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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Woman sues under domestic violence law

MOSES LAKE, Wash. (AP) — An Eastern Washington woman has filed suit against her former employer, claiming the company failed to provide time off to deal with a domestic violence case and ultimately fired her.

Attorney Eric Gutierrez of Columbia Legal Services says this is the first case under the state's 2008 Domestic Violence Leave Act. The law requires employers to give employees reasonable time off to attend court and ensure their family's safety if they are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

The woman, who filed suit under the pseudonym "Jane Doe," filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Grant Count Superior Court against Genie Industries Inc., which is based in Redmond but has a manufacturing facility in Moses Lake.

Company officials did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.



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