Washington Seattle Enacts App-Based Workers Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance

Beginning May 1, 2023, food delivery network company workers in Seattle—working for a company with more than 250 workers worldwide—are entitled to paid sick and safe time (PSST). Beginning January 13, 2024, all Seattle app-based workers—working for a 250-worker-count company—are entitled to PSST. For workers to be covered by the PSST they must, among other requirements, work in Seattle. For the company to be covered, it must be operating out of Seattle, but it doesn’t matter where its 250 workers are located. The 250 worker-count includes workers anywhere in the world and incorporates workers at the company’s chains, integrated enterprises, and franchises.

Accrual and use terms are included in the ordinance, along with pay calculations, verification, and notice requirements. The specifics of the ordinance are on the city’s website.

Action Items

If you have 250 or more employees anywhere in the world and incorporate employees at the company’s chains, integrated enterprises, and franchises, update your policy and procedures to ensure that all eligible employees are accruing Seattle PSST.

 

Washington Unjustified Searches of Employees’ Personal Vehicles Prohibited

Effective July 23, 2023, employers cannot search employees’ privately owned vehicles that are in the employer’s parking lot, garage, or on the access road to them. Unless it’s illegal, employees can keep private property in their vehicle and employers cannot require them to waive their privacy protections as an employment condition. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for exercising their legal rights.

 

The law has many exceptions. For instance, it does not apply:

• To employer-owned vehicles;
• When the employer needs to inspect the employee’s private vehicle—to ensure it’s reliable, safe, running, etc.—because the employer authorized its use for work-related activities; or
• When it is reasonably necessary to access the vehicle to prevent an immediate threat to human health, life, or safety.