The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) recently wrapped up an investigation involving an in-home childcare employer accused of wage theft. According to a report by Seattle's Official News, the employer, who had a nanny on staff for almost a year, failed to pay the full severance outlined in the nanny's employment contract upon her termination.
After the nanny voiced her right to the severance, the employer, whose name has not been disclosed, allegedly retaliated by withholding her pay. Yet the nanny who provided full-time care in the family's home will see some justice, as the employer agreed to a financial settlement. They will pay out $5,316.00 in back wages, interest, and penalties, which includes a charge for the retaliation.
"I’m so thankful for the wage theft recovery from the Office of Labor Standards in Seattle. Thanks again to OLS and the whole team for bringing about lawful accountability. I appreciate the laws in place that protect both the employer and the employee," the domestic worker told Seattle's Official News.
Seattle's labor laws, notably the Wage Theft Ordinance, demand that employers pay "all compensation owed by way of employment," a fact that the household employer agreed to respect going forward with any Seattle-based employees. In celebrating the settlement, OLS Director Steven Marchese highlighted the breadth of Seattle labor standards designed to protect domestic workers, including those who operate as independent contractors. With the same breath, hardly understanding the law, some employers still fail to comply fully with these protections.
As Jordan Goldwarg, a member of the Domestic Workers Standards Board, commented, the settlement underlines both the city's commitment to upholding these standards and its determination to support domestic workers' rights. "We hope that this settlement will help all employers in the city to comply with their responsibilities to domestic workers, while also demonstrating to workers that there are remedies when their rights are violated," Goldwarg stated.
