of payment by the employer of the wages, including interest, assessed by the department in the citation and notice of assessment, shall not be admissible in any court action or other judicial or administrative proceeding.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or affect: (a) The right of any employee to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employer; (b) the right of the department to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employee that is identified as a result of a wage complaint; or (c) the right of the department to pursue any judicial, administrative, or other action available with respect to an employer in the absence of a wage complaint. For purposes of this subsection, "employee" means an employee other than an employee who has filed a wage complaint with the department and who thereafter has elected to terminate the department's administrative action as provided in subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2006 c 89 § 4.]
NOTES:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.087 - Rules.

RCW 49.48.087
Rules.
The director may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of RCW 49.48.082 through 49.48.086.
[ 2006 c 89 § 6.]
NOTES:
Captions not law—2006 c 89: See note following RCW 49.48.082.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.090 - Assignment of wages—Requisites to validity.

RCW 49.48.090
Assignment of wages—Requisites to validity.
No assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future to secure a loan of less than three hundred dollars, shall be valid against an employer of the person making said assignment or order unless said assignment or order is accepted in writing by the employer, and said assignment or order, and the acceptance of the same, have been filed and recorded with the county auditor of the county where the party making said assignment or order resides, if a resident of the state, or in which he or she is employed, if not a resident of the state.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12051; 1909 c 32 § 1; RRS § 7597.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.100 - Written consent of spouse required.

RCW 49.48.100
Written consent of spouse required.
No assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future shall be valid, when made by a married person, unless the written consent of the other spouse to the making of such assignment or order is attached thereto.
[ 1972 ex.s. c 108 § 7; 1909 c 32 § 2; RRS § 7598.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.115 - Employer defined.

RCW 49.48.115
Employer defined.
For the purposes of RCW 49.48.120 the word "employer" shall include every person, firm, partnership, corporation, the state of Washington, and all municipal corporations.
[ 1939 c 139 § 1; RRS § 1464-1. Formerly RCW 49.48.120, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.120 - Payment on employee's death.

RCW 49.48.120
Payment on employee's death.
(1) If at the time of the death of any person, his or her employer is indebted to him or her for work, labor, and services performed, and no executor or administrator of his or her estate has been appointed, the employer shall upon the request of the surviving spouse pay the indebtedness in an amount as may be due not exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars, to the surviving spouse, or if the decedent leaves no surviving spouse, then to the decedent's child or children, or if no children, then to the decedent's father or mother.
(2) In the event the decedent's employer is the state of Washington or a municipal corporation, as defined in RCW 39.50.010, then there shall be no limit to the amount of the indebtedness that can be paid under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) If the decedent and the surviving spouse have entered into a community property agreement that meets the requirements of RCW 26.16.120, and the right to the indebtedness became the sole property of the surviving spouse upon the death of the decedent, the employer shall pay to the surviving spouse the total of the indebtedness, or that portion which is governed by the community property agreement, upon presentation of the agreement accompanied by an affidavit or declaration of the surviving spouse stating that the agreement was executed in good faith between the parties and had not been rescinded by the parties before the decedent's death.
(4) In all cases, the employer shall require proof of the claimant's relationship to the decedent by affidavit or declaration, and shall require the claimant to acknowledge receipt of the payment in writing.
(5) Any payments made by an employer pursuant to the provisions of RCW 49.48.115 and this section shall operate as a full and complete discharge of the employer's indebtedness to the extent of the payment, and no employer shall thereafter be liable to the decedent's estate, or the decedent's executor or administrator thereafter appointed.
(6) The employer may also pay the indebtedness upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in RCW 11.62.010.
[ 2019 c 89 § 1; 2018 c 57 § 1; 2003 c 122 § 1; 1981 c 333 § 2; 1974 ex.s. c 117 § 42; 1967 c 210 § 1; 1939 c 139 § 2; RRS § 1464-2. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1939 c 139 § 1; RRS § 1464-1 now codified as RCW 49.48.115.]
NOTES:
Application, construction—Severability—Effective date—1974 ex.s. c 117: See RCW 11.02.080 and notes following.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.125 - Repeat willful violators—Civil penalties.

