CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to gig workers in Seattle; establishing labor standards requirements for paid sick and paid safe time for gig workers working in Seattle; and amending Sections 3.02.125 and 6.208.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 14.16, has been in effect since September 1, 2012 and requires employers to provide employees with paid leave to care for their personal and family members' health conditions or safety needs; and
WHEREAS, the Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance entitles employees to use "paid sick time" for absences related to care of a personal or family member's medical diagnosis, care or treatment of a health condition, illness, injury, or need for preventive medical care; and
WHEREAS, the Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance entitles employees to use "paid safe time" for absences related to all workplace closures due to public health emergencies, large employer workplace closures or reduced operations due to any health- or safety- related reasons, closures of a family member's school or place of care, and the need to obtain necessary services for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; and
WHEREAS, the new coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) disease is caused by a virus that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death and is classified by the World Health Organization as a worldwide pandemic; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has broadly spread throughout Washington State and remains a significant health risk to the community, especially members of our most vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, the definitions of "employee" and "employer" in local, state and federal law are broad, but food delivery network companies and transportation network companies rely on business models that treat gig workers as "independent contractors," thereby creating barriers for gi...
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