WAC 296-360-070. Persons prohibited from retaliating

RCW 49.17.160 specifically states that "no person shall discharge or in any manner retaliate against any employee" because the employee has exercised rights under WISHA. RCW 49.17.020 (5), defines "person" as "one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, business trusts, legal representatives, or any organized group of persons." Consequently, the prohibitions of RCW 49.17.160 are not limited to actions taken by employers against their own employees. A person may be charged with retaliating against an employee of another person. RCW 49.17.160 extends to such entities as organizations representing employees in collective bargaining, employment agencies, or any other person in a position to retaliate against an employee.