DoorDash to pay $1.6M over alleged labor violations in Seattle

Last-mile delivery company DoorDash has agreed to a $1.6 million settlement to workers and the city of Seattle for alleged violations of the city’s Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance (PSST), according to a statement from the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) earlier this week.  

The labor standards investigation alleged that the company failed to establish a system for workers to request and use paid sick and safe time leave, compensate workers for use of sick leave, and provide a monthly notice of sick time balance information to its workers. 

A DoorDash spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.   

The company will pay $1.12 million in PSST credits to approximately 26,500 DoorDash employees, $500,064 in cash to 648 workers and $8,629 in fines to the city of Seattle. 

The investigation was launched by the Office of Labor Standards, following multiple complaints from DoorDash employees, the city said in a press release.  

The city noted that it’s the Office of Labor Standards’ second investigation into alleged violations of the ordinance by DoorDash. In 2021, OLS reached a settlement with the company for failure to accurately credit some workers with PSST days. DoorDash paid $15,504 to 10 workers and $144,931 to 891 workers for unused accrued PSST days in that settlement. 

DoorDash also was hit with a $5.3 million settlement over paid sick leave in 2021 by the city of San Francisco.  

“Us gig workers have been met with conditions during the pandemic that were often risky. Having someone to advocate for gig workers lets us know that we have support and a way to have a voice,” said Tessa C., DoorDash worker, in a written statement. “I am very grateful for this timely and judicious settlement. Thank you, Seattle City Council, for legislating PSST–for when we need a sick day.” 

OLS Director Steven Marchese said in a statement that the city “led the way” on gig worker rights during the pandemic. “OLS will continue to enforce gig worker protections and all Seattle labor standards while providing support to businesses to ensure compliance,” Marchese said.