April-June 2024
Amazon Logistics, Inc. (Amazon Flex), a large delivery network company, agreed to an informal resolution under the Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance. Allegations included 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. In response to OLS’s Notice of Complaint, Amazon Logistics, Inc. (Amazon Flex) agreed to pay $188 for the work performed.
OLS investigated Big Bang Enterprises dba T-ROC Global, LLC for alleged violations of the Fair Chance Employment Ordinance. The international branding and consulting company has approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. They do not operate any Seattle locations but place employees in client-locations in Seattle. OLS alleged the employer violated the FCE by inquiring whether the CP had a felony during his screening application and failing to provide CP with a reasonable opportunity to explain or correct the information on which T-ROC Global relied in rescinding the job offer. The company settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $665.30 to the complainant. The company also agreed to modify its job application, develop and implement a written FCE policy, and ensure its staff involved in the hiring or supervision of employees in Seattle attend OLS’s online FCE training.
OLS investigated Bruno Investments, Inc., dba West Seattle Nursery and its owner for alleged violations of the Wage Theft Ordinance. West Seattle Nursery has a single location and less than 50 employees. OLS alleged the company failed to pay tips owed to employees working at its onsite Coffee Bar during the period of November 2021 to June 2023. The company settled the allegation and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $1,389.88, including $1,196.65 in back wages and $193.23 in interest to 21 workers.
OLS investigated D. Lark, Inc. dba McDonald’s for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling Ordinance at its restaurant on Holman Road NW Seattle. The franchisee operates several McDonald’s restaurants in Seattle and has more than 1,500 employees statewide. OLS alleged the employer failed to provide employees with 14 days’ advance notice of work schedules. D. Lark, Inc. settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $53,422.86 to 146 employees and $365.91 to the City of Seattle.
OLS issued a determination of a violation against NRBM LLC dba Local Coffee Spot for violations under the Wage Theft Ordinance. OLS found that Local Coffee Spot, currently operating at three Seattle locations, failed to pay an employee for hours worked, as well as failed to maintain payroll records and display a required workplace rights poster. The total financial remedy was $4,381.82, which included $2,552.24 to the affected employee and $1,829.58 to the City of Seattle.
Phantom Labs, Inc. dba PHNTM, a multimedia production company agreed to an informal resolution under the Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance. Allegations included 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, Phantom Labs, Inc. dba PHNTM agreed to pay $450 for work performed.
OLS investigated Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling and the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinances. The fast-casual sandwich shop has approximately 6,000 employees worldwide and operated four locations in Seattle. Under the Secure Scheduling Ordinance, OLS alleged the company failed to provide employees with a written work schedule at least 14 days in advance at its Sixth Avenue and Lenora Street location and failed to pay employees at one and one-half times the employee’s scheduled rate of pay for hours worked less than ten hours apart. OLS further alleged that the company failed to have a written PSST policy, failed to provide updated balance information of PSST when employees were paid, and failed to allow use of PSST in accordance with the PSST Ordinance. The company reached a settlement with OLS and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $99,083.18 to 186 affected workers and $2,661.20 to the City of Seattle.
OLS investigated Sandwich SC LLC dba Jimmy John’s for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling, Minimum Wage, and Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinances within the City of Seattle. Jimmy John’s has more than 500 employees and 500 locations worldwide. OLS alleged the restaurant failed to pay employees for employer-initiated schedule changes, provide the minimum compensation required for two employees, and provide PSST accrual for some employees. Jimmy John’s settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $624,849.20 to 853 employees and $150.80 to the City of Seattle.
OLS investigated the sushi restaurant S N & R LLC dba Kisaku under its former ownership for alleged violations of the Wage Theft and Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinances. OLS investigated allegations that the restaurant, which had one Seattle location, unlawfully permitted its owner to participate in a tip pool with employees, failed to establish a written paid sick leave policy, and follow other requirements of the PSST Ordinance. Kisaku reached a settlement with OLS and agreed to pay $39,282.19 in back wages, interest, and civil penalties to 59 employees, and $133.06 in fines to the City of Seattle.
OLS investigated Sunset Cliffs LLC dba Chick-fil-A Aurora Ave N & 130th for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling Ordinance. The franchise restaurant has approximately 80 employees and one Seattle location. OLS alleged the employer failed to provide access to hours for existing employees before hiring new employees from an external applicant pool and failed to pay some employees at one and a one-half times the employee’s pay rate for hours worked less than 10 hours apart. The company settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $12,675.33 to 21 employees and $1,245.70 to the City of Seattle. The company also agreed to develop and implement a written Secure Scheduling policy to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance.
OLS investigated The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling Ordinance's requirement to provide 14 days' advance notice of schedules to its employees at its downtown Seattle restaurant location. The company settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $148,800.00 in civil penalties to 372 employees and $1,330.60 to the City of Seattle in fines. The company also agreed to develop and implement a written SSO policy and undergo management training.
OLS investigated Uber Eats for alleged violations of the App-Based Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance. The food delivery network company operates worldwide and has thousands of gig workers in Seattle. OLS alleged the company failed to provide a small number of its workers with accurate PSST accrual balances which impacted their ability to use PSST. The company settled the allegations and agreed to credit 49 workers with additional PSST days totaling $9,140.94 and pay these workers a total of $30,461.29 in additional financial remedies.