Interviewing and Selecting Job Candidates: Washington

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Ina R. Silvergleid

Summary

• Washington's antidiscrimination law is broader than federal law in that in provides increased protections from discrimination. See Washington Law Against Discrimination.
• Washington limits employer inquiries regarding arrests and convictions. See Arrest and Conviction Inquiries.
• Washington curtails employers' efforts to gain access to a job applicant's social media accounts. See Social Media Password Protection.
• Washington restricts the use of polygraph tests. See Polygraph Testing.
• Employers should be careful when selecting job candidates. See Selecting Candidates.
• Employers are protected from providing a job reference when it is made in good faith. See Reference Checks.
• Washington has a law addressing credit checks. See Credit Checks.
• Washington has a law restricting salary history inquiries. See Salary History Inquiry Restrictions.
• Localities including Seattle and Spokane have laws pertaining to interviewing and selecting job candidates. See Local Requirements.