More Than $180,000 Returned to 168 Gig Workers
For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces Settlement with Fantuan Delivery
More Than $180,000 Returned to 168 Gig Workers
Seattle, WA (December 13, 2022) – The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) investigated WA Fan Tuan Inc. dba Fantuan Delivery, a food delivery network company, for alleged violations of the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance and the Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance. The total financial remedy of $197,855.55 included $180,589.62 in back wages, interest, liquidated damages, and civil penalties to 168 gig workers and $17,265.93 in fines to the City of Seattle.
Under the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance OLS alleged the company:
- failed to provide PSST to workers for the first 90 days after the PSST Ordinance was enacted;
- failed to provide workers with notification of PSST balance for a period of time;
- failed to include required information in the company’s PSST policy including information about the company’s verification requirements and the law’s prohibition against retaliation; and
- failed to comply with the law’s verification provisions by requesting confirmation of PSST use from a worker after the worker had used two days of PSST rather than waiting until after three days of use as the law requires and then inappropriately denying PSST.
Under the Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance OLS alleged the company:
- failed to provide premium pay when the ordinance was first enacted; and
- failed to itemize premium pay for a period of time.
After OLS began its investigation, Fantuan Delivery paid workers approximately $51,523.75 in back pay for premium pay that was owed between December 29, 2020 – February 3, 2021.
“These ordinances have provided basic and important protections for gig workers, such as paid sick and safe time, during the pandemic. Although the COVID-19 emergency order was recently lifted, some benefits under these laws continue until April 2023 including PSST accrual and use. In addition, OLS continues to have enforcement authority through 2025 for violations that occurred while the laws were fully in effect and will continue to vigorously enforce these laws. OLS recognizes the importance of gig workers and how the gig economy has reshaped the future of work globally and right here in Seattle. OLS is here to support gig workers and all workers in Seattle to ensure their rights are protected,” said Steven Marchese, OLS Director.
Fantuan Delivery, which is owned by Just Orders Enterprise Corporation, has over 50 workers in Seattle and over 4,000 workers worldwide.
For more information on the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance please visit the OLS website here. For information on the Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance please click here.
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