On December 20, 2022, domestic workers in Washington D.C. made history by winning a domestic workers bill of rights, giving essential rights and protections to those who work in private homes.
Under the law, Washington D.C. employers must provide:
- A written work agreement detailing the worker’s rights and the employer’s responsibilities
- Written records of hours worked and paid time off accrued
- No less than D.C.’s minimum wage
- Overtime pay after 40 hours worked per week
- Meal breaks
- Paid sick and safe time
- Workers’ compensation
- Protections against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
Additionally, employers must abide by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Sample Domestic Worker Contract
Hand in Hand has created a bilingual (English/Spanish) sample contract available as a fillable PDF.
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Contact D.C. Organizer Paola Henriquez at paola@domesticemployers.org.
Learn about health and safety in the home
Hand in Hand and the National Domestic Workers Alliance have produced a guide for D.C. Metro area domestic employers about their health and safety obligations under the law. Check out our Guide for Domestic Employers: Protecting Domestic Workers’ Health and Safety on the Job.
Additional Resources
Domestic Worker Timesheet for Record Keeping
