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Multinational Food Company Settles Investigation with Seattle Office of Labor Standards Resulting in Nearly $670 Thousand Dollars to More Than 620 Workers

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov

Multinational Food Company Settles Investigation with Seattle Office of Labor Standards Resulting in Nearly $670 Thousand Dollars to More Than 620 Workers

Seattle, WA (June 10, 2021) – The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces the settlement with Compass Group USA dba Bon Appetit, Eurest, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Chartwells, and Levy (“Compass”), a multinational food service company with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide that operates 35 locations in Seattle for $663,725.38, which included $663,169.08 to 622 affected workers and $556.30 to the City of Seattle.

Compass Group settled allegations under the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) and Secure Scheduling ordinances. OLS alleged that Compass employees were unable to access their PSST balances while business operations were suspended due COVID-19 related health and safety reasons, and that Compass failed to provide pay for schedule changes in the weeks leading up to the company’s suspension of business operations.

“OLS is a vital component of fair labor practices in the city of Seattle. That said, it is the responsibility of management to look out for their employees and to speak up for their rights. Without OLS and the action of three Compass managers, 622 employees would have had their time stolen from them,” said a former Compass Manager.

“We take our responsibility as a local employer very seriously and did our best to navigate significant changes over the past year that we’ve never experienced before. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City’s Office of Labor Standards to address the compliance concerns that were raised and look forward to our continued partnership,” said Lisa Claybon, Compass Corporate Spokesperson.

This settlement highlights that:

  • Workers have a right to access their PSST when their large (250+ FTEs) employer shuts down for any health/safety reason, even if not ordered by a public health official and even if those workers are furloughed;
  • Secure Scheduling was not suspended during COVID-19; only a brief exception period applied.

“Now more than ever, Seattle workers need to be able to access their PSST and know their schedule ahead of time. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our city depended on workers to provide critical functions to the community. OLS will continue to support workers with efforts to enforce current ordinance protections and assist businesses with free technical assistance to ensure they are in compliance,” said Steven Marchese, OLS Director.

For more information on the PSST and Secure Scheduling Ordinance and other Seattle labor standards please visit our website here.

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