Seattle Wage Theft Prevention and Harmonization Ordinance: Various Tools Updated, Resources Added
Authors: XpertHR Editorial Team
On December 17, 2015, Seattle Mayor Edward B. Murray signed the Wage Theft Prevention and Harmonization Ordinance amending the municipality's current labor laws addressing paid sick and safe time, job assistance, wage theft and minimum wage.
In general, the Harmonization Ordinance:
- Increases protections against retaliation;
- Modifies employer notice, posting, pay statement and payroll recordkeeping requirements;
- Places the burden of determining independent contractor status on employers;
- Strengthens enforcement procedures, including extending the statute of limitations for filing a claim; and
- Increases penalties and other remedies for aggrieved employees.
The following sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated accordingly:
- Employee Communications;
- Employee Discipline;
- FMLA;
- Minimum Wage;
- New Hire Paperwork;
- Other Leaves; and
- Payment of Wages.
The following Quick Reference charts have been updated:
- Paid Sick Leave by State and Municipality;
- Pay Statement and Pay Rate Notification Requirements by State; and
- Washington Workplace Labor and Employment Law Posters.
The following landing pages have been updated:
- Seattle, Washington Labor Law Poster;
- Seattle, Washington Notice of Employment Information; and
- Seattle, Washington Paid Sick and Safe Time Poster.
The following new landing pages have been added:
- Seattle, Washington Fair Chance Employment Poster; and
- Seattle, Washington Paid Sick and Safe Time Model Policy.
In addition, four new Legal Timetable entries have been added in regard to the following effective dates: