Summary:
Rivas Painting Inc. has agreed to pay $112,734.05 to 43 affected workers and $8,288.59 to the City of Seattle after an investigation by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards found that the company had violated the city's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance. The company had allegedly failed to provide employees with a written PSST policy or notice of their accrued sick time, did not properly track that accrual, and denied employees the ability to use their accrued leave. As part of the settlement, Rivas Painting has agreed to implement a compliant PSST policy, notify employees of their PSST balances with every paycheck, and provide back accrual of PSST to current workers.
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has reached a settlement with Rivas Painting Inc., doing business as Rivas Painting, following allegations of multiple violations of the city’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance.
The agreement requires the company to pay a total of $112,734.05 in financial remedies to 43 affected workers and $8,288.59 to the City of Seattle. The OLS investigation found that Rivas Painting allegedly failed to provide employees with a written PSST policy or notice of their accrued sick time, did not properly track that accrual, and denied employees the ability to use their accrued leave.
As part of the settlement, Rivas Painting has agreed to implement a compliant PSST policy, notify employees of their PSST balances with every paycheck, and provide back accrual of PSST to current workers.
“One should never be afraid of doing what is right. Unfortunately, situations like this happen in many workplaces on a daily basis, and it is crucial that they occur less and less, with the law being upheld and respected at all times. Let this be a reminder that standing up for what is fair not only protects our rights, but also helps pave the way for a better and more just workplace for everyone,” said a Rivas worker.
“When employees come forward and report workplace injustices, OLS investigators can use this information to conduct investigations and, in many circumstances, negotiate settlements that enable workers to get paid what they are owed under the law,” said OLS Director Steven Marchese. “Employers cannot neglect essential workplace protections like PSST, and OLS is pleased to resolve this matter with Rivas, providing recovery to its employees and certainty for the employer. Our mission is to enforce Seattle’s labor laws, ensuring that workers are treated fairly and receive the wages they’re rightfully owed.”
Seattle’s PSST Ordinance requires employers to provide paid leave to employees for medical or safety-related reasons, including caring for themselves or a family member.
