For Immediate Release
October 18, 2017
Contact: Cynthia Santana/Communications Manager,
206-256-5219
cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
THE SEATTLE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS ANNOUNCES $1.4 MILLION FOR BUSINESS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
SEATTLE (October 18, 2017) – The Office of Labor standards (OLS) announces the availability of a $1.4 million Business Outreach and Education Fund to facilitate outreach, education and compliance assistance for small businesses operating in Seattle. Today, the office is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to guide the application and selection process for these contracts, which will be awarded for a two-year term.
The Business Outreach and Education Fund is designed to:
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- Increase knowledge of and compliance with Seattle’s labor standards;
- Develop new partnerships and build capacity among community organizations serving the business community to expand labor standards compliance; and
- Build trust and collaboration between OLS, the business community, and business organizations serving the business community.
The RFP seeks to reach businesses not typically served by traditional outreach methods: businesses owned by low-income and historically disenfranchised communities, including immigrants and refugees and people of color, as well as women, veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community.
“We are excited to provide this opportunity and give employers support from organizations with strong ties to the small business community,” said OLS Director Dylan Orr. “This marks the second time OLS has made an RFP available to small businesses in Seattle. We have had tremendous success with the first year’s recipients and look forward to continued growth. Our end-goal is to build a culture of compliance in Seattle.”
The deadline for organizations to submit written submissions and request oral presentation is November 16, 2017 at 5:00 pm. For more information and the full RFP package, visit: https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards or call 206-526-5297.
November 1, 2017 workshop for potential applicants
A workshop for potential applicants is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2017 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at Van Asselt Community Center, 2800 South Myrtle Street. The workshop will include training on labor standards, guidelines on the goals of the fund and group sessions to encourage partnerships and joint proposals. To RSVP, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/201819BOEFAWS.
The Office of Labor Standards implements the City of Seattle’s minimum wage, wage theft, paid sick and safe time, secure scheduling, hotel employees health and safety initiative, and fair chance employment ordinances. For more information about the workshop, RFP process and Seattle’s labor standards, or to report a labor standards violation, call 206-256-5297 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards.
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