Employee Resources

L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. We help employers meet safety and health standards, and we inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards.

As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company, providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness. Our rules and enforcement programs also help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children's and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound building practices.

L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) administers the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) law by developing and enforcing rules that protect workers from hazardous job conditions.

Our inspectors visit about 5,000 workplaces each year and cite businesses that violate health and safety rules. Each year, we also conduct about 2,500 free, on-site safety and health consultations for employers who request our help complying with these rules in their unique workplaces. We also conduct research into workplace health and safety, which focuses on promoting healthy work environments and preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Safety Complaints
- Use the DOSH Complaint Form and mail, fax, or hand-deliver the completed form to your local L&I office; or
- Call 1-800-423-7233 to report

Confidentiality - You may choose to remain anonymous when reporting or, if you provide your name and contact information, you can request confidentiality. Your contact information helps ensure L&I can follow up with you should they need additional information. It also allows them to inform you of any action taken as a result of your report. Please refer to Chapter 2 of the DOSH Compliance Manual for more information.

Workers are entitled to protection from discrimination. L&I handles safety & health, wage & hour, and some other types of workplace discrimination.

Your employer may not fire you or discriminate or retaliate against you solely because you have exercised your workplace safety & health rights, such as:

Bringing job safety and health concerns to your employer's attention.
Participating in union activities concerning safety and health matters.
Refusing a dangerous task when certain conditions exist.
Filing safety and health grievances.
Participating in safety and health inspections with a DOSH inspector.
Filing a complaint about a workplace safety or health hazard with DOSH, OSHA, your local health or fire department or any other appropriate government.

Safety and Health Discrimination in the Workplace Brochure PUBLICATION F417-244-000

Safety & Health Discrimination
- Call 360-902-6088 or 1-800-423-7233
- Get a discrimination complaint form (F416-011-000)
- Visit an L&I office in person
Worker Rights Complaints
- File a Worker Rights Complaint online, or
- Download and mail a completed Worker Rights Complaint form, or
- Visit your nearest L&I office

Contact Info

7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501-5414
360-902-5800
https://lni.wa.gov

The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.

Contact Info:

200 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL | 1-866-487-2365
www.dol.gov

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.

The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

Confidentiality - Information obtained from individuals who contact EEOC is confidential and will not be revealed to the employer until the individual files a charge of discrimination.

Contact Info:

131 M Street, NE
Washington, DC 20507
1-800-669-4000
www.eeoc.gov | Find Your Nearest EEOC Office

Northwest Justice Project - Your Rights and Responsibilities as an Employee in Washington State

Questions? Email info@wsdha.com