Law to give job protection to domestic violence victims

OLYMPIA – Job applicants can’t be turned down because they are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking under a law signed Tuesday.

Workers can’t be fired if they are victims of that activity and employers must make “reasonable safety accommodations” requested by a victim unless it would pose an undue hardship or expense. Safety steps a business could take include transfer, reassignment, modified schedule or a changed phone number, email address or work station.

The law, which received unanimous support in the House and a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate, takes effect June 7.