Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 19.05.090 — Labor and industries — Enforcement of amounts due., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 19.05.090. Labor and industries — Enforcement of amounts due.
(1) Employers may not impermissibly withhold any amounts due to the employee related to the employer's obligations under RCW
19.05.030. If any employee files a complaint with the department alleging that the employer impermissibly withheld any amounts due to the employee related to the employer's obligations under RCW
19.05.030, the department shall investigate and otherwise enforce the complaint as an alleged violation of a wage payment requirement, as defined in RCW
49.48.082.
(2) During an investigation, if the department discovers information suggesting additional violations of impermissibly withheld amounts due to the employees related to the employer's obligations under RCW
19.05.030, the department may investigate and take appropriate enforcement action without any additional complaint. The department may also initiate an investigation on behalf of one or more employees for any such violation when the director otherwise has reason to believe that a violation has occurred or will occur.
(3) The department may conduct a consolidated investigation for any alleged withheld amounts due to the employees related to the employer's obligations under RCW
19.05.030 when there are common questions of law or fact involving the employees. If the department consolidates such matters into a single investigation, it shall provide notice to the employer.
(4) The department may, for the purposes of enforcing this section, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or parties and the production of documents, administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath, take depositions, and seek affidavits or other verifications. The department may require the employer perform a self-audit of any records. The results or conclusions of the self-audit must be provided to the department within a reasonable time. The department must specify the timelines in the self-audit request. The records examined by the employer in order to perform the self-audit must be made available to the department upon request.
Notes
Conflict with federal requirements—2024 c 327: See note following RCW
19.05.020.
Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 19.05.090
What does Revised Code of Washington § 19.05.090 cover?
Section 19.05.090 ("Labor and industries — Enforcement of amounts due.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. 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 Washington § 19.05.090?
A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 19.05.090" (Washington). 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 Washington law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.
How does Washington § 19.05.090 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington 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 Washington.
