CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE related to imposing a regulatory fee on businesses based on the number of their employees to fund the regulatory functions of the Office of Labor Standards; and adding a new Chapter 6.210 to Title 6 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 6.208.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, in 2014 the City enacted Ordinance 124643 to establish the Office of Labor Standards, and the functions of that office include administering and enforcing City of Seattle ordinances that regulate business activity including ordinances relating to minimum wage and minimum compensation (Chapter 14.19), paid sick and safe time (Chapter 14.16), use of criminal history in employment decisions (Chapter 14.17), wage and tip compensation requirements (Chapter 14.20), and secure scheduling requirements (Chapter 14.22); and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the City enacted Ordinance 124960, prescribing additional remedies, strengthening procedures to enforce and enhance implementation of ordinances relating to minimum wage and minimum compensation (Chapter 14.19), paid sick and safe time (Chapter 14.16), use of conviction and arrest records in employment decisions (Chapter 14.17), and/or wage and tip compensation requirements (Chapter 14.20), and recognizing that data-driven directed investigations are more effective than complaint-based investigations at creating and maintaining employer compliance with labor standards; and
WHEREAS, swift and robust enforcement of Seattle's labor standards ordinances through investigations by the Office of Labor Standards ensures that employees will receive the benefit of the wages, benefits and other protections established by Seattle's labor standards ordinances, which together enhance wage equity, create a fair and healthy economy for workers, and curbs violations of civil rights for all workers, which fall disproportionately on people of color and on wom...
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