Three Hotel Employers Reach Settlement with Seattle Office of Labor Standards over Worker Rights Violations More Than $133,000 Returned to 11 Employees

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 11/09/2026 12:18 PM PST

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Cynthia Santana/ Communications Director
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email:cynthia.santana@seattle.gov

Three Hotel Employers Reach Settlement with Seattle Office of Labor Standards over Worker Rights Violations

More Than $133,000 Returned to 11 Employees

Seattle, WA (November 9, 2026) – The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces 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.

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 the alleged violations of the ordinances for a total of $133,026.26 in in back wages, interest, liquidated damages, civil penalties, and fines to 11 aggrieved 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. Our hospitality industry is vital to our economy and to keeping our city active, vibrant, and welcoming. By upholding consistent standards across the industry, we’re helping build a more resilient economy and a stronger Seattle for everyone."

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 to or on behalf of the two groups of temporary employees;
To pay all required premium pay for square footage over the pro-rated daily limit; and
To provide regular notification of PSST use, accrual, and balance to one group of workers.

“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. When we uphold and protect hotel workers’ rights, we strengthen the hospitality industry and help ensure visitors and guests receive the quality service they expect and deserve.”

“Securing this outcome sends a clear message that legal protections for workers are essential because they turn basic respect into real enforceable protections. This settlement reestablishes a baseline of dignity, respect, and a reminder within the hospitality industry that every room cleaned, every meal served, and every guest welcomed is built on the backbone of dedicated worker labor," said Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Citywide, Position 8).

IHG Management also agreed to audit its premium pay to its direct employees under the Protecting Hotel Employees from Injury Ordinance and pay any additional back wages it identifies.

Visit OLS’s website to learn more about Paid Sick and Safe Time and Hotel Employee Protections Ordinances or call 206-256-5297. OLS will never ask for immigration status.

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