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What we Do

Employment Justice

Everyone deserves to be treated fairly on the job.

Access to good jobs is essential in society’s quest to reduce poverty and create equity. Yet far too many workers in the D.C. area face discrimination that limits their access to jobs and violates their rights in the workplace.

Over the past 50 years, we have been on the forefront of upholding and expanding worker protection laws and have filed hundreds of cases and more than 60 class actions.

We fight for workers who have been denied wages that they are owed.

We fight for job seekers and small business owners with arrest and conviction records who are being unfairly denied work or economic opportunity.

We fight for workers who have faced discrimination, sexual and racial harassment, and mistreatment on the job.

We advocate for laws and regulations that create equity in the workplace, and challenge those that unfairly deny economic opportunity.

Workers’ Rights Manual

Our Workers’ Rights Manual is an attempt to provide a comprehensive source of legal information about the rights of workers in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Check out this online resource!

Volunteers Needed

Our Workers’ Rights Clinic is looking for new volunteers!

Find out more & get involved today!

contact us

Learn more about joining the fight for employment rights by contacting us at [email protected].

Case Study
A Victory for Workers' Rights

With the help of Washington Lawyers’ Committee, a group of African American applicants and employees received a groundbreaking $6.5 million settlement from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) — and a chance to work.

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Workers’ Rights Clinic

In addition to litigation and public policy advocacy, we also advise workers on cases including unpaid wages, overtime, sexual harassment, termination, discrimination, workers’ compensation, family and medical leave, and pension benefits, as well as barriers to employment based on arrest and conviction record. To learn more about our workers’ rights clinic, click here.

Any worker who would like brief legal advice should contact the Workers’ Rights Clinic via phone (202) 319-1000 ext. 118 or [email protected] to schedule an intake appointment.

Clínica de Derechos de los Trabajadores

Además de los litigios y la abogacía de políticas públicas, también asesoramos a los trabajadores en casos que incluyen salarios no pagados, horas extras, acoso sexual, despido, discriminación, compensación laboral, licencia familiar y médica, y beneficios de pensión, así como barreras al empleo basadas en antecedentes de arrestos y condenas. Para obtener más información sobre nuestra clínica de derechos de los trabajadores, haga clic aquí.

Cualquier trabajador que desee asesoramiento legal breve debe contactar a la Clínica de Derechos de los Trabajadores por teléfono al (202) 319-1000 ext. 123 o [email protected] para programar una cita de admisión.

Online Resources
Reports
Workers’ Rights Clinic
Workers’ Rights Clinic
For workers that need help with employment law problems, the Washington Lawyers' Committee holds a Workers’ Rights Clinic where low-income workers can walk in without an appointment and have a one-on-one consultation with a trained Intake Volunteer who will provide legal advice and assistance with brief services, under the supervision of an experienced employment law attorney. Read More.
“Dr. King said, ‘the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice.’ But only when people pull it toward justice. The Washington Lawyers’ Committee is doing the pulling, and our city and the nation are better for it.”
Eric Holder, former Attorney General of the United States

Defend Our Civil Rights

We are committed to protecting and empowering immigrant communities with tools to safeguard their rights during enforcement encounters. Our infographic breaks down what to say (and what not to say) to stay safe and in control. Share to help inform and prepare others.

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