# RCW 49.44.085: RCW 49.44.085: Provision requiring an employee to waive right to publicly pursue cause of action is unenforceable

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S085

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 49.44.085
- **Heading:** RCW 49.44.085: Provision requiring an employee to waive right to publicly pursue cause of action is unenforceable
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 49 / Chapter 44 / Section 085

## Text

A provision of an employment contract or agreement is against public policy and is void and unenforceable if it requires an employee to waive the employee's right to publicly pursue a cause of action arising under chapter 49.60 RCW or federal antidiscrimination laws or to publicly file a complaint with the appropriate state or federal agencies, or if it requires an employee to resolve claims of discrimination in a dispute resolution process that is confidential.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 49.44.010 RCW 49.44.010: Blacklisting—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S010.md)
- [RCW 49.44.020 RCW 49.44.020: Bribery of labor representative.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S020.md)
- [RCW 49.44.030 RCW 49.44.030: Labor representative receiving bribe.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S030.md)
- [RCW 49.44.040 RCW 49.44.040: Obtaining employment by false letter or certificate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S040.md)
- [RCW 49.44.050 RCW 49.44.050: Fraud by employment agent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S050.md)
- [RCW 49.44.060 RCW 49.44.060: Corrupt influencing of agent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S060.md)
- [RCW 49.44.080 RCW 49.44.080: Endangering life by refusal to labor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S080.md)
- [RCW 49.44.085 RCW 49.44.085: Provision requiring an employee to waive right to publicly pursue cause of action is unenforceable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S085.md)
- [RCW 49.44.090 RCW 49.44.090: Unfair practices in employment because of age of employee or applicant—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S090.md)
- [RCW 49.44.100 RCW 49.44.100: Bringing in out-of-state persons to replace employees involved in labor dispute—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S100.md)
- [RCW 49.44.120 RCW 49.44.120: Requiring lie detector tests—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S120.md)
- [RCW 49.44.135 RCW 49.44.135: Requiring lie detector tests—Civil penalty and damages—Attorneys' fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S135.md)
- [RCW 49.44.140 RCW 49.44.140: Requiring assignment of employee's rights to inventions—Conditions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S140.md)
- [RCW 49.44.150 RCW 49.44.150: Requiring assignment of employee's rights to inventions—Disclosure of inventions by employee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S150.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C44_S085. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.