For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
Office of Labor Standards Announces Seattle’s Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance Providing New Workplace Rights as of September 1, 2022
Seattle, WA – (September 1, 2022) The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces the City of Seattle’s Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance becomes effective September 1, 2022. The ICP Ordinance provides new workplace rights for independent contractors, freelancers and the self-employed. Seattle City Council passed the labor standard on June 14, 2021.
This ordinance requires covered hiring entities to provide:
- A notice of rights under the ICP ordinance before the independent contractor begins work.
- A pre-work written notice that identifies the proposed terms and conditions of work and the terms and conditions of payment before starting work.
- Timely payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of the pre-work written notice or contract. If left unspecified, then provide payment within 30 days after the completion of services under the contract.
- A written notice that gives itemized payment information each time that payment is made.
“When I first started as an independent art contractor, sometimes I felt like I was being treated less than or taken advantage of with my time or asked for extension of payment, only because there was no specific law attached. I’m glad to know that the city has created this ICP Ordinance and thought about independent contractors like me. I remember when I first got my business license to start taking work — this would’ve been helpful then, especially as a new, younger artist and design contractor to know there’s a law to back you,” said Shayla Hufana, Independent Contractor and Artist. “I suggest independent contractors take advantage of using a contract and sharing this ordinance, especially if a hiring entity is being difficult. I believe this new ordinance will help everything to run smoothly.”
“This ordinance will make the discussion I have with potential art and design clients easier and more straightforward. The pre-work written notice requirement will make sure I have the terms and conditions of the project in writing before I’m expected to start work. I’ve had potential clients ask me to start work before we’ve signed anything and that’s often an awkward conversation. Timely payment within 30 days is also important for my business accounting and operations,” Jasmine Iona Brown, Independent Contractor and Artist. “As a public artist I often have sub-contractors that I need to pay. It helps with my cash flow to get timely payment from my clients to pass on to my subcontractors. My CPA and I would also appreciate written payment notices to help with my bookkeeping and taxes. Payments for my public art projects are often split into multiple payments stretched out over months or even years.”
“Shayla’s and Jasmine’s experiences demonstrate why independent contractors, freelancers, and the self-employed in Seattle need the protections the ICP Ordinance will provide. We are pleased to engage these freelance artists to showcase their work and assist with our outreach efforts. Who better to tell the ICP story than independent contractors themselves? OLS is committed to protecting workers in a fast-changing economy – including those working in jobs that weren’t generally recognized just a few years ago,” said Steven Marchese, OLS Director.
Final rules for the ordinance were the result of an inclusive stakeholder engagement process and comment period. Stakeholder engagement included multiple meetings with workers, worker advocates, and impacted hiring entities.
OLS provides multiple resources on this law, including a Notice of Rights workplace poster, Model Pre-Work Written Notice, Model Written Notice – Itemized Payment Information, and Fact Sheet. The most updated resources can be found for download on this page or on the Resources page. Many resources, including the Notice of Rights workplace poster and model written notices, will also be available in Spanish and multiple other languages on the Language Access pages.
More information about the ICP Ordinance can be found on the OLS website here.
- Hiring Entities: Hiring Entities may contact OLS to request translation of model notices, assistance with compliance, or training via the Employer Inquiry form.
- Independent Contractors: Covered independent contractors have a right to make a complaint with OLS or file a lawsuit if a hiring entity violates this law. Independent contractors may file a complaint with OLS or ask a question via the Worker Inquiry form.
You can also call 206-256-5297 or email laborstandards@seattle.gov.
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