RCW 49.48.125
Repeat willful violators—Civil penalties.
(1) The department shall assess a civil penalty against any repeat willful violator in an amount of not less than one thousand dollars or an amount equal to ten percent of the total amount of unpaid wages, whichever is greater. The maximum civil penalty for a repeat willful violator under this section is twenty thousand dollars.
(2) The department may waive or reduce a civil penalty assessed under this section if the director determines that the employer has paid all wages and interest owed to the employee.
[ 2010 c 42 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.150 - Sales representatives—Definitions.

RCW 49.48.150
Sales representatives—Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 49.48.160 through 49.48.190.
(1) "Commission" means compensation paid a sales representative by a principal in an amount based on a percentage of the dollar amount of certain orders for or sales of the principal's product. Commission includes bonus payments under an incentive compensation plan or other agreement between a principal and sales representative.
(2) "Principal" means a person, whether or not the person has a permanent or fixed place of business in this state, who:
(a) Manufactures, produces, imports, or distributes a product for sale to customers who purchase the product for resale;
(b) Uses a sales representative to solicit orders for the product; and
(c) Compensates the sales representative in whole or in part by commission.
(3) "Sales representative" means a person who solicits, on behalf of a principal, orders for the purchase at wholesale of the principal's product, but does not include a person who places orders for his or her own account for resale, or purchases for his or her own account for resale, or sells or takes orders for the direct sale of products to the ultimate consumer.
[ 2020 c 84 § 1; 2010 c 8 § 12052; 1992 c 177 § 1.]
NOTES:
Severability—1992 c 177: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1992 c 177 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.160 - Sales representatives—Contract—Agreement.

RCW 49.48.160
Sales representatives—Contract—Agreement.
(1) A contract between a principal and a sales representative under which the sales representative is to solicit wholesale orders within this state must be in writing and must set forth the method by which the sales representative's commission is to be computed and paid. The principal shall provide the sales representative with a copy of the contract. A provision in the contract establishing venue for an action arising under the contract in a state other than this state, or establishing conditions for payment of a commission contrary to the provisions of this section, is void.
(2) When no written contract has been entered into, any agreement between a sales representative and a principal is deemed to incorporate the provisions of RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190.
(3)(a) During the course of the contract, a sales representative shall be paid the earned commission and all other moneys earned or payable in accordance with the agreed terms of the contract, but no later than thirty days after receipt of payment by the principal for products or goods sold on behalf of the principal by the sales representative.
(b) Upon termination of a contract, whether or not the agreement is in writing, all earned commissions due to the sales representative shall be paid within thirty days after receipt of payment by the principal for products or goods sold on behalf of the principal by the sales representative, including earned commissions not due when the contract is terminated.
(c) Where a sales representative's efforts prior to termination of a contract results in a sale, regardless of when the sale occurs, the termination may not affect whether a commission is considered earned.
(4) Failure to pay an earned commission is a wage payment violation under RCW 49.52.050.
[ 2020 c 84 § 2; 1992 c 177 § 2.]
NOTES:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.170 - Sales representatives—Payment.

RCW 49.48.170
Sales representatives—Payment.
A principal shall pay wages and commissions at the usual place of payment unless the sales representative requests that the wages and commissions be sent through registered mail. If, in accordance with a request by the sales representative, the sales representative's wages and commissions are sent through the mail, the wages and commissions are deemed to have been paid as of the date of their registered postmark.
[ 1992 c 177 § 3.]
NOTES:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.180 - Sales representatives—Principal considered doing business in this state.

RCW 49.48.180
Sales representatives—Principal considered doing business in this state.
A principal who is not a resident of this state and who enters into a contract subject to RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190 is considered to be doing business in this state for purposes of the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the principal.
[ 1992 c 177 § 4.]
NOTES:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.190 - Sales representatives—Rights and remedies not exclusive—Waiver void.

