Washington

Key facts

EEOC filing deadline

300 days (FEPA work-sharing state)

State agency deadline

3 years to WSHRC — among the most generous in the country

Employer coverage

8 or more employees (federal Title VII requires 15+)

State law

Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)

State court statute of limitations

3 years

Additional protections beyond federal law

• •Sexual orientation
• •Gender identity and expression
• •Marital status
• •Status as an honorably discharged veteran
• •HIV/AIDS status
• •Hepatitis C status
• •Use of a service animal

How it works

Washington has a work-sharing agreement with the EEOC. A charge filed with Washington State Human Rights Commission is generally also considered filed with the EEOC ("dual-filed"), and vice versa. You usually only need to file once.

Key notes

Washington's 3-year filing deadline to the WSHRC is among the most generous in the country. Workers may also file directly in superior court without going through the WSHRC. The WLAD provides for uncapped emotional distress damages and attorneys' fees, making state-law claims highly valuable. Washington also has strong protections for pregnant workers and broad family leave rights.