148 Gig Workers Impacted
For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@aol.com
Seattle Office of Labor Standards Reaches Settlement with HungryPanda for More Than $186,000
148 Gig Workers Impacted
Seattle, WA – (December 14, 2022) The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) investigated HungryPanda US Inc. dba HungryPanda, a Food Delivery Network Company (FDNC), 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 $186,336.86 included $179,145.48 in back wages, interest, liquidated damages, and civil penalties to 148 gig workers and $7,191.38 in fines to the City of Seattle.
OLS alleged that for a time, pursuant to the Gig Worker PSST Ordinance, HungryPanda:
- failed to provide PSST to workers;
- failed to provide workers with notification of PSST balance;
- failed to provide workers with the company’s PSST policy; and
- failed to provide workers with a notice of rights.
Under the Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance, OLS alleged the company, for a time:
- failed to provide premium pay;
- failed to itemize premium pay; and
- failed to provide workers with a notice of rights.
HungryPanda has over 20 workers in Seattle and over 350 workers worldwide.
“This is the third settlement we announced this week with companies over alleged violations of gig workers’ rights under these ordinances. Overall, $1,094,974 was returned to 505 gig workers. The Gig Worker PSST and Premium Pay Ordinances provided important benefits for front line workers during the pandemic. With the recent lifting of the COVID-19 emergency order, companies are no longer required to provide premium pay to gig workers. However, companies are still responsible for complying with certain aspects under the Gig Worker PSST Ordinance until April 2023, including PSST accrual and use. Furthermore, violations that occurred while the laws were fully in effect will be enforced through 2025,” said Steven Marchese OLS Director.
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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