Whistleblowing exposes unethical behavior, misconduct or illegal activities within organizations. Many companies offer anonymous reporting channels to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and create a safe space for employees to raise concerns. However, even when...
Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.
Year: 2025
Strategies for workers to fight back after workplace disability discrimination
Disability discrimination can take various forms, from overt actions to subtle behaviors. Common examples of more overt actions include a denial of reasonable accommodations, unfair treatment in promotions or assignments, and harassment or derogatory remarks related...
Can you be fired for ongoing medical appointments?
You have a medical condition, whether through injury or illness, that qualifies as a disability. It also means that you need ongoing medical care. Perhaps you have to go in for continuing appointments and checkups, or perhaps you need a certain type of treatment. If...
Can your employer give your job away during maternity leave?
If you're pregnant and planning for maternity leave, you may have concerns about job security while you're away. In Washington state, laws protect workers from discrimination based on pregnancy and maternity leave. Does this mean your employer can’t give your job...
What is indirect discrimination?
Indirect discrimination occurs when a company rule applies to everyone but ends up putting certain groups at a disadvantage. It’s not always obvious and may not be intentional. Still, it can have real impacts on people based on characteristics like race, religion,...
Is it legal to deny a promotion to a pregnant employee?
Navigating workplace dynamics can be challenging. This is especially when pregnancy enters the picture. Many employees and employers alike find themselves wondering about the legal boundaries surrounding promotion decisions for expectant mothers. Understanding...
Is foreign education used to disqualify workers?
Sometimes, employers rely on biased assumptions about foreign education. If your degree or training came from another country, that shouldn't automatically count against you. In Washington, workers have protections if they're treated unfairly because of where or how...
Could you face discrimination for something that isn’t even true?
You can certainly face discrimination on the job for being part of a protected class. This is a violation of your rights. For instance, perhaps your employer discriminates against you because you are pregnant or because you have a different ethnic background than your...
What counts as a disability at work in Washington?
You might not think of yourself as someone with a disability. Maybe you are dealing with chronic pain that flares up halfway through your shift or a mental health condition that makes it harder to focus. Even so, you are still showing up, still getting the job done —...
Stereotypes about female employees can result in discrimination
Gender stereotypes, particularly towards female employees, have been reported to be the root of some discrimination cases. Some beliefs about what women are like or should be like cause many women in the workplace to miss out on opportunities. Here are four common...