Seattle’s Domestic Workers Standards Board and City’s Domestic Workers Rights Featured in Prominent National Publication

Seattle’s Domestic Workers Standards Board (DWSB) and domestic workers rights under the Domestic Workers Ordinance (DWO) are spotlighted in a New York Times opinion video focusing on the impact of the law and the DWSB's commitment to the well-being of domestic workers.

"The New Labor Playbook" produced by Chris and Nick Libbey and comedian Jeff Seal highlights minimum standards councils and their role in finding solutions to the challenges of domestic workers such as nannies, household cleaners, and fast-food workers earning a livable minimum wage. The opinion video can be viewed by clicking here.

Seattle is the first city in the United States to have a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which includes two laws that provide labor standards and civil rights protections. The Domestic Worker’s Ordinance provides labor standards protections, including minimum wage, rest break, and meal break rights. It also created a Domestic Workers Standards Board – the first of its kind in the nation. The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) is responsible for providing outreach, education, and enforcement of this law. The Fair Employment Practices Ordinance, which is overseen by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, provides civil rights protections for domestic workers. Both ordinances became effective July 1, 2019.

For more information on Seattle’s Domestic Workers Ordinance please visit the OLS webpage by clicking here. Information on Seattle’s Domestic Workers Standards Board can be found on the DWSB webpage here. For questions, please call 206-256-5297 or email laborstandards@seattle.gov. For more information about the Fair Employment Practices Ordinance, please visit the OCR webpage by clicking here.

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