Three Hotel Employers Settle with Seattle Labor Standards Office; Over $133,000 Returned to 11 Employees
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announced on Nov. 9 a settlement with three employers - CorTech LLC dba CorTech, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC dba Staybridge Suites and EVEN Hotel, and Hospitality Staffing Solutions, LLC dba Hospitality Staffing Solutions - over alleged violations of Seattle labor ordinances.
The alleged violations included the Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, the Protecting Hotel Employees from Injury Ordinance, and the Improving Access to Medical Care for Hotel Employees Ordinance. The companies agreed to settle for a total of $133,026.26 in back wages, interest, liquidated damages, civil penalties, and fines to 11 aggrieved workers.
Staybridge Suites and EVEN Hotel are two adjacent hotels in South Lake Union which contracted with two staffing agencies, CorTech and HSS. As joint employers of these workers, the hotel and staffing companies are subject to joint and several liability for the remedies. OLS found evidence indicating that the companies failed to make compliant medical expenditures for two groups of temporary employees, failed to pay all required premium pay for square footage over the pro-rated daily limit, and failed to provide regular notification of paid sick and safe time use, accrual, and balance to one group of workers.
"No worker should be denied the wages, benefits, or protections they have earned," said Mayor Katie Wilson. "This settlement demonstrates Seattle's commitment to protecting workers, holding bad actors accountable, and ensuring a level playing field for everyone."
"Hotels and other companies cannot pass along their legal responsibility to staffing companies to comply with Seattle labor laws," said OLS Director Steven Marchese. "Hotel workers are the foundation of Seattle's hospitality industry. Every worker, whether temporary or full-time, deserves to have their rights respected, receive the wages they're owed, and have access to basic protections like paid time off."
(Source: Seattle Office of Labor Standards)
Source: Seattle Office of Labor Standards
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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