Fighting for Justice: A Domestic Worker’s Victory and Why We Need a Bill of Rights
In Seattle, thousands of domestic workers—nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers—work without the most basic labor protections. Many face wage theft, unfair working conditions, and employer exploitation. While Seattle has labor laws that protect some domestic workers, they still lack clear, enforceable rights—which is why we are fighting for a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Recently, our legal team at Working Washington and Fair Work Center represented a domestic worker in a case that highlights why these protections are so urgently needed.
This worker, referred to our legal team through Casa Latina, had recently immigrated from Honduras. She and her adolescent daughter were living in a women’s shelter while she tried to establish financial stability. Like many domestic workers, she faced unpredictable work schedules, no guaranteed wages, and no labor protections.
Throughout her employment, her employer denied her rest breaks—a violation of Seattle labor laws. When she needed to take legally protected sick time, her employer denied this. Additionally, the employer offered to loan her money for car repairs but charged exorbitant, undisclosed interest, trapping her in a cycle of debt. Ultimately, the instability of the job forced her to step away voluntarily.
When our legal team got involved, we helped the worker calculate her damages, which included:
- Missed meal and rest breaks
- Recovering the unfairly charged interest from the loan
- Penalties for being denied protected sick time
She initially sought $9,500 in damages, but penalties for the employer’s violations pushed her case above the $10,000 cap for small claims court. After sending a demand letter, the employer hired a lawyer and attempted to intimidate her—a common tactic used against immigrant workers. But with legal support and persistence, she secured a $15,000 settlement, enough to move her family into stable housing.
The Bigger Picture: Why We Need a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
This case is a hopeful story, but no worker should have to go through this just to claim their basic rights. Employers exploit the vulnerabilities of immigrant workers, using fear and misinformation to prevent them from speaking out. But the truth is all workers—regardless of immigration status—have rights.
If the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights were in place, this worker wouldn’t have had to fight for what she deserves which is:
✅ Paid sick leave
✅ Overtime pay
✅ A guaranteed minimum wage
✅ The right to rest breaks
Domestic workers play a vital role in our economy and communities. It’s time we recognize their work and pass this bill to ensure they are treated with the dignity and fairness they deserve.
Take Action
Our fight isn’t over. Join us in pushing for a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Seattle! Here’s how you can help:
📢 Share this story to raise awareness.
📞 Call your legislators and tell them to support worker protections by passing Senate bill 5023
Together, we can ensure no domestic worker is left unprotected.