The Washington Supreme Court is tasked with determining what exactly makes one a “job applicant” under a state pay transparency statute, as two job seekers implored the court to stick to the plain meaning during oral argument Thursday morning.

Washington amended its equal pay law in 2022 to require employers to disclose wage scale, salary range, and benefits information in all job postings starting in 2023. If a job applicant finds a posting that doesn’t comply with the requirements, they can either file a complaint with the Department of Labor and Industry or pursue a private right of action. In both cases, the applicant is entitled to statutory damages of $5,000. READ MORE