The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has completed an investigation into alleged wage theft by a local in-home childcare employer. The case involved a Seattle household that employed a nanny for nearly a year. The employer reportedly did not pay the full severance required by the employment contract when the nanny was terminated. The investigation found that the employer did not provide all compensation as required by Seattle’s Wage Theft Ordinance. This ordinance requires payment of all promised wages and benefits.
Following the investigation, the employer agreed to pay the nanny $5,316.00. This amount includes back wages, interest, and civil penalties. It also covers a penalty for retaliation after the employer withheld pay when the nanny asserted her contractual rights. The settlement requires the employer to comply with the ordinance in any future employment of Seattle-based workers.
The nanny thanked OLS for its support and assistance in recovering the owed wages. OLS Director Steven Marchese stated that domestic workers in Seattle are protected by several labor standards, including the Domestic Workers Ordinance, Minimum Wage Ordinance, and Wage Theft Ordinance. He encouraged workers to contact OLS for help, regardless of their employment or immigration status…