PTO Payout on Termination — Washington Law

Looking for advice on a legal issue in Washington. Here's what happened.

DOGE layoff with inadequate severance. I've been dealing with this for about 16 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

I have worked at this company for 6 years. My position is exempt and I do not have a written employment agreement beyond the standard offer letter.

What are my legal options here? Is it worth pursuing?

Have you tried reaching out to your state's consumer protection office? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

Attorney here. Here's my take on the legal issues.

The legal framework here involves both federal and state law. At the federal level, the FLSA and state wage laws. Your state may provide additional protections.

You should consult with a local attorney who handles these cases. Many offer free initial consultations.

I went through almost the exact same thing.

The biggest mistake people make in this situation is filing with the appropriate government agency. I'd recommend gathering evidence first instead.

I've seen this play out several times in my field.

The biggest mistake people make in this situation is having everything documented. I'd recommend keeping a detailed timeline instead.

Been there. Here's what I learned.

What worked for me was escalating to a supervisor/manager. It took 1-3 months but was worth it.