Summary:
Seattle's Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has reached a settlement with Din Tai Fung restaurants, agreeing to pay $567,361 to 1,245 employees for alleged PSST and Wage Theft ordinance violations. The company will also implement policy changes, including a written PSST policy, compliant meal and rest break policies, and eliminating its attendance points policy. The settlement highlights the importance of compliance with local labor laws and the need for workers to know their rights in the workplace.
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has reached a settlement with Din Tai Fung restaurants in Seattle following an investigation into alleged violations of the city’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) and Wage Theft ordinances.
OLS investigated Din Tai Fung’s Pacific Place and University Village restaurants, as well as its DTF Prep Seattle location, and alleged that the company’s attendance policy improperly deterred employees from using their paid sick and safe time. The agency also found the company failed to provide employees with required meal and rest breaks.
As part of the settlement, Din Tai Fung agreed to pay a total of $567,361 to 1,245 current and former employees. The company will also implement several policy changes, including developing a written PSST policy, establishing compliant meal and rest break policies, and eliminating its attendance points policy.
One Din Tai Fung employee said the settlement affirms workers’ rights.
“We are thankful to the City of Seattle for protecting our rights as workers,” the employee said. “These are the values we represent as a city and community, and we will continue to fight for them.”
Another employee said the changes will improve workplace safety.
“It’s great to know that my rights as a worker are protected,” the employee said. “I’m happy to know that going forward, Din Tai Fung will be a safer place to work.”
OLS Director Steven Marchese said the case demonstrates the importance of compliance with local labor laws.
“The number of employees at a single restaurant who experienced PSST and wage theft violations highlights the need to increase awareness of these laws,” Marchese said. “It underscores the importance of workers knowing their rights in the workplace and serves as a reminder to businesses that compliance with Seattle labor laws is not optional – it’s a legal requirement, and workers’ rights must be respected.”
According to OLS, there are approximately 590 employees at the three Seattle Din Tai Fung locations that were investigated. The restaurants’ parent company employs at least 1,225 people across the United States.
Workers and members of the public can ask questions, file complaints, or provide information by calling 206-256-5297, emailing laborstandards@seattle.gov, or visiting the Office of Labor Standards website.
