January - March 2020

Staff Pro, Inc., a large crowd management, event staffing, and consulting company, settled allegations under the Fair CHance Employment (FCE) ordinance. OLS alleged the company failed to identify the specific information it relied upon in denying an applicant a job. The total financial remedy was $1,066 to the applicant for a second violation of the ordinance.  

MOD Pizza, a large pizza company founded in Seattle with locations across the United States and UK, settled allegations under the FCE ordinance. OLS alleged the company failed to conduct a legitimate business reason analysis, failed to provide the applicant an opportunity to explain or correct, and failed to hold the position open for two days. The total financial remedy was $546.07 to the applicant.  

Sherwin Williams, a paint and paint supply company with ten locations in Seattle, settled allegations under the FCE Ordinance in a remand investigation following an employee appeal to the Hearing Examiner. The total financial remedy was $546.07 to the affected employee.  

Four Points by Sheraton, a large hotel, settled allegations under the Minimum Wage and Wage Theft ordinances. OLS alleged the employer paid the small employer minimum wage despite being a large employer. The total financial remedy was $129,900.25 to 66 affected workers.  

The Seattle Hearing Examiner recently affirmed an OLS determination against N I Painting. In that case, OLS found the employer retaliated against a worker for exercising his rights under the Wage Theft ordinance. Specifically, the worker complained about not being paid overtime pay at the required prevailing wage rate. At the hearing before the Hearing Examiner, Assistant City Attorney Jeremiah Miller presented testimony from Senior Investigator Sundar Sharma, the complainant/worker, and a former co-worker who corroborated the worker's testimony. The Hearing Examiner upheld OLS's recommended remedy of $8,170.05 to the affected worker. This case represents a significant legal victory and highlights the importance of the strong anti-retaliation provisions of Seattle's labor standards ordinances.  

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, a ramen restaurant in Capitol Hill, settled allegations under the Wage Theft and Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) ordinances. OLS alleged, among other things, the company failed to provide PSST prior to 2017, failed to pay correct overtime rates for some employees, and failed to pay minimum wage in some instances. The total financial remedy was $84,989.52, which included $84,749.32 to 384 employees and $240.20 to the City of Seattle.  

Puget Sound Plumbing, a plumbing and heating business with one location in Seattle and 15-20 Seattle employees, settled allegations under the FCE ordinance. OLS alleged the employer had a pre-employment job application that required applicants to disclose their criminal history before the employer could conduct an initial screening of qualified applicants. The total financial remedy was $546.07 to the applicant.

Lowell's Restaurant, a longstanding restaurant in Pike Place Market with approximately 45 employees, settled allegations under the Wage Theft and PSST ordinances. OLS alleged the employer failed to provide meal breaks to some workers, failed to provide rest breaks to most workers, and failed to consistently provide PSST. The total financial remedy was $483,005.06, which included $481,912.92 to 186 employees and $1,092.14 to the City of Seattle.

Flying Fish Restaurant, a seafood restaurant that is part of Fortune Overseas Investment Group with one location in Seattle and approximately 25-50 employees, settled allegations under the PSST ordinance. OLS alleged Flying Fish Restaurant failed to provide employees PSST. The total financial remedy was $20,783.18 to 39 affected employees.