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Washington State Employees Sue HR Leaders for Alleged Toxic Workplace Culture

Three former employees of Washington’s Department of Commerce have launched a legal battle against top human resources officials, accusing them of perpetuating a hostile, discriminatory, and retaliatory work environment.

The Accused: HR Leadership Under Fire

Amanda L. Davis, Catherine M. George, and Nicole Rivera filed the lawsuit, naming Theresa Burkheimer (former HR chief) and Lauren Watts (former deputy director) as central figures in the alleged mistreatment. The plaintiffs claim they endured racial, gender, and age-based discrimination, alongside retaliation for speaking out against workplace injustices.

A Pattern of Alleged Discrimination

The lawsuit alleges that older women and minority workers were held to unreasonably strict standards compared to younger, white male colleagues. One particularly egregious incident involved Watts mocking Davis in a meeting, imitating what she described as Asian stereotypes. Despite Davis reporting the behavior to Burkheimer, no disciplinary action was taken.

The stress of the environment reportedly took a severe toll on Davis’ health, forcing her to leave for a lower-paying job elsewhere.

Bullying, Retaliation, and Humiliation

Catherine M. George’s claims paint a picture of systemic intimidation. After raising concerns about discrimination, she says she was placed on a punitive performance improvement plan (PIP)—a move she believes was designed to push her out. She further alleges deliberate humiliation in meetings, where a supervisor targeted her with aggressive questioning while ignoring others.

George’s resignation in September is framed as retaliation for challenging discrimination and taking legally protected medical leave.

Exclusion, Investigations, and a Culture of Silence

Nicole Rivera’s experiences highlight a culture of suppression. She claims she was deliberately excluded from key discussions and later investigated herself after cooperating in an internal probe of the department’s practices. She describes this as an attempt to silence dissent.

Broader Allegations of Misconduct

The lawsuit extends beyond individual grievances, accusing the department of:

• Wrongful firings
• Improper handling of public records requests
• Violations of workers’ rights

The plaintiffs are seeking: ✔ Unspecified financial compensation ✔ Mandatory HR leadership training

Legal Demands and Leadership Concerns

Filing documents reveal George initially sought $2.5 million in back pay and reinstatement. Meanwhile, the department’s HR director position remains vacant on the state website, raising questions about accountability and leadership.

Their attorney argues that new HR leadership could restore fairness, comparing a well-functioning HR department to Switzerland—neutral yet willing to challenge injustice.