Several King County cities, including Seattle, require hotels to retain incumbent workers for a transition period when the property changes hands, modeled on Seattle's Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative passed in 2016.
Seattle voters passed Initiative 124 in 2016, replaced and expanded by 2019 Council legislation under SMC chapters 14.25 through 14.28. Among other protections, hotels with 60 or more rooms must offer continued employment to incumbent workers for 90 days when ownership or operator changes. Workers cannot be terminated without cause during the transition, except for performance reasons. Unincorporated King County does not have a general retention rule, but covered hotels in Seattle, SeaTac, and other cities are subject to retention and other protections. State labor law preempts wage but not retention rules.
Failing to provide retention offers, retaliating against retained workers, or terminating without cause during the 90-day window can trigger lawsuits, back pay, reinstatement, and civil penalties under city wage and labor laws.
King County, WA
In unincorporated King County, fences 6 feet or less in height may be built on or within property lines without a building permit. Fences over 6 feet require...
King County, WA
Unincorporated King County's marine shoreline along Puget Sound and Vashon-Maury Island is regulated under the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), the King...
King County, WA
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King County, WA
In unincorporated King County, a one-story detached storage shed of 200 square feet or less, accessory to a residential or agricultural use, is exempt from a...
King County, WA
Unincorporated King County requires private swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least five feet high under K.C.C. 16.70.020, with self-closing/self...
King County, WA
King County Ordinance 18467 (2017) limits county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.16...
See how King County's hotel worker retention rules stack up against other locations.
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