Bill No. 250065
Bill No. 250065
Councilmember Brooks
Referred to the
Committee on Law and Government
AN ORDINANCE
Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and
Professions,” by revising Chapter 9-4100, entitled “Promoting Healthy Families and
Workplaces,” Chapter 9-4300, entitled “Wage Theft Complaints,” and Chapter 9-4500 of The
Philadelphia Code, entitled “Protections for Domestic Workers,” and by adding new chapters,
entitled “Protecting Victims of Retaliation” and “Enforcement of Worker Protection
Ordinances,” to add and revise definitions; remove provisions related to the wage theft
coordinator; add requirements and remedies related to written contracts, meal times and breaks,
leave time, contract termination, and other protections for domestic workers; establish for claims
of retaliation under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700 of The Philadelphia Code
(“Wrongful Discharge from Parking Employment”) the elements of proof and procedures,
remedies and penalties for enforcement; authorize creation of a worker justice fund for victims of
retaliation; add requirements for employer record keeping and provision of notice of employee
rights under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; revise and clarify procedures,
remedies and penalties associated with administrative and civil enforcement under above-
referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; provide for annual reporting to Council on enforcement
of the City’s worker protection laws, including information regarding noncompliant employers;
authorize revocation of City licenses and contracts awarded to employers found in violation of
the City’s worker protection laws; authorize visa and deferred action certification on behalf of
immigrant workers; and make related technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.
* * *
* * *
§ 9-4101. Findings.
* * *
§ 9-4102. Purposes.
* * *
§ 9-4103. Definitions.
(1) “Chain establishment” means an establishment doing business under the same
trade name used by fifteen (15) or more establishments whether such other establishments are
located in the City or elsewhere and regardless of the type of ownership of each individual
establishment.
(2) ***
[(3)] (4) “Employee” means any individual employed by an employer who performs
work within the geographic boundaries of the City of Philadelphia for at least 40 hours in a year;
but excluding independent contractors, seasonal workers, adjunct professors, employees hired for
a term of less than six months, interns, pool employees, Federal, State and Federal City
employees, and non-probationary employees covered by a bona fide collective bargaining
agreement.
[(7) “Chain establishment” means an establishment doing business under the same trade
name used by fifteen (15) or more establishments whether such other establishments are located
in the City or elsewhere and regardless of the type of ownership of each individual
establishment.]
(6) "Enforcement Agency." The Office of Worker Protections, within the Department of
Labor, or any other agency designated by the Mayor to enforce the Worker Protection
Ordinances, as defined under Section 9-6601.
(7) Epidemic means an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many
individuals at the same time.
(8) ***
(9) ***
(10) ***
(11) ***
(12) Paid sick time or paid sick days means time that is compensated at the same hourly
rate and with the same benefits, including health care benefits, as the employee normally earns
from the employee's employment at the time the employee uses the paid sick time and is
provided by an employer to an employee for the purposes described in Section 9-4105 of this
Chapter. For purposes of calculating paid sick time for a Tipped Employee, as defined by this
Section, the hourly rate of pay shall be the numerical average of (1) the hourly wage for
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code 35- 3011 “Bartenders,” (2) the hourly wage
for SOC 35-3031 “Waiters & Waitresses,” and (3) the hourly wage for SOC 35-9011 “Dining
Room & Cafeteria Attendants & Bartender Helpers,” all as published for Philadelphia County
by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
(13) Pandemic means an outbreak of disease that occurs over a wide geographic area
and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
[(19) Epidemic means an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many
individuals at the same time.]
[(20) Pandemic means an outbreak of disease that occurs over a wide geographic
area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.]
(21) Tipped Employee. An employee who customarily and regularly receives more than
fifty dollars ($50) a month in tips from the same employment.
* * *
* * *
(1) It shall be unlawful for an employer or any other person to interfere with, restrain,
[or] deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right [protected under] set forth in this
Chapter[.], or to retaliate against an employee for exercising any rights protected by this
Chapter, as provided in Chapter 9-6500.