RCW 49.48.190
Sales representatives—Rights and remedies not exclusive—Waiver void.
(1) RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190 supplement but do not supplant any other rights and remedies enjoyed by sales representatives.
(2) A provision of RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190 may not be waived, whether by express waiver or by attempt to make a contract or agreement subject to the laws of another state. A waiver of a provision of RCW 49.48.150 through 49.48.190 is void.
[ 1992 c 177 § 5.]
NOTES:
Severability—1992 c 177: See note following RCW 49.48.150.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.200 - Overpayment of wages—Government employees.

RCW 49.48.200
Overpayment of wages—Government employees.
(1) Debts due the state or a county or city for the overpayment of wages to their respective employees may be recovered by the employer by deductions from subsequent wage payments as provided in RCW 49.48.210, or by civil action. If the overpayment is recovered by deduction from the employee's subsequent wages, each deduction shall not exceed: (a) Five percent of the employee's disposable earnings in a pay period other than the final pay period; or (b) the amount still outstanding from the employee's disposable earnings in the final pay period. The deductions from wages shall continue until the overpayment is fully recouped.
(2) Nothing in this section or RCW 49.48.210 or 49.48.220 prevents: (a) An employee from making payments in excess of the amount specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section to an employer; or (b) an employer and employee from agreeing to a different overpayment amount than that specified in the notice in RCW 49.48.210(1) or to a method other than a deduction from wages for repayment of the overpayment amount.
[ 2004 c 7 § 1; 2003 c 77 § 1.]
NOTES:
Severability—2004 c 7: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 2004 c 7 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.48 - Wages—Payment—Collection. › 49.48.900 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.

RCW 49.48.900
Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[ 2009 c 521 § 131.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.010 - Employees' benefit deductions and employer contributions are trust funds—Enforcement.

RCW 49.52.010
Employees' benefit deductions and employer contributions are trust funds—Enforcement.
All moneys collected by any employer from his or her or its employees and all money to be paid by any employer as his or her contribution for furnishing, either directly, or through contract, or arrangement with a hospital association, corporation, firm, or individual, of medicine, medical or surgical treatment, nursing, hospital service, ambulance service, dental service, burial service, or any or all of the above enumerated services, or any other necessary service, contingent upon sickness, accident, or death, are hereby declared to be a trust fund for the purposes for which the same are collected. The trustees (or their administrator, representative, or agent under direction of the trustees) of such fund are authorized to take such action as is deemed necessary to ensure that the employer contributions are made including, but not limited to filing actions at law, and filing liens against moneys due to the employer from the performance of labor or furnishing of materials to which the employees contributed their services. Such trust fund is subject to the provisions of *chapter 48.52 RCW.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12053; 1975 c 34 § 1; 1927 c 307 § 1; RRS § 7614-1.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Chapter 48.52 RCW was repealed by 1979 ex.s. c 34 § 1.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.020 - Lien of party rendering service.

RCW 49.52.020
Lien of party rendering service.
In case any employer collecting moneys from his or her employees or making contributions to any type of benefit plan for any or all of the purposes specified in RCW 49.52.010, shall enter into a contract or arrangement with any hospital association, corporation, firm, or individual, to furnish any such service to its employees, the association, corporation, firm, or individual contracting to furnish such services, shall have a lien upon such trust fund prior to all other liens except taxes. The lien hereby created shall attach from the date of the arrangement or contract to furnish such services and may be foreclosed in the manner provided by law for the foreclosure of other liens on personal property.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12054; 1975 c 34 § 2; 1927 c 307 § 2; RRS § 7614-2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.030 - Deductions in extrahazardous employment—Medical aid fund deductions excluded.

RCW 49.52.030
Deductions in extrahazardous employment—Medical aid fund deductions excluded.
All moneys realized by any employer from the employer's employees either by collection or by deduction from the wages or pay of employees intended or to be used for the furnishing to workers engaged in extrahazardous work, their families or dependents, of medical, surgical or hospital care and treatment, or for nursing, ambulance service, burial or any or all of the above enumerated services, or any service incidental to or furnished or rendered because of sickness, disease, accident or death, and all moneys owing by any employer therefor, shall be and remain a fund for the purposes for which such moneys are intended to be used, and shall not constitute or become any part of the assets of the employer making such collections or deductions: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That RCW 49.52.030 and 49.52.040 shall not apply to moneys collected or deducted as aforesaid for, or owing by employers to the state medical aid fund. Such moneys shall be paid over promptly to the physician or surgeon or hospital association or other parties to which such moneys are due and for the purposes for which such collections or deductions were made.
[ 1989 c 12 § 16; 1929 c 136 § 1; RRS § 7713-1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.040 - Actions to recover for service—Lien—Priority.

