The Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance of the City of Seattle will go into effect on September 1, 2022, according to the Office of Labor Standards (OLS).
The ICP Ordinance grants independent contractors, freelancers, and self-employed individuals greater workplace rights.
On June 14, 2021, the Seattle City Council approved the labour standard.
According to this law, covered employing firms must offer:
- a warning of the independent contractor’s rights under the ICP ordinance before they start working.
- A formal pre-work notice that details the anticipated terms and conditions of the job as well as the terms and circumstances of payment is required.
- timely payment in line with the pre-work written notice’s or contract’s terms and conditions. If not stated otherwise, payment must be made within 30 days following the conclusion of the contracted services.
- a printed statement that details each payment’s itemised breakdown in detail.
“When I initially began working as an independent artist contractor, I sometimes felt that I was being treated unfairly, being cheated out of my time, or being asked for a payment extension simply because there was no explicit legislation linked.
I appreciate that the city gave independent contractors like myself consideration while drafting the ICP Ordinance.
Shayla Hufana, an independent contractor and artist, said, “I remember when I first obtained my business licence to start accepting work – this would’ve been beneficial then, particularly as a fresh, younger artist and design contractor to know there’s a law to support you.
“In particular, if a recruiting organisation is being tough, I advise independent contractors to benefit by utilising a contract and sharing this legislation. I think the new law will make things easier to manage.
“This ordinance will make my conversations with possible customers for my art and design work simpler and more direct.
I shall get a written copy of the project’s terms and conditions before I am expected to begin working thanks to the pre-work written notification requirement.
Potential customers have asked me to begin work before we have signed anything, and that discussion is often difficult.
For the bookkeeping and operations of my firm, timely payment is also crucial. Independent contractor and artist Jasmine Iona Brown.
“As a performing artist, I frequently have to pay subcontractors. Receiving prompt payments from my customers, which I can then transfer to my subcontractors, helps me with my cash flow.
I would also need printed payment notes to assist with my accounting and taxes, as well as with my CPA.
My public art projects’ fees are often made in many instalments over the course of months or even years.
“Shayla’s and Jasmine’s stories show why Seattle’s self-employed, independent contractors, and freelancers need the safeguards the ICP Ordinance will provide.
We are thrilled to partner with these independent artists to promote their creations and support our community outreach initiatives.
Independent contractors themselves are the ideal spokespersons for the ICP.
OLS Director Steven Marchese said, “OLS is devoted to safeguarding employees in a fast-changing industry, particularly individuals working in occupations that weren’t commonly recognised just a few years ago.
The ordinance’s final regulations are the outcome of a thorough stakeholder consultation process and comment period.
Numerous meetings with employees, worker activists, and affected hiring organisations were part of the stakeholder engagement process.
OLS offers a variety of information on this topic, including a Fact Sheet, Model Pre-Work Written Notice, Model Written Notice – Itemized Payment Information, and a Notice of Rights workplace poster.
On this page or the Materials page, you may obtain the most recent resources.
On the Language Access website, a number of materials, including the Notice of Rights workplace poster and sample written notifications, will also be accessible in Spanish and a number of other languages.
- Hiring Entities: Using the Employer Inquiry form, hiring entities may get in touch with OLS to ask for model notifications that have been translated as well as help with compliance or training.
- Independent Contractors: If an employing company breaches this legislation, covered independent contractors have the right to submit a complaint with OLS or a lawsuit.
Independent contractors may use the Worker Inquiry form to submit a complaint to OLS or ask a question.
You may also contact laborstandards@seattle.gov via phone at (206) 256-5297.