BUILD is focusing on Labor Standards to help educate and inform our community about their rights and responsibilities related to labor standards as employees or employers in the city of Seattle. Seattle Labor Standards cover all employees working in Seattle regardless of an employee’s immigration status. Seattle Labor Standards apply to all businesses and organizations operating in Seattle.
City of Seattle OLS Resources
Click the links below to access some FREE resources from the City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) for employees and employers in the City of Seattle.
BUILD Labor Standards: Empower Your Business Series
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BUILD is excited about a new partnership with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County in 2025 to help empower small businesses. This partnership provides an opportunity for us to help strengthen entrepreneurial growth, success, and resilience within the Black community. Join us for our upcoming lunch and learn sessions on topics like Hiring & Independent Contractors (February 11th), Budgeting and Record Keeping (March 28th), and Minimum Wage and Payroll Requirements (May 28th).
Each lunch and learn will be a virtual webinar, designed to help provide relevant information along with tips and tricks that can be used to take your business to the next level.
Register today for our first webinar in the series on Hiring and Independent Contractor Requirements. Learn about preparing your business to hire employees, engage with independent contractors, and remain in compliance with relevant city and county ordinances. This event is FREE and Pre-Registration is required by February 9th.
2025 BUILD x City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards
BUILD proudly announces that we've renewed our partnership with the City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards for through 2025. Our continued partnership allows us to continue informing the Black community of their rights as employees and their responsibilities as business/organization owners and leaders, when it comes to labor standards in the city. We are continuing to partner with the Office of Labor Standards for their Community Outreach Education Fund (COEF) and their Business Outreach Education Fund (BOEF), focusing on the community members and businesses in the Arts & Entertainment category.
Why Arts & Entertainment? Oftentimes, the Black community can be taken advantage of when it comes to our creative ideas, products, and services. So much of what we see today in popular culture has been positively impacted by Black culture. To help our Black creative community understand how to protect themselves, their rights, and their responsibilities in Seattle, we chose to focus on this category of work. We look forward to connecting with many Black creatives, whether DJs, musicians, dancers, painters, actors, visual artists, graphic artists, and more, to help them learn about labor standards.
BUILD Labor Standards Podcast
Learn more about our BUILD Labor Standards initiative and why this information is so important for the Black community through our BUILD Labor Standards Podcast.
Check out Season 1, hosted by our brother of BUILD, Deaunte Damper, and Season 2, hosted by our sister of BUILD, Kelly R. Guy. Check out how they connect with the community, our partners, and our team to dive deeper and answer the question, What are Labor Standards? Listen to or watch all episodes on all BUILD platforms.
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BUILD Labor Standards for Business Trainings
Check out our series on BUILD Labor Standards for Business. Watch our videos that highlight the most common ordinances and how businesses can remain in compliance while operating in the city of Seattle. Click the links below to watch and to learn more about the ordinances in detail.
Know Your Rights - Current OLS Ordinances
Wage Theft is REAL!
If you (or someone you know) are NOT being paid fairly as an employee in Seattle for overtime or making the required minimum wage, reach out to BUILD for assistance.
Use the link below to learn more about this ordinance and to ensure you are receiving fair treatment from your employer.
Independent Contractors have rights too!
If you are an Independent Contractor working in the City of Seattle, be sure to learn about your rights under the Independent Contractor Protection Ordinance! Learn more about your rights under your contract and being paid in a timely manner.
Use the link below to learn more and contact BUILD if you need assistance.
Rest Breaks and Fair Scheduling
Remember that employees must receive standard rest breaks and lunch periods, based on the hours worked. Also, they MUST know their schedule in advance and be permitted to have input on their schedule. Don't think you're receiving your breaks or an interactive scheduling process, contact us below.
Job Applications cannot ask about Criminal History
Did you know that in the City of Seattle an employer CANNOT inquire about your criminal history on a job application?
If you think you've been unfairly asked for this information, contact BUILD for assistance or click the link below to learn more about the Fair Chance Employment Act.
Have Questions? Let's Chat!
If you think you have an issue with your employer or need assistance as a business/organization with compliance? Please provide your info below to get in touch with a BUILD representative. Protection of identifying information, language/interpretive services, and reasonable accommodations are available upon request.