RCW 49.52.040
Actions to recover for service—Lien—Priority.
If any such employer shall default in any such payment to any physician, surgeon, hospital, hospital association or any other parties to whom any such payment is due, the sum so due may be collected by an action at law in the name of the physician, surgeon, hospital, hospital association or any other party to whom such payment is owing, or their assigns and against such defaulting employer, and in addition to such action, such claims shall have the same priority and lien rights as granted to the state for claims due the accident and medical aid funds by section 7682 of Remington's Compiled Statutes of Washington, 1922 [RCW 51.16.150 through 51.16.170], and acts amendatory thereto, which priority and lien rights shall be enforced in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided in said section 7682 [RCW 51.16.150 through 51.16.170]: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the said claims for physicians, surgeons, hospitals and hospital associations and others shall be secondary and inferior to any claims of the state and to any claims for labor. Such right of action shall be in addition to any other right of action or remedy.
[ 1929 c 136 § 2; RRS § 7713-2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.050 - Rebates of wages—False records—Penalty.

RCW 49.52.050
Rebates of wages—False records—Penalty.
Any employer or officer, vice principal or agent of any employer, whether said employer be in private business or an elected public official, who
(1) Shall collect or receive from any employee a rebate of any part of wages theretofore paid by such employer to such employee; or
(2) Wilfully and with intent to deprive the employee of any part of his or her wages, shall pay any employee a lower wage than the wage such employer is obligated to pay such employee by any statute, ordinance, or contract; or
(3) Shall wilfully make or cause another to make any false entry in any employer's books or records purporting to show the payment of more wages to an employee than such employee received; or
(4) Being an employer or a person charged with the duty of keeping any employer's books or records shall wilfully fail or cause another to fail to show openly and clearly in due course in such employer's books and records any rebate of or deduction from any employee's wages; or
(5) Shall wilfully receive or accept from any employee any false receipt for wages;
Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12055; 1941 c 72 § 1; 1939 c 195 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1941 § 7612-21.]
NOTES:
Severability—1939 c 195: "If any section, subsection, sentence or clause of this act shall be adjudged unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the act as a whole or of any section, subsection, sentence or clause thereof not adjudged unconstitutional." [ 1939 c 195 § 5; RRS § 7612-25.] This applies to RCW 49.52.050 through 49.52.080.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.060 - Authorized withholding.

RCW 49.52.060
Authorized withholding.
The provisions of RCW 49.52.050 shall not make it unlawful for an employer to withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages when required or empowered so to do by state or federal law or when a deduction has been expressly authorized in writing in advance by the employee for a lawful purpose accruing to the benefit of such employee nor shall the provisions of RCW 49.52.050 make it unlawful for an employer to withhold deductions for medical, surgical, or hospital care or service, pursuant to any rule or regulation: PROVIDED, That the employer derives no financial benefit from such deduction and the same is openly, clearly and in due course recorded in the employer's books.
[ 1939 c 195 § 2; RRS § 7612-22.]
NOTES:
Penalty for coercion as to purchase of goods, meals, etc.: RCW 49.48.020.
Public employment, payroll deductions: RCW 41.04.020, 41.04.030, 41.04.035, and 41.04.036.
Wages to be paid in lawful money or negotiable order, penalty: RCW 49.48.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.070 - Civil liability for double damages.

