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, WA (March 7, 2023) – The Office of Labor standards (OLS) announces the recipients of $1.1 million dollars in Business Outreach and Education funding (BOEF) to facilitate labor standards outreach, education and compliance assistance for small businesses operating in Seattle.
“This kind of outreach and education program is a win-win for workers and small businesses,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “By tapping into established community relationships, we are providing small businesses tailored guidance to best support their employees and answering questions to ensure compliance with Seattle’s strong worker protections. In partnership together, we’ll keep striving to make this city a place where all workers and small businesses can thrive.”
The City has selected six organizations and partnerships to receive funding for a two-year funding cycle that begins on January 1, 2023 and ends on December 31, 2024.
The organizations to receive funding include the following:
- Brothers United in Leadership Development $112,550.00
- Business Impact Northwest $106,510.00
- Ethnic Chambers of Commerce Coalition $340,000.00
- Latino Community Fund $239,100.00
- Tabor 100 $114,660.00
- Ventures $187,180.00
“Tabor 100 Works to give African American entrepreneurs and the community at large the knowledge and skills to grow their business while staying compliant. The BOEF funding has allowed us to provide educational workshops, webinars, and one on one technical assistance,” said Aleyda Martinez, BOEF contract Manger for Tabor 100.
“Our small businesses are key component in building a Seattle culture that supports the economic dignity of all workers. 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. Seattle’s ordinances are the foundation to providing a stable and healthy workplace benefiting both businesses and their employees. We are excited to announce this next generation of BOEF partners and look forward to working together,” said OLS Director Steven Marchese.
The funding 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 Ordinance, Domestic Workers Ordinance, Commuter Benefits, Secure Scheduling, Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance, 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.
###