# RCW 49.84.040: RCW 49.84.040: Adverse action—Presumption of retaliation

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S040

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 49.84.040
- **Heading:** RCW 49.84.040: Adverse action—Presumption of retaliation
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 49 / Chapter 84 / Section 040

## Text

(1) A person, including but not limited to an employer, his or her agent, or person acting as or on behalf of a hiring entity, or the officer or agent of any entity, business, corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, may not discharge or in any way retaliate, discriminate, or take adverse action against an employee or former employee for exercising any rights established in this chapter, or for being perceived as exercising rights established in this chapter including, but not limited to: (a) Initiating a request for information about a quota or personal work speed data pursuant to RCW 49.84.037 ; and (b) Making a complaint to the employer, the director, or any local, state, or federal governmental agency or official, related to a quota that is allegedly in violation of this chapter or chapter 49.17 RCW. (2) An employee or former employee need not explicitly refer to this section or the rights established in this chapter to be protected from an adverse action. The protection provided in this section applies to former employees and to employees who mistakenly but in good faith allege violations of this chapter. (3)(a) If a person takes adverse action against an employee or former employee within 90 days of the employee engaging or attempting to engage in activities protected by this chapter, there is a rebuttable presumption that the adverse action is a retaliatory action in violation of this section. (b) The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence that: (i) The action was taken for other permissible reasons; and (ii) the engaging or attempting to engage in activities protected by this chapter was not a motivating factor in the adverse action. (4) Except as provided for in RCW 49.84.032 , the department must carry out and enforce the provisions of this section and RCW 49.84.030 (3) pursuant to procedures established under chapter 49.46 RCW and any applicable rules. The department may adopt new rules to implement or enforce this subsection.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 49.84.010 RCW 49.84.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S010.md)
- [RCW 49.84.020 RCW 49.84.020: Warehouse quotas—Written description—Notice to employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S020.md)
- [RCW 49.84.025 RCW 49.84.025: Time periods—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S025.md)
- [RCW 49.84.030 RCW 49.84.030: Violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S030.md)
- [RCW 49.84.032 RCW 49.84.032: Violations of Washington industrial safety and health act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S032.md)
- [RCW 49.84.035 RCW 49.84.035: Employer records—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S035.md)
- [RCW 49.84.037 RCW 49.84.037: Employee right to written description and records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S037.md)
- [RCW 49.84.040 RCW 49.84.040: Adverse action—Presumption of retaliation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S040.md)
- [RCW 49.84.045 RCW 49.84.045: Employee complaint—Department investigation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S045.md)
- [RCW 49.84.050 RCW 49.84.050: Appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S050.md)
- [RCW 49.84.060 RCW 49.84.060: Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S060.md)
- [RCW 49.84.900 RCW 49.84.900: Effective date—2023 c 306.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S900.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T49_C84_S040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.