Employment in Washington is known as employment "at will" meaning an employee can be fired for a good reason or a bad reason or no reason at all. This also applies to the terms and conditions of employment. There are however, four main areas of illegal reasons for termination or harassment.
1
Discrimination
Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, age over 40, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (in Washington), marital status (in Washington), parental status (in some local areas), and other bases. There is a limited list, but it is broad.
We prove these illegal motives by looking at what people say and what they do. What is it that makes you think they have discriminated against you?
2
Retaliation and Whistleblowing
It is also illegal to retaliate against a person because of their complaints about discrimination or their complaints about other illegal activities.
Timing of events, weak reasons for adverse actions, different treatment than individuals who did not complain (and who are otherwise similarly situated), and comments, jokes, or slurs are the most common ways we prove discrimination and retaliation.
3
Contract issues
Some contracts are "sign on the bottom line" type. Read yours carefully if you have one of these. Other contracts can arise from employee handbooks or policy manuals when they contain promises of specific treatment in specific situation and do not contain disclaimers or other circumstances that would make it unreasonable to rely on those promises. If you relied on those promises to take the job, stay in the job, or complain about ethical or legal issues, then the handbook might create a contract.
Unions also have contracts called collective bargaining agreements. Usually only the union can enforce a CBA, but often a lawyer can help them. Unions are often unnecessarily worried about being sued for a violation of their duties to you. This is a weak duty, and unless they are discriminating against you for an illegal reason or because of your political activities in the union, you probably should focus on how the union can help, not on how they might be breaking their duties to you.
4
Due process matters for government employees
Government can't generally take actions for irrational reasons, and usually have to give you the chance to be heard by an impartial decision maker before depriving you of your property interests in the job. This is a broad area, and if you are losing your job in government, call a local lawyer right away as there are often short time periods for appealing.
5
Disability Accommodation and Leaves of Absence
There is an obligation to accommodate disabilities unless it would be an undue burden to do so. This may include a temporary leave of absence. Disability accommodations and leaves of absence issues are complicated and you should probably call a lawyer for a consultation right away.
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