Wage and Hour Attorney
Wage Disputes, Wage Theft, Recover Your Unpaid Wages
Wage and Hour Attorney in Washington State
Workers in Washington have some of the strongest wage and hour protections in the country, but that doesn’t mean violations don’t happen. In fact, wage theft is one of the most common workplace issues we see across Seattle, King County, and Pierce County. Employers sometimes try to cut corners by refusing to pay overtime, misclassifying employees as “exempt” when they should be hourly, or pressuring staff to work off the clock. These practices are not only unfair, they are illegal.
At Whalley Law, we help employees across Tacoma, Seattle, and throughout Washington State recover the wages they are entitled to. Our attorneys are well-versed in both federal wage laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Washington-specific laws enforced by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). For example, Washington’s minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum, and many cities and counties, including Seattle and SeaTac, have their own local ordinances that provide even greater worker protections.
In Seattle, employers must comply with the city’s unique wage ordinances, including minimum wage requirements that vary based on company size and whether the employer provides health benefits. In King County, workers in industries like tech, healthcare, and service frequently encounter wage and hour disputes tied to long shifts, misclassification, or improper denial of breaks. In Pierce County, especially in Tacoma and surrounding areas, we often see violations in logistics, retail, and construction, where employees are pressured to work overtime without proper pay.
Our firm helps clients in all of these areas by:
- Filing complaints with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Pursuing claims for unpaid overtime, missed meal or rest breaks, and withheld wages
- Challenging employee misclassification (when workers are wrongly labeled as salaried/exempt or independent contractors)
- Negotiating directly with employers for back pay and damages
- Litigating wage theft cases in Washington courts when employers refuse to comply
Washington Wage and Hour Laws
Washington has some of the most worker-friendly wage and hour laws in the country. Our state not only sets its own minimum wage, currently one of the highest in the U.S., but also enforces rules that go beyond federal protections. For example:
- Overtime Pay: Most employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a week. Washington also has stricter rules for salaried employees, raising the minimum salary threshold each year.
- Meal and Rest Breaks: Washington requires a paid rest break of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked and a 30-minute meal period for shifts longer than 5 hours. Employers who fail to provide breaks must still pay employees as if the break was taken.
- Final Paychecks: Employers must issue a final paycheck on the next regular payday, including all earned wages, accrued vacation if promised, and other benefits.
- Local Ordinances: Cities like Seattle have their own wage laws, with minimum wage rates that are even higher than the state level, and additional protections for certain industries.
Don’t Delay Seeking Compensation
When your employer withholds wages, denies overtime, or misclassifies your position, every day you wait to take action can cost you money. Washington law has strict time limits, called statutes of limitations, that control how long you have to file a claim for unpaid wages. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to recover what you’ve earned.
Delaying also gives your employer more time to cover their tracks or argue that you accepted their pay practices. Acting quickly not only strengthens your case but also helps prevent ongoing losses. By contacting an experienced wage and hour attorney right away, you can start the process of recovering back pay, securing penalties, and protecting your future income.
At Whalley Law, we encourage workers across Tacoma, Seattle, and Pierce and King Counties to reach out as soon as they suspect a violation. The sooner you speak with us, the sooner we can gather evidence, file the appropriate claims, and hold your employer accountable.
Whalley Law
6240 Tacoma Mall Blvd. Ste. 101
Tacoma, WA 98409
833-WALL-EEE
833-925-5333
1319 N Argonne Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
833-WALL-EEE
833-925-5333