October - December 2020
Aimco, a nation-wide apartment investment and management company that operates one apartment community in Seattle, settled allegations under the Fair Chance Employment (FCE) Ordinance. The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) alleged Aimco failed to notify an applicant of its intent to make an adverse employment decision on the basis of criminal history and failed to provide two business days for the applicant to respond to, correct, or explain the results of their background check. The total financial remedy was $546.07 to the affected applicant.
GoPuff, a large digital delivery service, negotiated an informal resolution under the Premium Pay for Gig Workers Ordinance after an OLS inquiry into compliance with the law. Following a voluntary internal audit, the company paid a total financial remedy of $102,673.20 to 71 workers.
MOD Pizza, a large pizza restaurant chain with nine locations in Seattle, settled allegations under the Secure Scheduling Ordinance. OLS alleged the company failed to provide schedules 14 days in advance at one Seattle location. The total financial remedy was $12,300 to 30 affected employees.
Seattle Aquarium, a nonprofit in downtown Seattle with approximately 130 employees, settled allegations under the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance. OLS alleged the Aquarium prevented employees from using PSST due to closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During negotiations, the Seattle Aquarium took several voluntary steps to remedy the alleged violations. The total financial remedy was $9,491.45 to 103 affected employees.
Euromarket Designs Inc. dba Crate & Barrel, a large retail establishment specializing in housewares, furniture, and home accessories with over 122 locations worldwide, one location in Seattle, and roughly 80 Seattle employees, settled allegations under the Secure Scheduling Ordinance. OLS alleged the company failed to provide employees with 14 days' advance notice of their work schedules; required employees to work closing and opening shifts separated by less than 10 hours; and failed to offer additional hours to existing employees before hiring outside employees. The total financial remedy was $27,954.31 to 89 affected employees.
NuWest Group, a large staffing and recruiting agency in the technology, science, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, and Natus Medical, Inc., a large manufacturer of infant health diagnostic and monitoring devices and related software, settled allegations under the FCE Ordinance. OLS alleged the employers denied a position to a candidate on the basis of criminal history without providing two business days for the applicant to respond with explanatory information or evidence of rehabilitation, and did not conduct a required legitimate business reason analysis to determine whether the specifics of the criminal record affected the candidate's ability to perform the particular role. The total financial remedy was $546.07 to a single applicant.
Emerald City Pizza, LLC dba Pizza Hut, a large pizza delivery company which previously operated three Seattle locations but no longer operates in the city, settled allegations under the PSST and Secure Scheduling Ordinances. OLS alleged, among other things, that the company failed to have a fully compliant PSST policy, failed to provide 14 days' advance notice of work schedules, and failed to pay premium pay for work schedule changes. The total financial remedy was $71,143.86 to 124 affected former employees.