[(2) An employer shall not take retaliatory personnel action or discriminate against an
employee because the employee has exercised rights protected under this Chapter. Such rights
include but are not limited to the right to use sick time pursuant to this Chapter; the right to file a
complaint or inform any person about any employer's alleged violation of this Chapter; the right
to cooperate with the Agency in its investigations of alleged violations of this Chapter; and the
right to inform any person of his or her potential rights under this Chapter.]
[(3)] (2) It shall be unlawful for an employer's absence control policy to count sick time
taken under this Chapter as an absence that may lead to or result in discipline, discharge,
demotion, suspension, or any other adverse action; provided, however, that nothing in this
subsection shall prevent an employer from taking an action against an employee who uses sick
time under this Chapter for purposes other than those enumerated in subsection 9-4105(1).
[(4) Protections of this Section shall apply to any person who mistakenly but in good faith
alleges violations of this Chapter.]
[(5) There shall be a rebuttable presumption of unlawful retaliation under this Section
whenever an employer discharges, suspends, demotes, or takes other adverse action against a
person within 90 days of when that person:
(a) files a complaint with the Agency or a court alleging a violation of any
provision of this Chapter;
(b) informs any person about an employer's alleged violation of this Chapter;
(c) cooperates with the Agency or other persons in the investigation or prosecution
of any alleged violation of this Chapter; or
(d) opposes any policy, practice, or act that is unlawful under this Chapter.]
[(1)] An employer shall notify all employees of their rights under this Chapter and be
subject to penalties for failure to do so, as provided in Section 9-6607. [Employers shall give
notice that employees are entitled to sick time, the amount of sick time, and the terms of its use
guaranteed under this Chapter; that retaliation against employees who request or use sick time is
prohibited and that each employee has the right to file a complaint or bring a civil action if sick
time as required by this Chapter is denied by the employer or the employee is retaliated against
for requesting or taking sick time. This information shall also be included in any employee
handbooks that are distributed to employees.]
[(2) Employers shall comply with this Section by either (a) supplying each of their
employees with a notice in English and in any language that is the first language spoken by at
least five percent (5%) of the employer's workforce that contains the information required in
subsection (1); or (b) displaying a poster in a conspicuous and accessible place in each
establishment where such employees are employed which contains in English and in any
language that is the first language spoken by at least five percent (5%) of the employer's
workforce, all information required under subsection (1).]
[(3) The Agency shall create and make available to employers posters that contain the
information required under subsection (1) for their use in complying with this subsection.]
[(4) An employer who willfully violates the notice and posting requirements of this
Section shall be subject to a civil fine in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for
each separate offense.]
[Employers shall commence keeping records documenting hours worked by employees, sick
time taken by employees and payment made to employees for the sick time if payment was made
upon the effective date of this Chapter, shall retain such records for a period of two years, and
shall allow the Agency access to such records, with appropriate notice and at a mutually
agreeable time, to monitor compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. When an issue
arises as to an employee's entitlement to sick time under this Chapter, if the employer does not
maintain or retain adequate records documenting hours worked by the employee and sick time
taken by the employee, or does not allow the Agency reasonable access to such records, it shall
be presumed that the employer has violated the Chapter, absent clear and convincing evidence
otherwise.]
(1) An employer shall create and maintain contemporaneous, true, and accurate records
showing compliance with this Chapter. An employer shall retain these records for a period of
three years, commencing upon the effective date of the ordinance adding this provision to the
Code, and shall either allow the Enforcement Agency to inspect the records, subject to the
provisions set forth under Section 9-6603(2), or provide them to the Enforcement Agency upon
request. Such records shall include:
(b) Hours of sick time taken by an employee and payments made to an employee
for the sick time.
(2) If, an employer does not maintain or retain adequate records documenting
compliance with applicable and effective provisions of this Section, or does not allow the
Enforcement Agency reasonable access to such records within 30 days of the Enforcement
Agency's request or any extension thereof by the Enforcement Agency upon a showing of good
cause, it shall be presumed in any enforcement action that the employer has violated this
Chapter, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, including evidence that the
alleged violations occurred before the employer was legally obligated to document compliance
with this Section.
(3) The Enforcement Agency shall maintain the confidentiality of all records it obtains in
connection with enforcement activities to the full extent permitted by law.
§ 9-4109. Regulations.
§ 9-4110. Enforcement.
