Karen P. Kruse

Washington Court Affirms $2.1 Million Judgment in Meal and Rest Period Class Action
Karen P. Kruse, January 2, 2012
Finding no error in the trial court’s ruling that plaintiff-armored car employees “were always engaged in active work duties when on the armored vehicles,” the Washington Court of Appeals has affirmed a $2.1 million judgment against an employer for failing to comply with...

Washington Court Finds State Public Policy Violated by CBA Arbitration Award Reinstating Worker who Hung Noose at Work
Karen P. Kruse, November 23, 2011
A labor arbitrator’s award reinstating an employee who was terminated for hanging a noose in his workplace violated Washington’s public policy against discrimination where the arbitrator’s lesser discipline (only a 20-day suspension) prevented the employer from effectively...

Washington Claims for Wrongful Discharge against Public Policy Limited by Effective Statutory Remedies
Karen P. Kruse,Gina Dawn Wolverton, October 11, 2011
The Washington Supreme Court has reaffirmed that employee tort claims alleging wrongful discharge in violation of public policy may be brought only in limited circumstances, where the public policy at issue is not adequately promoted through alternative mechanisms, such as statutory remedies or...