WA Workplace Watch

WA Workplace Watch

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In ways both big and small, the pandemic fundamentally upended how and where many people work. Individuals and industries alike have had to grapple with “essential” work, remote employees, job market swings and a surge in unionizing efforts. Crosscut has launched Washington Workplace Watch to investigate how employment dynamics have shifted in recent years as well as how our public oversight may need to adapt.

This project will produce long-term coverage on working conditions, safety concerns and government oversight efforts throughout Washington. Our team will pursue stories across agriculture, aerospace, healthcare, construction, tech, government and other industries to seek out failures to protect or treat workers fairly. We will pore through inspection records, legal complaints, data and other documentation to show how companies and public institutions enforce key policies — or not. 

As we report on these issues, we want to share the stories of Washingtonians from a diversity of economic, cultural and geographic backgrounds. We know there are many stories to tell about unsafe worksites, hiring discrimination, on-the-job harassment or unfair labor practices. We will prioritize uncovering misconduct or disparities that disproportionately affect rural or historically marginalized communities. Find tools and resources in Crosscut’s Check Your Work guide to search workplace safety records and complaints for businesses in your community.  

(Si prefiere leer acerca de este proyecto en español, o proveer información en español, haga clic aquí.)

We need your help

We are looking for stories with broad community interest and impact. The success of these investigations relies on connecting with people who have direct experience with these issues. Please consider reaching out with your concerns about workplace injustices. 

The best news tips include a strong foundation for initial reporting, such as the names of the people involved, relevant documents, databases, recordings or firsthand accounts. 

Your questions about how specific businesses or agencies operate can also point us to key stories. Submit questions to Investigations editor Jacob Jones or investigative reporter Lizz Giordano below.

How to submit a news tip: 

  • Traditional mail is still a secure way to give our reporters vital information. Mail documents or other tips to our newsroom:
    ATTN: WA Workplace Watch, Jacob Jones
    401 Mercer St.
    Seattle, WA 98109
  • Leave a detailed message on our news tip line at 206-443-6704 
  • Email Jacob or Lizz
  • Contact us via Signal, an encryption tool to keep your electronic communications private and secure. (Read this article for tips on how to use Signal)

Ask Lizz your questions about workplace rights and safety. 

Lizz Giordano

Lizz Giordano

Investigative Reporter

Lizz Giordano is Crosscut’s investigative reporter, focused on following working conditions, government oversight procedures and labor organizing efforts across Washington state. Before joining Crosscut, as writer and photographer, Lizz covered transit and transportation issues impacting the region. She can be followed on Twitter @lizzgior or reached on email at elizabeth.giordano@crosscut.com.