# RCW 41.12.080: RCW 41.12.080: Tenure of employment—Grounds for discharge, reduction, or deprivation of privileges

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S080

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 41.12.080
- **Heading:** RCW 41.12.080: Tenure of employment—Grounds for discharge, reduction, or deprivation of privileges
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 080

## Text

The tenure of everyone holding an office, place, position or employment under the provisions of this chapter shall be only during good behavior, and any such person may be removed or discharged, suspended without pay, demoted, or reduced in rank, or deprived of vacation privileges or other special privileges for any of the following reasons: (1) Incompetency, inefficiency or inattention to or dereliction of duty; (2) Dishonesty, intemperance, immoral conduct, insubordination, discourteous treatment of the public, or a fellow employee, or any other act of omission or commission tending to injure the public service; or any other willful failure on the part of the employee to properly conduct himself or herself; or any willful violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulation to be adopted hereunder; (3) Mental or physical unfitness for the position which the employee holds; (4) Dishonest, disgraceful, immoral or prejudicial conduct; (5) Drunkenness or use of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or any other habit forming drug, liquid or preparation to such extent that the use thereof interferes with the efficiency or mental or physical fitness of the employee, or which precludes the employee from properly performing the function and duties of any position under civil service; (6) Conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanor, involving moral turpitude; (7) Any other act or failure to act which in the judgment of the civil service commissioners is sufficient to show the offender to be an unsuitable and unfit person to be employed in the public service.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 41.12.010 RCW 41.12.010: Application of chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S010.md)
- [RCW 41.12.020 RCW 41.12.020: Excluded cities—Repeal of local law—Effect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S020.md)
- [RCW 41.12.030 RCW 41.12.030: Civil service commission—Appointment—Terms—Removal—Quorum.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S030.md)
- [RCW 41.12.040 RCW 41.12.040: Organization of commission—Secretary—Powers and duties of commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S040.md)
- [RCW 41.12.050 RCW 41.12.050: Persons included—Restricted exemptions—Competitive examinations—Transfers, discharges, and reinstatements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S050.md)
- [RCW 41.12.070 RCW 41.12.070: Qualifications of applicants—Law enforcement agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S070.md)
- [RCW 41.12.075 RCW 41.12.075: Residency as condition of employment—Discrimination because of lack of residency—Prohibited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S075.md)
- [RCW 41.12.080 RCW 41.12.080: Tenure of employment—Grounds for discharge, reduction, or deprivation of privileges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S080.md)
- [RCW 41.12.090 RCW 41.12.090: Procedure for removal, suspension, demotion or discharge—Investigation—Hearing—Appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S090.md)
- [RCW 41.12.100 RCW 41.12.100: Filling of vacancies—Probationary period.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S100.md)
- [RCW 41.12.110 RCW 41.12.110: Power to create offices, make appointments and fix salaries not infringed.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S110.md)
- [RCW 41.12.120 RCW 41.12.120: Approval of payrolls.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S120.md)
- [RCW 41.12.130 RCW 41.12.130: Leaves of absence—Notice—Filling vacancy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S130.md)
- [RCW 41.12.140 RCW 41.12.140: Enforcement by civil action—Legal counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S140.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T41_C12_S080. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.