Enforcing the provisions of RCW 49.17.160 is not only a matter of protecting rights of individual employees, but also of protecting the public interest. Attempts by an employee to withdraw a filed complaint will not necessarily result in termination of the division's investigation. The division's jurisdiction cannot be foreclosed as a matter of law by unilateral action of the employee. However, a voluntary and uncoerced request from a complainant to withdraw his/her complaint shall generally be accepted.
