| Press Release For Immediate Release Contact Information Cynthia Santana Phone: 206-256-5219 Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces $1.1 Million in Funding for Business Outreach and Education SEATTLE (January 25, 2021) – The Office of Labor standards (OLS) announces the recipients of $1.1 million dollars in Business Outreach and Education funding to facilitate labor standards outreach, education and compliance assistance for small businesses operating in Seattle. The City has selected five organizations and partnerships to receive funding for a two-year funding cycle that begins on January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2022. The organizations to receive funding include the following: • Business Impact Northwest $66,000 • Ethnic Chambers of Commerce Coalition $400,000 • Latino Community Fund $284,000 • Tabor 100 $150,000 • Ventures $200,000 “Our small businesses are a key component in building a Seattle culture that supports the economic dignity of all workers. Now more than ever, as we build a more inclusive economy, our Business Outreach and Education Fund partners are vital in ensuring that small business owners are empowered with the information they need to be successful in applying labor standards in their workplaces. We are excited to announce this next generation of BOEF partners and look forward to working together,” said OLS Interim Director Jeneé Jahn. The grant supports local organizations’ outreach, education and compliance assistance efforts to Seattle’s small businesses in communities 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. Partners will assist these businesses by: • Increasing knowledge of and compliance with Seattle’s labor standards such as: Minimum Wage, Wage Theft, Paid Sick and Safe Time, Fair Chance Employment, Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Driver Minimum Compensation Ordinance, Domestic Workers Ordinance, Commuter Benefits, Secure Scheduling and the Hotel Employee Protections ordinances; • Developing new partnerships and build capacity among community organizations serving the business community to expand labor standards compliance; and • Building trust and collaboration between OLS, the business community, and business organizations serving the business community. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards for more information about the Office of Labor Standards and the Business Outreach and Education Fund webpage here https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/funding/business-outreach-and-education-fund for further details on the fund. #### |