Revised Rules Proposed for City of Seattle Minimum Wage Ordinance

by | March 17, 2017

Employers had until the end of February to comment on proposed changes to proposed revisions to Chapter 90 Rules for Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance (SMC 14.19). The revisions were made to put the rules in compliance with Initiative 1433 (WA Minimum Wage) and the Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance. Many of the proposed revisions are not substantive but for form only. However, the revisions do clarify what it means to be “typically based outside of the City working in the City on an occasional basis.” It is supposed to mean the “employee works for an employer outside the geographic boundaries of Seattle for more than 50% of work hours in a year.” In addition, the proposed revision clarifies that employers must keep records of tips, service charges, payment toward individual employee medical benefits, and actuarial value of medical benefits to demonstrate payment of minimum wage and minimum compensation.

A summary chart of the changes can be found here. There is also a chart that compares Initiative 1433 and Seattle Minimum Wage in the same location.