Office of Labor Standards Marks Third-Year Anniversary of the Domestic Workers Ordinance with the First-of-Its-Kind Settlement for Seattle

More Than $71,000 Dollars Recovered to a Domestic Worker

For Immediate Release

July 1, 2022
Contact: Cynthia Santana, Communications Manager, 206-256-5219
[email protected]

Office of Labor Standards Marks Third-Year Anniversary of the Domestic Workers Ordinance with the First-of-Its-Kind Settlement for Seattle

More Than $71,000 Dollars Recovered to a Domestic Worker

Seattle, WA - (July 1, 2022) - The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) marks the third-year anniversary of the Domestic Workers Ordinance that took effect July 1, 2019, with the first-of-its-kind settlement under the ordinance in Seattle. This law gives minimum wage, rest break, and meal break rights to domestic workers. It also created a Domestic Workers Standards Board.

OLS alleged aSeattle household employer violated the Domestic Workers Ordinance in addition to the Minimum Wage, Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST), and Wage Theft Ordinances. The household employer agreed to pay the domestic worker a total financial remedy of $71,610.03 in back wages, interest, and civil penalties.

"I would encourage other domestic workers to come forward and not to be afraid if they believe that the contracts and the form of payment are not being fulfilled according to the work that is done," said the domestic worker. "Firstly, it was my ignorance of the laws and rights that I had, but through friends who supported me to do it, I lost my fear and filed the complaint. It was worth the risk and a favorable result was given," she said. "I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have participated in the investigation and have made this result possible, so that a favorable agreement can be reached."

Specific allegations included that the household employer:

• Failed to pay the correct minimum wage for part of the live-in domestic worker's employment
• Provided no PSST, failed to pay for all hours worked, failed to pay overtime
• Did not maintain required records or provide required payday information

"The rights under the Domestic Workers Ordinance and Seattle's labor standards helped protect the domestic worker so she could recover unpaid time and lost wages. This settlement reminds all Seattle household employers who hire domestic workers that their home is a workplace and domestic workers' rights must be respected," said Steven Marchese, OLS Director.

The household employer settled the matter and agreed to implement a PSST policy, track employee hours worked, maintain payroll records, and provide notifications with wage payment, employment, and PSST information if it employs a Seattle-based domestic worker in the future.

"We are proud of the courage of this domestic worker, she is an example for the thousands of workers who are being abused, raise your voice to be heard and ensure that the laws are complied with! She not only came forward but committed to the process, leading to this happy and important outcome. It is crucial that domestic workers see their peers be validated and supported by city officials. It is equally important that household employers see the structures in place and feel confident navigating them," said the Domestic Workers Standards Board. "Domestic work is done largely by women and people of color, groups who continue to be undervalued, while their labor is the invisible engine that drives our society. It is critical that household employers see themselves as employers and that domestic workers know they deserve to be protected, which this settlement shows. There is no better way to celebrate the 3^rd anniversary of the nation's first citywide bill of rights than by enforcing the law! There is always a light at the end of the tunnel!"

If you are currently a domestic worker or hire nannies, cooks, household managers, gardeners, home care workers, or house cleaners and want to learn more about this law please visit the OLS Domestic Workers webpage by clicking here.

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Office of Labor Standards, Source: Labor Standards

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