Washington Workers: Know Your Rights in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $17.73 per hour for most workers. For workers ages 14–15, the minimum wage will be $15.07 per hour. But the change goes beyond minimum wage. Washington’s minimum wage is also used to determine certain overtime protections. In 2027, the minimum salary required for certain employees to be classified as exempt from overtime will increase to: • $92,196 per year for employers with 51+ employees • $82,976.40
Swedish Health Workers’ $86M Wage Deal Comes With $25.8M in Legal Fees
In Callister v. Swedish Health Services, King County Superior Court gave final approval to an $86 million settlement resolving a class action brought by more than 14,000 workers over alleged Washington wage-and-meal-break violations. The court previously found Swedish liable in April 2025 for failing to provide second meal periods for employees working shifts longer than 10 hours and for allegedly underpaying workers through time-entry rounding. The settlement is expected to
Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Overtime Exemption for Live-In Caregivers
In a significant wage-and-hour ruling, the Washington Supreme Court held that the statutory overtime exemption for live-in caregivers employed by adult family homes is unconstitutional under the Washington Constitution. The Court concluded that singling out these workers for exclusion from overtime protections lacked sufficient constitutional justification. The decision exposes adult family home operators to potential liability for unpaid overtime and will likely require chan
Worker Retaliation Claim Leads to $23 Million Jury Verdict Against Walmart
In Garcia v. Walmart Inc., a federal jury in Washington awarded former Walmart employee Andrea Garcia $23 million after finding Walmart liable for retaliation under Title VII. Garcia alleged she was fired after reporting sexual harassment involving coworkers and escalating her concerns to Walmart’s ethics department. The jury awarded $500,000 in compensatory damages and $22.5 million in punitive damages, finding that Walmart’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or recklessly
Paid Family and Medical Leave Premium Allocation Changes
Effective June 11, 2026, Washington amended its Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) premium structure through HB 2345 in response to recent Internal Revenue Service guidance. The legislation modifies how employer and employee contributions are allocated between the family leave and medical leave portions of the program while maintaining the overall premium rate. According to the Employment Security Department, the changes are intended to reduce federal tax consequences for e
Washington Prohibits Employer-Mandated Microchipping
Effective June 11, 2026, Washington employers may not request, require, or coerce employees or job applicants to have a microchip or other tracking device implanted in their bodies as a condition of employment. The new law reflects growing concerns regarding employee privacy, bodily autonomy, and workplace surveillance technologies. Employees who believe their rights have been violated may bring a civil action seeking injunctive relief, actual damages, punitive damages, and r
Boeing Mechanic Wage Class Action Takes Off in Washington
A proposed class action lawsuit against Boeing alleges that the company underpaid thousands of Washington state mechanics and assembly workers by requiring off-the-clock work and failing to provide proper compensation for meal and rest breaks. The suit, brought by former employee Alexander Lara-Trespalacios, claims workers were not paid for time spent preparing for shifts, such as putting on protective gear, and were pressured to attend trainings or continue working during br
Paid Family & Medical Leave Protections Expanded in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program will offer stronger job protections for employees who take leave. This means workers will have greater assurance that they can return to their position—or an equivalent role—after their leave ends. The updated rules expand eligibility, allowing more employees at smaller and mid-size businesses to qualify for job-protected PFML. This change supports a wider range of workers and reinforces Washi
Washington Workers Get a Boost: New Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for 2026
Good news for Washington employees — the state minimum wage is set to increase to $17.13 per hour in 2026. The 2.8% rise reflects ongoing inflation adjustments that keep workers’ earnings aligned with real living costs. The new year will also bring a higher salary threshold for overtime exemption, now $1,541.70 per week, ensuring that more salaried employees qualify for overtime pay. Even rideshare drivers will see pay increases, with updated per-minute and per-mile rates. Wa
When Persistence Pays: Xerox Call Center Employees Secure $9.1M
More than 5,700 Xerox employees have proven that perseverance matters. After over a decade in court, workers secured a $9.1 million settlement over claims that Xerox’s compensation structure violated minimum wage laws. The suit challenged the legality of the ABC plan—a performance-based system that allegedly underpaid employees. Even workers dismissed from the case earlier this year will share in the outcome. This historic result shows that when workers stand together, the la
