District Of Columbia § 7-741.06 - Employee rights and protections.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 7-741.06 — Employee rights and protections., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7-741.06. Employee rights and protections.
7-741.06Places of employment and enclosed public places that permit smoking pursuant to this chapter shall not require employees to work in smoking areas provided that an employee requests to work solely in non-smoking areas.
An employee who is aggrieved by a violation of this subsection shall have a private cause of action against the owner, manager, or person in charge of the place of employment or public place.
An employee shall pursue and exhaust all remedies available pursuant to any collective bargaining agreement, grievance procedure, or other established means of resolving employer-employee disputes to resolve a violation of this subsection prior to commencing a civil action.
An owner, manager, or other person responsible for a place of employment or public place that permits smoking under this subchapter shall not:
Require an employee to work in a smoking area; provided, the employee requests to work in the non-smoking area only;
Discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to compensation or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment on the basis that the employee or applicant requested to work in a non-smoking area; or
Discharge, refuse to hire, or in any manner retaliate against an employee, applicant for employment, or customer because that employee, applicant, or customer exercises any rights afforded by this chapter or reports a violation of this chapter.
An employee who is aggrieved by a violation of this section shall be entitled to recover damages, including lost or back wages or salary. The court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 7-741.06
What does D.C. Code § 7-741.06 cover?
Section 7-741.06 ("Employee rights and protections.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 7-741.06?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 7-741.06" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 7-741.06 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.