New Lawsuit Exposes Workplace Issues Inside State Agency

Three former employees of Washington’s Department of Commerce have filed a lawsuit accusing top human resources leaders of fostering a toxic work environment. Amanda L. Davis, Catherine M. George, and Nicole Rivera claim they faced discrimination based on race, gender, and age, along with retaliation for speaking up. The case names Theresa Burkheimer and Lauren Watts, former HR chief and deputy director, as key figures in the alleged mistreatment. The lawsuit argues that older women and minority workers were held to harsher standards than their younger, white male counterparts. One incident involved Watts mocking Davis in a meeting by mimicking what she called Asian stereotypes. Despite Davis reporting the behavior to Burkheimer, no action was taken. Over time, Davis says the stress affected her health, pushing her to accept a lower-paying job elsewhere. George’s claims go further, describing a pattern of bullying from Watts. After raising concerns about discrimination, George said she was placed on a performance improvement plan—a move she believes was punitive. She also alleges humiliation in meetings where a supervisor targeted her with tough questions while ignoring others. Her departure in September is framed as retaliation for challenging discrimination and taking legally protected medical leave.Rivera faced exclusion from key discussions and was later investigated herself after cooperating in a probe of the department’s practices. She calls this a clear attempt to silence dissent. The lawsuit details broader issues, including alleged wrongful firings, improper handling of public records requests, and violations of workers’ rights. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified financial compensation and mandatory training for HR leadership. Legal filings show George requested $2. 5 million in an early claim, seeking back pay and reinstatement. Meanwhile, the former HR director’s position remains empty on the state website, raising questions about leadership and accountability. The lawsuit’s lawyer suggests new HR leadership could help restore fair workplace standards, comparing a good HR department to Switzerland—neutral but willing to challenge unfair decisions.