(1) Upon receipt of a complaint, the department will investigate allegations of an employer committing unlawful acts as described in RCW 50A.40.010.

(2) The department may request additional information from other parties including, but not limited to, employees, employers, and potential witnesses.

(3) Under chapter 50A.05 RCW, the department may subpoena potential witnesses, compel their attendance for deposition, and require production for examination of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and any other records deemed necessary as evidence in order to make a determination and assess all damages.

(4) If the department finds a violation did not occur, the complaint will be closed and a determination will be sent to all interested parties.

(5) If the department finds one or more violations occurred, the department will determine the monetary amount of all damages the employer owes to the employee as referenced in WAC 192-570-050, and a determination will be sent to all interested parties.

(6) Any aggrieved party may file an appeal of the department's determination under chapter 50A.50 RCW.

(7) The department may consider any information obtained in the investigation under this chapter as cause to initiate audits for employer files and records.