Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces the Suspension of Hazard Pay Under the Grocery Employee Hazard Pay Ordinance

Effective September 2, 2022, covered employers will no longer be required to pay the increased hazard pay under Seattle’s Grocery Employee Hazard Pay (GEHP) ordinance. On August 3, 2022, City Council voted to suspend the requirement for certain grocery businesses in Seattle to provide $4 per hour to their employees. The GEHP Ordinance went into effect on February 3, 2021.

Beginning on September 2, 2022, the following requirements apply:

• Suspension of hazard pay: the law no longer requires covered employers to pay hazard pay of $4 per hour to employees.
• Notice of Rights: covered employers must provide a Notice of Rights for a period of one year until September 2, 2023.
• Enforcement: Employees with complaints that their employer failed to pay hazard period between February 3, 2021, and September 2, 2022, can still contact the Office of Labor Standards (OLS) with their complaints for three years (until September 3, 2025). Please do not delay contacting the office to ensure you may exercise your rights under this ordinance. You can contact OLS by calling (206) 256-5297 or contact us online by filling out this form (click here).

“The GEHP Ordinance provided much needed financial relief for front line grocery store workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. As we transition, OLS will continue to help any worker who believes their rights may have been violated under this ordinance. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help,” said OLS Director Steven Marchese.

To learn more about Seattle’s labor standards please click here or contact the Office of Labor Standards at http://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards or call 206-256-5297.

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