For Immediate Release
June 4, 2018
Contact: Cynthia Santana, Communications Manager, 206-256-5219, cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
OLS finalizes administrative rules for Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time ordinance (Chapter 70) and announces an additional notice and comment period for a modified definition of “normal hourly compensation”
Office of Labor Standards invites public comments on a modified definition of “normal hourly compensation” through June 19, 2018
Seattle – (June 4, 2018) – The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces final revisions to administrative rules for Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) ordinance, effective July 1, 2018. In addition, OLS is modifying the proposed rule on the meaning of “normal hourly compensation,” and providing an additional notice and comment period on that issue.
In the initial draft of PSST rule revisions, the definition of normal hourly compensation required employers to include holiday pay and other premium rates when paying employees for use of PSST – a different requirement than is provided under the rules issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (“L&I”). During the notice and comment period from April 23 through May 13, 2018, OLS received comments on this proposal. After carefully considering the comments, OLS is proposing a modified definition of normal hourly compensation that does not require inclusion of holiday pay and other premium rates. This revised definition is consistent with the approach taken by L&I and many other jurisdictions. By aligning these requirements, OLS seeks to facilitate implementation of PSST and promote greater compliance.
Members of the public have until June 19, 2018 at 5:00pm PST to comment on the modified rule for normal hourly compensation. OLS anticipates finalizing this rule by July 1, 2018.
The full text of the final rules is available at:
http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/LaborStandards/2018_PSST_Rules.pdf
The text of the proposed rule, SHRR 70-020(5), is available at:
http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/LaborStandards/2018_PROPOSED_PSST_RULE_SHRR_70.pdf
Please send comments by email to karina.bull@seattle.gov or by regular mail to:
Seattle Office of Labor Standards
810 Third Ave., Suite 375
Seattle, WA 98104-1627
Attn: Karina Bull, OLS Policy Manager
You can also comment by calling 206-256-5297.
Seattle’s PSST ordinance requires employers operating in Seattle to provide all employees with paid leave to care for themselves or a family member with a physical or mental health condition, medical appointment, or a critical safety issue.
Seattle recently amended the PSST ordinance to reflect the more employee-protective provisions of voter-passed, Washington Initiative 1433, which established statewide paid sick leave for hourly employees working in Washington state. PSST rule revisions modify existing rules, originally issued in 2012, to reflect these ordinance amendments.
For more information on the PSST ordinance and recent amendments please visit http://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards.
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