RCW 49.52.070
Civil liability for double damages.
Any employer and any officer, vice principal or agent of any employer who shall violate any of the provisions of RCW 49.52.050 (1) and (2) shall be liable in a civil action by the aggrieved employee or his or her assignee to judgment for twice the amount of the wages unlawfully rebated or withheld by way of exemplary damages, together with costs of suit and a reasonable sum for attorney's fees: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the benefits of this section shall not be available to any employee who has knowingly submitted to such violations.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12056; 1939 c 195 § 3; RRS § 7612-23.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.080 - Presumption as to intent.

RCW 49.52.080
Presumption as to intent.
The violations by an employer or any officer, vice principal, or agent of any employer of any of the provisions of subdivisions (3), (4), and (5) of RCW 49.52.050 shall raise a presumption that any deduction from or underpayment of any employee's wages connected with such violation was wilful.
[ 1939 c 195 § 4; RRS § 7612-24.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.52 - Wages—Deductions—Contributions—Rebates. › 49.52.090 - Rebates of wages on public works—Penalty.

RCW 49.52.090
Rebates of wages on public works—Penalty.
Every person, whether as a representative of an awarding or public body or officer, or as a contractor or subcontractor doing public work, or agent or officer thereof, who takes or receives, or conspires with another to take or receive, for his or her own use or the use of any other person acting with him or her any part or portion of the wages paid to any laborer, worker, or mechanic, including a piece worker and working subcontractor, in connection with services rendered upon any public work within this state, whether such work is done directly for the state, or public body or officer thereof, or county, city and county, city, town, township, district or other political subdivision of the said state or for any contractor or subcontractor engaged in such public work for such an awarding or public body or officer, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12057; 1935 c 29 § 1; RRS § 10320-1.]
NOTES:
Prevailing wages must be paid on public works: RCW 39.12.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.56 - Wages—Priorities—Preferences. › 49.56.010 - Priority of wages in insolvency.

RCW 49.56.010
Priority of wages in insolvency.
In all assignments of property made by any person to trustees or assignees on account of the inability of the person at the time of the assignment to pay his or her debts, or in proceedings in insolvency, the wages of the miners, mechanics, salespersons, servants, clerks, or laborers employed by such persons to the amount of one hundred dollars, each, and for services rendered within sixty days previously, are preferred claims, and must be paid by such trustees or assignees before any other creditor or creditors of the assignor.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12058; Code 1881 § 1972; 1877 p 223 § 34; RRS § 1204.]
NOTES:
Construction—1877 p 224: "In construing the provisions of this act, words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter, the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular; the word person includes a corporation as well as a natural person, and the word writing includes printing." [ 1877 p 224 § 37.]
Construction—1877 p 224: "This act establishes the law of this territory respecting the subject to which it relates and its provisions and all proceedings under it are to be liberally construed with a view to effect its object." [ 1877 p 224 § 39.]
Repeal and saving—1877 p 224: "All acts relating to any kind or class of liens provided for in this act are hereby repealed, but no action or proceeding commenced before this act takes effect, and no right accrued is affected by such repeal but the proceedings therein must conform to the requirements of this act as far as applicable." [ 1877 p 224 § 38.]
Effective date—1877 p 224: "This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and the approval thereof by the governor." (Approved, November 8th, 1877.) [ 1877 p 224 § 40.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.56 - Wages—Priorities—Preferences. › 49.56.020 - Preference on death of employer.

RCW 49.56.020
Preference on death of employer.
In case of the death of any employer, the wages of each miner, mechanic, salesperson, clerk, servant, and laborer for services rendered within sixty days next preceding the death of the employer, not exceeding one hundred dollars, rank in priority next after the funeral expenses, expenses of the last sickness, the charges and expenses of administering upon the estate and the allowance to the widow and infant children, and must be paid before other claims against the estate of the deceased person.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12059; Code 1881 § 1973; 1877 p 223 § 35; RRS § 1205.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.56 - Wages—Priorities—Preferences. › 49.56.030 - Priority in executions, attachments, etc.

