The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has unveiled the final rules surrounding the App-Based Worker Deactivation Rights (ABWDR) Ordinance, a piece of legislation designed to protect gig workers from unfair deactivation practices by network companies. According to the City of Seattle, the key points of the ordinance include making certain types of deactivations unlawful and requiring network companies to provide clear policies tied to their safe and efficient operations.

Under the new ordinance, network companies are mandated to disclose their deactivation policies and provide valid grounds for deactivating workers. These steps aim to ensure that companies cannot indiscriminately sever ties with workers without substantial reasoning. The OLS stipulates that before most deactivations occur, companies are required to follow specific procedures.

A significant aspect of the ABWDR Ordinance is the right it grants app-based workers to challenge direct deactivations. This ensures that their side of the story can be heard before making a final decision. Furthermore, network companies must give app-based workers prior notice of impending deactivation and access to records that substantiate the reasons for the deactivations when they occur.