49.46.090 - Payment of wages less than chapter requirements -- Employer's liability -- Assignment of wage claim. - Washington Statutes

Payment of wages less than chapter requirements — Employer's liability — Assignment of wage claim.

(1) Any employer who pays any employee less than wages to which such employee is entitled under or by virtue of this chapter, shall be liable to such employee affected for the full amount of such wage rate, less any amount actually paid to such employee by the employer, and for costs and such reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court. Any agreement between such employee and the employer to work for less than such wage rate shall be no defense to such action.

     (2) At the written request of any employee paid less than the wages to which he or she is entitled under or by virtue of this chapter, the director may take an assignment under this chapter or as provided in RCW 49.48.040 of such wage claim in trust for the assigning employee and may bring any legal action necessary to collect such claim, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs and such reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court.

[2010 c 8 § 12043; 1959 c 294 § 9.]