Seattle Wage and Hour Violation Attorneys

Common Wage and Hour Violations in Washington

• Unpaid overtime. Most hourly workers in Washington must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
• Off-the-clock work. Pre-shift tasks, closing duties, required meetings and after-hours messages can all count as time worked.
• Missed meal and rest breaks. Washington requires a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked and a 30-minute meal break for shifts over five hours. Learn more about meal and rest break violations.
• Late or missing final pay. When you leave a job, your final wages are generally due by the end of that pay period.
• Improper deductions. Employers must follow strict rules before taking money out of your check for things like uniforms, shortages or damage.
• Minimum wage violations. Washington’s minimum wage is higher than the federal rate, and some cities set their own. See Washington’s minimum wage in 2026.
• Misclassification. Calling an employee an independent contractor, or an exempt salaried worker, to avoid paying overtime.
• Unpaid sick leave. Washington workers earn paid sick leave, and Seattle adds its own Paid Sick and Safe Time rules.

Washington Wage Laws Protect Workers

Washington gives workers more wage and hour protection than federal law. The Washington Minimum Wage Act, the Wage Payment Act and the Wage Rebate Act build on the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. If your employer willfully withheld your wages, you may be entitled to double the amount withheld, plus attorney fees and costs. Washington law also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who ask about their pay or file a wage complaint. Read more about Washington state employee wage laws and your rights in our Washington Workers’ Rights guide.

Signs Your Employer May Owe You Wages

• The hours on your paystub don’t match the hours you worked
• You’re told to clock out and keep working
• You regularly work through lunch or skip breaks
• You’re paid a flat salary but do the same work as hourly coworkers