Employment Discrimination Demand Letter - Washington

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEMAND LETTER

Washington Law

Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW Chapter 49.60

[ATTORNEY/FIRM LETTERHEAD]

[Firm Name]
[Address Line 1]
[City, Washington ZIP]
Tel: [Phone Number]
Fax: [Fax Number]
[Attorney Email]
[Washington State Bar No.]

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
AND VIA EMAIL TO: [recipient_email]

[Date]

[Employer Contact Name]
[Title]
[Company Legal Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Re: Employment Discrimination Claim of [Client Full Name]
WSHRC Complaint No.: [If filed]
EEOC Charge No.: [If filed]
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - ER 408

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name]:

This firm represents [Client Full Name] ("our client") regarding [his/her/their] claims of unlawful employment discrimination against [Company Legal Name] ("[Company Short Name]" or "the Company"). Please direct all further communications concerning this matter to our office.

I. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

A. Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)

Washington provides among the strongest anti-discrimination protections in the nation under RCW Chapter 49.60.

Protected Classes Under WLAD (RCW 49.60.030):

• Race
• Creed
• Color
• National origin
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Sex (including pregnancy)
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Honorably discharged veteran or military status
• Presence of sensory, mental, or physical disability
• Use of trained service animal
• Age (40+)
• Marital status

B. Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

C. Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC)

Important: Administrative exhaustion is NOT required under WLAD. Plaintiffs may file directly in court.

II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

[Client Full Name] was employed by [Company Short Name] from [Start Date] through [End Date / Present] as a [Job Title] in [City], Washington.

III. LEGAL CLAIMS

A. Violation of Washington Law Against Discrimination

[Company Short Name] violated RCW 49.60.180 by discriminating against our client based on [protected class].

Key WLAD Provisions:

• Applies to employers with 8+ employees
• No administrative exhaustion required
• 3-year statute of limitations
• No caps on compensatory or punitive damages
• Citizenship/immigration status protected

See Marquis v. City of Spokane, 130 Wash. 2d 97 (1996).

IV. DAMAGES

Note: Washington has NO CAPS on compensatory or punitive damages under WLAD.

V. SETTLEMENT DEMAND

We demand that [Company Short Name] pay $[Settlement Demand Amount] to resolve all claims.

VI. RESPONSE DEADLINE

Please respond within twenty-one (21) calendar days, no later than [Response Deadline Date].

Sincerely,

[Attorney Name]
[Title]
[Firm Name]
[Washington State Bar No.]

WASHINGTON-SPECIFIC PRACTICE NOTES (Do Not Include in Final Letter)

Key Washington Considerations

[ ] No Administrative Exhaustion: Can file directly in Superior Court

[ ] No Damage Caps: No statutory limits on compensatory or punitive damages

[ ] Broad Protected Classes: Includes citizenship/immigration status, service animal use

[ ] 3-Year SOL: Longer than federal deadlines

[ ] SOGI Protected: Long-standing protections for sexual orientation and gender identity

Venue Options

• Washington Superior Court: State court venue
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (Seattle, Tacoma)
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington (Spokane, Yakima, Richland)

Statute of Limitations Reference