Labor

1583 Requiring disclosure to customers of the percentage of automatic service charges paid to servers

2007-2008 Session

Background:

Neither federal nor state law requires businesses that impose automatic service charges to disclose the percentage of such charges that are paid to employees.

Summary:

Employers that provide food, beverages, entertainment, or porterage must disclose the percentage of automatic service charges that are paid directly to the employees serving the customers.

  • The disclosures must be in itemized receipts and menus provided to the customers.
  • The service charges are separately designated amounts collected from customers that are for services provided by employees or are described in such a way that customers might reasonably believe that the amounts are for services provided by employees.
  • The service charges are in addition to hourly wages paid to employees. Examples include charges designated as service charges, gratuities, delivery charges, and porterage charges.
2699 Recodifying RCW 19.48.130 as a section in the minimum wage act.

2007-2008 Session

Summary

This bill moves the service charge regulation to an agency that can enforce the law. Right now there is no enforcement for this provision, and putting the language in the Minimum Wage Act allows for enforcement. This is a technical fix bill. The Department of Labor & Industries has indicated they can absorb the cost of enforcement.
1055 Requiring workers to have licenses, certificates, or permits in their possession when performing work in certain construction trades

2009-2010 Session

Summary:

The Legislature finds that dishonest contractors sometimes hire unlicensed and uncertified persons to perform electrical, plumbing, and conveyance work. This practice gives them an unfair competitive advantage. Requiring persons to have licenses, certificates, permits, and endorsements (licenses) and photo identification in their possession while performing this work will help address the problems of the underground economy in the construction industry.

While performing electrical, plumbing, or conveyance work, persons must have licenses andphoto identification in their possession. They must produce licenses and photo identification upon request of an authorized representative of the Department of Labor and Industries (Department). They may be required to wear and visibly display licenses pursuant to Department rules. Licenses may include photo identification.