April-June 2023
OLS investigated Ridwell, Inc. for alleged violations of the Wage Theft Ordinance and the PSST Ordinance. The company provides a subscription-based recycling service to residents of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and several other cities across the United States. OLS alleged Ridwell misclassified certain drivers as independent contractors when they were in fact employees and failed to provide those drivers with PSST, a written PSST policy, and required written notices of employment information. Ridwell settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $25,940.86 to 141 drivers.
OLS reached an informal resolution of allegations under the Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON). Allegations included failure to provide workers with a notice of rights regarding the law, failure to provide them with a written notice that gave specific itemized payment each time that payment was made, and failure to make timely payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contracts. In response to OLS’s Notice of Complaint, DON agreed to pay $5,921.59 for interest and liquidated damages to the six affected workers.
OLS reached an informal resolution of allegations under the ICP Ordinance with DoorDash, Inc., a large food delivery network company with over 250 Seattle gig workers. Allegations included failure to provide workers with a notice of rights regarding the law, failure to provide a pre-work written notice that complied with the ICP Ordinance, failure to make timely payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of a pre-work written notice or contract, and failure to compensate a worker for work performed after they notified DoorDash, Inc. that they did not receive payment due to fraudulent activity on their account. In response to OLS’s Notice of Complaint. DoorDash, Inc. acknowledged the worker did not receive payment and agreed to pay $1,095.71 for the work performed.
Integrity Energy Home Solutions NW, LLC dba Integrity Energy Systems settled with OLS following an investigation of alleged violations of the Fair Chance Employment (FCE) Ordinance. The employer, which operates one location in Seattle, agreed to pay a fine of $622.85 to the City of Seattle. In settlement, the employer also agreed to post the OLS Workplace Poster onsite and to implement a written policy to ensure that its practices comply with the Fair Chance Employment Ordinance.
The Language Connection, LLC, a language services agency based in Renton, Washington, agreed to an informal resolution under the Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance. Allegations included failure to provide a written notice that gave specific itemized payment each time that payment was made and failure to make timely payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of a pre-work written notice or contract. In response to OLS’s Notice of Complaint, The Language Connection, LLC agreed to pay $153.05 for the work performed and a $300 civil penalty remitted to the complainant.
OLS received a worker complaint alleging that Guru Nanak Restaurants Inc. dba IHOP was not compliant with the Commuter Benefit Ordinance. Although the company did not respond to OLS’s cure letter, it contacted Commute Seattle within one day of OLS’s direct follow-up contact. The employer elected the ORCA Business choice program and implemented a compliant policy effective May 2023.
OLS received a worker complaint alleging biotech research and development companies Cytel Inc. and Axio Research LLC were not compliant with the Commuter Benefit Ordinance. In response to OLS’s cure letter, the companies contacted Commute Seattle and elected a pre-tax benefits program. Additionally, they implemented a compliant policy effective and provided proof of compliance to OLS.
OLS investigated Construction Credit Corporation (Construction Credit) for alleged violations of the PSST Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance. Construction Credit employs up to five people at a given time and has one location within the City of Seattle. OLS alleged Construction Credit failed to provide PSST, notification of PSST, accrual of PSST and a PSST policy to employees. OLS further alleged Construction Credit failed to provide the correct minimum wage to employees for several years. Construction Credit settled the allegation and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $14,694.54 to six affected workers and a fine of $350.00 to the City of Seattle. Construction Credit also agreed to develop and implement a written PSST policy and have its management take a training on the City of Seattle labor ordinances.
OLS investigated Red Apple Market (Red Apple) for alleged violations of the Minimum Wage Ordinance. Red Apple employs up to 20 people at a given time and has multiple locations within the City of Seattle. OLS alleged Red Apple failed to provide the correct minimum wage to employees at one of its locations for several years between 2018 and 2022. Red Apple settled the allegation and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $5,331.15 to 21 affected workers.
OLS investigated Prosperity Foods, LLC dba Wingstop and Last Stop Wings, LLC dba Wingstop (Wingstop) for alleged violations of the PSST, Minimum Wage, Wage Theft, and Secure Scheduling Ordinances. Wingstop operates three Seattle locations, employs about 60 Seattle workers, and is part of a franchise network with more than 500 employees and 1,413 locations worldwide. OLS alleged Wingstop failed to pay employees the Seattle minimum wage, provide employees with written notice of employment information, provide employees with rest breaks and meal breaks, and post work schedules at least 14 days in advance. The former owners settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $388,992.81 to 189 affected workers and $762.30 to the City of Seattle.