(1) [An employee or other person may report to the Agency any suspected violation of
this Chapter]. The Enforcement Agency is authorized to receive, investigate, and resolve
complaints regarding violations of this Chapter in accordance with the procedures set forth
under Chapter 9-6600.
[(2) The Agency is authorized to take such steps as deemed appropriate to resolve
complaints and enforce this Chapter, including, but not limited to, establishing a system to
receive complaints regarding non-compliance with this Chapter, investigating alleged violations
in a timely manner, and resolving complaints through mediation.]
[(3)] (2) Any [person] complaint alleging a violation of this Chapter [shall file a
complaint] must be filed with the Enforcement Agency within [a year] three years of the date the
[person] complainant knew or should have known of the alleged violation, subject to the
exceptions under Section 9-6607(5). [The Agency shall maintain confidential the identity of any
complainant unless disclosure of such complainant's identity is necessary for resolution of any
investigation by the Agency, or otherwise required by law. The Agency shall, to the extent
practicable, notify such complainant that the Agency will be disclosing his or her identity prior to
such disclosure.]
[(4) Upon receiving a complaint alleging a violation of this Chapter, the Agency shall
investigate such complaint and, if appropriate, attempt to resolve it through mediation. The
Agency shall keep complainants reasonably notified regarding the status of their complaint and
any resulting investigation and shall notify complainants of any final decision of the Agency,
including any mediation result, with respect to the complaint. Whenever the Agency finds that a
violation of this Chapter has occurred, it shall issue to the offending employer a notice of
violation, and offer the employer a chance to remedy the violation within sixty (60) days of the
issuance of the notice of violation.]
(a) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the Enforcement Agency may seek a civil monetary penalty of $2,000 for each
violation, payable to the City.
(b) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the complaining employee shall be entitled to liquidated damages in a separate
amount equal to the other monetary damages determined to be owed to the employee by the
Enforcement Agency, payable to the employee and awarded at the time a determination is issued
by the Enforcement Agency. Liquidated damages under this subsection are intended to make the
employee whole and to compensate the employee for collateral harms suffered because of the
violation and for the employee’s time and effort enforcing the rights afforded to the employee
under this Chapter.
(4) The Enforcement Agency or the City Solicitor may elect to enforce violations of this
Chapter by filing a judicial action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding a violation,
the court may award appropriate relief and impose the penalties and liquidated damages set
forth in subsection (3), above.
[(6) The Agency, the City Solicitor, any person aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter,
or any entity a member of which is aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter may bring a civil
action in a court of competent jurisdiction against an employer violating this Chapter, except that
a person aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter shall first file a complaint with the Agency as
provided in this Section 9-4110, and shall have the right to bring a civil action after receiving
notification of a final decision from the Agency, or 180 days after filing the complaint if no final
decision has been rendered by the Agency within that time. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, for the first 120 days after the effective date of the ordinance enacting this Chapter, any
such action may be brought without first filing an administrative complaint, unless the Agency
shortens such period by regulation.]
[(c) The City Solicitor may bring a civil action to enforce this Chapter. The City
Solicitor may seek injunctive relief. In addition to injunctive relief, or in lieu thereof, for any
employer or other person found to have willfully violated this Chapter, the City Solicitor may
seek to impose a fine payable to the City.]
[(d) The limitations period for a civil action brought pursuant to this Section
shall be two (2) years from the date the alleged violation occurred.]
[(e) An action pursuant to this Section may be brought as a class action pursuant
to the laws of Pennsylvania.]
(5) Private Right of Action. Any employee aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter or
any entity a member of which is aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter may bring a civil action
in a court of competent jurisdiction against an employer violating this Chapter. Before a civil
action for damages under this Chapter may be initiated, the employer must be put on notice of
the alleged violation and provided 15 days to remedy the harm. Such notice shall be provided in
writing by an employee, their representative, or any entity a member of which is allegedly
aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter. This 15-day waiting period provision shall not apply to
claims involving willful misconduct or retaliation. The limitations period for a civil action
brought pursuant to this Section shall be three (3) years from the date complainant knew or
should have known of the alleged violation, subject to the exceptions under Section 9-6602(6)
and Section 9-6607(5). Nothing in this Chapter or its implementing regulations shall be
construed to require a complaint to be filed with the Enforcement Agency before bringing an
action in court. Upon prevailing in an action brought pursuant to this Section, the aggrieved
person shall be entitled to such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to remedy the
violation, that is not duplicative of any relief provided to the person in any administrative
proceedings or other judicial proceedings, including, without limitation, the penalties, damages,
and remedies listed in subsection (3), above, and injunctive relief. The aggrieved person shall be
entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
* * *
§ 9-4112. Encouragement of More Generous Sick Time Policies; No Effect on More Generous
Policies.
