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:

The following Quick Reference charts have been updated:

The following landing pages have been updated:

The following new landing pages have been added:

In addition, four new Legal Timetable entries have been added in regard to the following effective dates: