For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
Seattle Office of Labor Standards Issues Final Administrative Rules for Seattle’s Domestic Workers Ordinance
Seattle – (November 26, 2019) The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces final administrative rules for the Domestic Workers Ordinance (SMC 14.23). The Ordinance provides domestic workers with the right to a minimum wage, rest breaks and meal periods, and, if they sleep at their place of employment, a 24-hour rest period after working six consecutive days, and the right to keep all documents and personal effects. The term “domestic worker” is defined in the Ordinance as a person who is paid by a “hiring entity” to perform work in or about a private home as a nanny, house cleaner, home care worker, gardener, cook, and/or household manager. The rules will be designated as Chapter 160 of the Seattle Human Rights Rules (SHRR). Full text of the rules can be found by clicking here.
The rules, finalized after a 30-day public comment period, give guidance and clarification about issues arising from the Ordinance such as:
• Who is an exempt worker?
• Who is a “hiring entity”?
• When must a hiring entity pay for a meal period?
• What is the consequence of a worker missing their rest break or paid meal period?
In addition to these rules, OLS will soon post on its website a detailed Questions & Answers document to elaborate on the meaning of the law and the rules. Among other information, it will provide concrete examples on how hiring entities should apply these requirements.
For more information about the Domestic Workers Ordinance, and Seattle’s other labor standards, visit https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards or call 206-256-5297.
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