Hermanson Pay Transparency Settlement: $4.75 Million for WA Job Applicants

Hermanson Co. LLP and its related entities resolved a Washington pay-transparency class action by agreeing to a $4.75 million settlement that may pay about $365.56 to eligible job applicants. The case focuses on job postings placed in Washington between Jan. 1, 2023, and March 25, 2026 that allegedly did not include required details—such as a wage scale, salary range, or a general description of benefits and other compensation—when applicants applied for roles. Because the lawsuit is brought as a class action, it can cover individuals who applied during that window even if they were not hired, reflecting how wage-disclosure rules are intended to let candidates evaluate pay and compensation before investing time in the hiring process. The lawsuit was filed to enforce Washington’s pay transparency law (RCW 49.58.110), which is part of a broader regulatory push to improve workplace fairness and reduce information asymmetry in hiring. Its significance goes beyond Hermanson: the settlement underscores that employers may face financial liability if job ads omit legally required compensation information, even if the company contests wrongdoing and resolves the matter to avoid further litigation risk. Similar cases and compliance efforts are increasingly common across industries that rely on job postings—especially where federal and state employment laws intersect with growing pay disclosure requirements—making this settlement a reminder that “what’s missing from the posting” can be as important as what an employer ultimately pays. Eligible class members generally do not need to file a claim, and payments are expected to be mailed after final court approval and resolution of any appeals, bringing potential relief to thousands of applicants while reinforcing the practical reach of Washington’s disclosure standards