RCW 49.56.030
Priority in executions, attachments, etc.
In cases of executions, attachments, and writs of similar nature issued against any person, except for claims for labor done, any miners, mechanics, salespersons, servants, clerks, and laborers who have claims against the defendant for labor done, may give notice of their claims and the amount thereof, sworn to by the person making the claim to the creditor and the officer executing either of such writs at any time before the actual sale of property levied on, and unless such claim is disputed by the debtor or a creditor, such officer must pay to such person out of the proceeds of the sale, the amount each is entitled to receive for services rendered within sixty days next preceding the levy of the writ, not exceeding one hundred dollars. If any or all the claims so presented and claiming preference under this chapter, are disputed by either the debtor or a creditor, the person presenting the same must commence an action within ten days from the recovery thereof, and must prosecute his or her action with due diligence, or be forever barred from any claim of priority of payment thereof; and the officer shall retain possession of so much of the proceeds of the sale as may be necessary to satisfy such claim, until the determination of such action; and in case judgment be had for the claim or any part thereof, carrying costs, the costs taxable therein shall likewise be a preferred claim with the same rank as the original claim.
[ 2010 c 8 § 12060; Code 1881 § 1974; 1877 p 223 § 36; RRS § 1206.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.56 - Wages—Priorities—Preferences. › 49.56.040 - Labor claims paramount to claims by state agencies.

RCW 49.56.040
Labor claims paramount to claims by state agencies.
In distraint or insolvency proceedings affecting the assets of an employer, claims for labor, salaries or wages not to exceed six hundred dollars to each claimant which have been earned within three months before the date of the distraint or commencement of the proceeding shall be paramount and superior to any claim preferred or presented by an agency of the state: PROVIDED, That this section shall not apply to any compensation payable to an employer or to an officer, director, or stockholder of a corporate employer.
[ 1967 ex.s. c 86 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.005 - Findings—Intent.

RCW 49.58.005
Findings—Intent.
(1) The legislature finds that despite existing equal pay laws, there continues to be a gap in wages and advancement opportunities among workers in Washington, especially women. Income disparities limit the ability of women to provide for their families, leading to higher rates of poverty among women and children. The legislature finds that in order to promote fairness among workers, employees must be compensated equitably. Further, policies that encourage retaliation or discipline towards workers who discuss or inquire about compensation prevent workers from moving forward.
(2) The legislature intends to update the existing Washington state equal pay act, not modified since 1943, to address income disparities, employer discrimination, and retaliation practices, and to reflect the equal status of all workers in Washington state.
(3) The legislature finds that:
(a) The long-held business practice of inquiring about salary history has contributed to persistent earning inequalities;
(b) Historically, women have been offered lower initial pay than men for the same jobs even where their levels of education and experience are the same or comparable; and
(c) Lower starting salaries translate into lower pay, less family income, and more children and families in poverty.
(4) The legislature therefore intends to follow multiple other states and take the additional step towards gender equality by prohibiting an employer from seeking the wage or salary history of an applicant for employment in certain circumstances. Further, the legislature intends to require an employer to provide wage and salary information to applicants and employees.
[ 2019 c 345 § 1; 2018 c 116 § 1.]
NOTES:
Short title—2019 c 345: "This chapter may be known and cited as the Washington equal pay and opportunities act." [ 2019 c 345 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.010 - Definitions.

RCW 49.58.010
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Compensation" means discretionary and nondiscretionary wages and benefits provided by an employer to an employee as a result of the employment relationship.
(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
(3) "Director" means the director of the department of labor and industries, or the director's designated representative.
(4) "Employee" means an employee who is employed in the business of the employee's employer whether by way of manual labor or otherwise.
(5) "Employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, business trust, legal representative, or other business entity which engages in any business, industry, profession, or activity in this state and employs one or more employees, and includes the state, any state institution, state agency, political subdivisions of the state, and any municipal corporation or quasi-municipal corporation.
[ 2018 c 116 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.020 - Wage discrimination due to gender prohibited—Penalty—Civil recovery.

