There are over 100,000 domestic workers in Washington State, with roughly 30,000 residing in Seattle.
In July 2018, Hand in Hand fought alongside Seattle domestic workers for a bill of rights. By organizing employers in support of the legislation, we made Seattle the first city to pass a Domestic Workers Ordinance! The law provided long overdue rights to domestic workers, including minimum wages and rest and meal breaks. The ordinance also created a Domestic Workers Standards Board, the first board of its kind composed of domestic workers and employers. The board continues to identify and advocate for additional policies and advise the city about outreach and enforcement of the ordinance.
In September 2018, the City further expanded domestic worker rights to include paid sick and safe time by expanding the city’s Fair Employment Practices law. Both ordinances went into effect on July 1, 2019. In 2026, additional amendments were added to the ordinance, which will be in effect on July 1, 2027.
Building on the success of our win in Seattle, the Washington Domestic Workers Coalition began a campaign in 2020 to win a statewide bill of rights. After 3 campaigns and 6 years, the policy passed in 2026 and will become law on July 1st, 2027. This bill improves upon some of the provisions in the Seattle Bill and includes a written contract between the worker and employer.
If a nanny, house cleaner, or home attendant supports you or your family and you would like to learn more about being a fair employer, or to get involved in supporting the movement for Domestic Worker rights in Washington, please contact us at [email protected].
Learn more about compliance with the Seattle Domestic Workers Ordinance.
Building on the success of our win in Seattle, the Washington Domestic Workers Coalition began a campaign in 2020 to win a statewide bill of rights. With over 100,000 domestic workers in Washington, passing this policy would provide crucial protections
In 2018 the Seattle City Council passed the Seattle Domestic Workers Ordinance, the first municipal law of its kind in the country. The law increased protections for Seattle domestic workers and created more guidance for domestic employers to understand how
Building on the success of our win in Seattle, the Washington Domestic Workers Coalition began a campaign in 2020 to win a statewide bill of rights. With over 100,000 domestic workers in Washington, passing this policy would provide crucial protections
In the fall of 2020, Hand in Hand members and Domestic Worker organizations joined a campaign to support the Domestic Workers Standards Boards request for a $150,000 increased budget to implement the Domestic Worker Ordinance. Hand in Hand employers lobbied
