It’s 2024, and women make up half or more of the general labor force – so is pregnancy discrimination actually still that prevalent? Unfortunately, it is. In fact, one out of five mothers say that they’ve personally experienced pregnancy discrimination at work. A...
Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.
Year: 2024
Recognizing harassment based on your cultural background
Workplace harassment can take many forms, and one of the most harmful types involves harassment based on cultural background. In Washington State, there are laws that protect employees from this form of mistreatment. It is important to recognize the signs of...
Be wary of layoffs that affect just one group of workers
Layoffs happen far more frequently than employees like to admit. For instance, it was recently announced that Verizon is going to lay off around 5,000 employees. Tech companies are well-known for having periods of aggressive hiring, followed by mass layoffs, just...
What your employer might not tell you about pregnancy leave
In Washington State, pregnant workers have specific rights when it comes to taking leave from their jobs. However, employers may not always provide full information about these rights, leaving some workers unaware of the benefits and protections available to them. It...
You could face discrimination even if you’re not in a protected class
There are many different protected classes, such as race, religion, age, gender or national origin. These are just a few examples, but employers are not allowed to discriminate based on these protected classes. They can’t use these traits to determine who they are...
Can your employer fire you after an accident causes a disability?
Being in an accident is a scary and challenging situation. It's increasingly scary if the accident causes a disability. One stressor is the impact on your job and job status. Understanding your rights and the protections in place is essential. Disability...
The right to privacy and reasonable accommodation
If you have a disability of any kind, knowing your rights to “reasonable accommodation” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be crucial to being able to do your job. Most people know that employers are typically required to provide reasonable...
Is your employer’s hair code racially discriminatory?
Image counts for a lot in business. Yet some employers are so keen on controlling their employee’s image, that in doing so they present a poor image of themselves. They show the company to be one that racially discriminates against its workers. Hair is the area of...
Power imbalances and sexual harassment cases
One key component of many sexual harassment cases, at least when they take place on the job, is that there is a power imbalance between the two people who are involved. In most cases, the harasser has a greater level of power than the victim. They are intentionally...
Do you have to tell your boss if you are pregnant in Washington?
Pregnancy is a significant life event, often bringing about numerous questions regarding workplace rights and obligations. If you're pregnant and employed in Washington, you might wonder about your responsibilities when it comes to informing your employer. Your rights...