RCW 49.58.020
Wage discrimination due to gender prohibited—Penalty—Civil recovery.
(1) Any employer in this state who discriminates in any way in providing compensation based on gender between similarly employed employees of the employer is guilty of a misdemeanor. If any employee receives less compensation because of discrimination on account of gender in violation of this section, that employee is entitled to the remedies in RCW 49.58.060 and 49.58.070. In such action, however, the employer shall be credited with any compensation which has been paid to the employee upon account.
(2) For purposes of this section, employees are similarly employed if the individuals work for the same employer, the performance of the job requires similar skill, effort, and responsibility, and the jobs are performed under similar working conditions. Job titles alone are not determinative of whether employees are similarly employed.
(3)(a) Discrimination within the meaning of this section does not include a differential in compensation based in good faith on a bona fide job-related factor or factors that:
(i) Are consistent with business necessity;
(ii) Are not based on or derived from a gender-based differential; and
(iii) Account for the entire differential. More than one factor may account for the differential.
(b) Such bona fide factors include, but are not limited to:
(i) Education, training, or experience;
(ii) A seniority system;
(iii) A merit system;
(iv) A system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production; or
(v) A bona fide regional difference in compensation levels.
(c) A differential in compensation based in good faith on a local government ordinance providing for a minimum wage different from state law does not constitute discrimination under this section.
(d) An individual's previous wage or salary history is not a defense under this section.
(e) The employer carries the burden of proof on these defenses.
[ 2018 c 116 § 3; 1943 c 254 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 7636-1. Formerly RCW 49.12.175, 49.12.210.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.040 - Certain employer conduct prohibited—Employee not required to disclose compensation.

RCW 49.58.040
Certain employer conduct prohibited—Employee not required to disclose compensation.
(1) An employer may not:
(a) Require nondisclosure by an employee of his or her wages as a condition of employment; or
(b) Require an employee to sign a waiver or other document that prevents the employee from disclosing the amount of the employee's wages.
(2) An employer may not discharge or in any other manner retaliate against an employee for:
(a) Inquiring about, disclosing, comparing, or otherwise discussing the employee's wages or the wages of any other employee;
(b) Asking the employer to provide a reason for the employee's wages or lack of opportunity for advancement; or
(c) Aiding or encouraging an employee to exercise his or her rights under this section.
(3) An employer may prohibit an employee who has access to compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of such employee's essential job functions from disclosing the wages of the other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to such information, unless the disclosure is in response to a complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, or consistent with the employer's legal duty to provide the information and the disclosure is part of the employee's essential job functions. An employee described in this subsection otherwise has the protections of this section, including to disclose the employee's wages without retaliation.
(4) This section does not require an employee to disclose the employee's compensation.
(5) This section does not permit an employee to violate the requirements in chapter 49.17 RCW and rules adopted under that chapter.
[ 2018 c 116 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.050 - Employer retaliation prohibited.

RCW 49.58.050
Employer retaliation prohibited.
An employer may not retaliate, discharge, or otherwise discriminate against an employee because the employee has filed any complaint, or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under this chapter, or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding, or because of the exercise by such employee on behalf of himself or herself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.
[ 2018 c 116 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.060 - Complaint by employee—Investigation by director—Resolving the violation—Penalties.

RCW 49.58.060
Complaint by employee—Investigation by director—Resolving the violation—Penalties.
(1) Upon complaint by an employee, the director must investigate to determine if there has been compliance with RCW 49.58.020, 49.58.040, and 49.58.050, and the rules adopted under this chapter. The director, upon complaint, may also initiate an investigation on behalf of one or more employees for a violation of RCW 49.58.020, 49.58.040, and 49.58.050, and the rules adopted under this chapter. The director may require the testimony of witnesses and production of documents as part of an investigation.
(2) If the director determines that a violation occurred, the director shall attempt to resolve the violation by conference and conciliation.
(a) If no agreement is reached to resolve the violation, the director may issue a citation and notice of assessment and order the employer to pay to the complainant actual damages; statutory damages equal to the actual damages or five thousand dollars, whichever is greater; interest of one percent per month on all compensation owed; payment to the department of the costs of investigation and enforcement; and any other appropriate relief.
(b) In addition to the citation and notice of assessment, the director may order payment to the department of a civil penalty. For purposes of a civil penalty for violation of RCW 49.58.020 and 49.58.050, the violation as to each affected employee constitutes a separate violation.
(i) For a first violation, the civil penalty may not exceed five hundred dollars.
(ii) For a repeat violation, the civil penalty may not exceed one thousand dollars or ten percent of the damages, whichever is greater.
(3) An appeal from the director's determination may be taken in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. An employee who prevails is entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(4) The department must deposit civil penalties paid under this section in the supplemental pension fund established under RCW 51.44.033.
(5) Any wages and interest owed must be calculated from four years from the last violation before the complaint.
[ 2018 c 116 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.070 - Employee may bring civil action—Damages and relief.

RCW 49.58.070
Employee may bring civil action—Damages and relief.
(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, an employee may bring a civil action against an employer for violation of RCW 49.58.020 and 49.58.030 through 49.58.050 for actual damages; statutory damages equal to the actual damages or five thousand dollars, whichever is greater; interest of one percent per month on all compensation owed; and costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The court may also order reinstatement and injunctive relief. The employee must bring a civil action within three years of the date of the alleged violation of this chapter regardless of whether the employee pursued an administrative complaint. Filing a civil action under this chapter shall terminate the director's processing of the complaint under RCW 49.58.030 or 49.58.060. Recovery of any wages and interest owed must be calculated from four years from the last violation prior to the date of filing the civil action.
(2) An employee alleging a violation of RCW 49.58.030 is entitled to relief only if the court determines that the employer committed a pattern of violations as to the employee or committed a violation through application of a formal or informal employer policy or practice.
[ 2018 c 116 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.080 - Violation of chapter—Adoption of discriminatory compensation decision or other practice.

RCW 49.58.080
Violation of chapter—Adoption of discriminatory compensation decision or other practice.
A violation of this chapter occurs when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when an individual becomes subject to a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, or when an individual is affected by application of a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, resulting in whole or in part from such a decision or other practice.
[ 2018 c 116 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.090 - Rules.

RCW 49.58.090
Rules.
The department may adopt rules to implement RCW 49.58.005 and 49.58.020 through 49.58.060.
[ 2018 c 116 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.100 - Employer seeking wage and salary history of applicants prohibited—Remedies.

RCW 49.58.100
Employer seeking wage and salary history of applicants prohibited—Remedies.
(1) An employer may not:
(a) Seek the wage or salary history of an applicant for employment from the applicant or a current or former employer; or
(b) Require that an applicant's prior wage or salary history meet certain criteria, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) An employer may confirm an applicant's wage or salary history:
(a) If the applicant has voluntarily disclosed the applicant's wage or salary history; or
(b) After the employer has negotiated and made an offer of employment with compensation to the applicant.
(3) An individual is entitled to the remedies in RCW 49.58.060 and 49.58.070 for violations of this section. Recovery of any wages and interest must be calculated from the first date wages were owed to the employee.
[ 2019 c 345 § 2.]
NOTES:
Short title—2019 c 345: See note following RCW 49.58.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 49 - Labor Regulations › Chapter 49.58 - Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. › 49.58.110 - Disclosure of wage or salary range by employer—When required—Remedies.

RCW 49.58.110
Disclosure of wage or salary range by employer—When required—Remedies.
(1) The employer must disclose in each posting for each job opening the wage scale or salary range, and a general description of all of the benefits and other compensation to be offered to the hired applicant. For the purposes of this section, "posting" means any solicitation intended to recruit job applicants for a specific available position, including recruitment done directly by an employer or indirectly through a third party, and includes any postings done electronically, or with a printed hard copy, that includes qualifications for desired applicants.
(2) Upon request of an employee offered an internal transfer to a new position or promotion, the employer must provide the wage scale or salary range for the employee's new position.
(3) This section only applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
(4) A job applicant or an employee is entitled to the remedies in RCW 49.58.060 and 49.58.070 for violations of this section. Recovery of any wages and interest must be calculated from the first date wages were owed to the employee.
[ 2022 c 242 § 1; 2019 c 345 § 3.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2022 c 242: "This act takes effect January 1, 2023." [ 2022 c 242 § 2.]
Short title—2019 c 345: See note following RCW 49.58.005.