* * *
* * *
(2) ***
[One year from the effective date of this Chapter, the Agency shall issue a report on
implementation of this Chapter which will include information on outreach efforts, number of
complaints filed and disposition of those complaints.]
* * *
* * *
§ 9-4118. Severability.
* * *
* * *
§ 9-4301. Definitions.
(2) “Employee” shall [have the same meaning as the term] include any individual who
meets the definition of "employe" in the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, Act of Jan. 17,
1968, P.L. 11, No. 5, as amended, or the definition of "employee" under the Fair Labor
Standards Act, 29 U.S. Code § 203, or any individual who is employed by an "employer," as
defined in the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637,
No. 329, as amended.
City of Philadelphia - 10 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(3) “Employer” shall have the same meaning as in the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage,
Act of Jan. 17, 1968, P.L. 11, No. 5, as amended and the Wage Payment and Collection Law,
Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, as amended.
(4) “Enforcement Agency” means the Office of Worker Protections, within the
Department of Labor, or any other agency designated by the Mayor to enforce the Worker
Protection Ordinances, as defined under Section 9-6601.
[“Reasonable time” shall be presumed to be no later than fourteen (14) calendar days
from the date on which the work is performed unless the employer has established, by policy or
practice, a pay schedule whereby employees earn and are consistently paid wages according to
regularly recurring pay periods, in which case such pay schedule shall govern.]
(7) “Wages” shall have the same meaning as in the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and
Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, as amended.
(8) “Wage Theft” means a violation of the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection
Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, as amended, or a violation of the Pennsylvania
Minimum Wage Act, Act of Jan. 17, 1968, P.L. 11, No. 5, as amended, or any other federal or
state law regulating the payment of wages, where the work is performed in Philadelphia or the
employment contract underlying the violation is made in Philadelphia.
["Wages" shall have the same meaning as in the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and
Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, as amended.]
[(1)] Any conduct that constitutes [a violation of the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection
Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329, as amended] wage theft, as defined by this
Chapter, shall constitute a violation of this Code to the extent permissible under federal or state
law. Each week during which [any wages due remain unpaid is a separate violation] an employee
has suffered wage theft is a separate violation.
City of Philadelphia - 11 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[(1) Coordinator. The Managing Director shall designate a wage theft coordinator to carry
out the duties set forth in this Chapter.]
[(2) The wage theft coordinator shall have the following duties:
(a) Receive and review each wage theft complaint submitted by a Proper Party;
(b) If the complaint is above the Maximum Threshold Amount or below the
Minimum Threshold Amount, assist and advise persons with complaints by providing them with
information regarding available remedies, and provide such other assistance as the coordinator
may deem appropriate; and
[(a)] (b) A proper party must allege a [wage theft] violation in which the unpaid
wages are equal to or greater than the minimum threshold amount [and equal to or less than the
maximum threshold amount].
[(b)] (c) [A signed] Any complaint [for wage theft] alleging a violation of this
Chapter must be filed [with the wage theft coordinator less than] within three years [from] of the
date the [wage theft occurred] complainant knew or should have known of the alleged violations,
subject to the exceptions under Section 9-6607(5). A wage theft complaint properly filed under
this Section tolls the applicable statute of limitations for any action in state or federal court
concerning a claim under this Chapter.
City of Philadelphia - 12 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[(c) The complaint shall set forth the facts upon which it is based with sufficient
specificity to identify the employer or employers and for the wage theft coordinator to determine
both that an allegation of wage theft has been made and that the threshold amount has been met.]
[(d) Upon the filing of any complaint, the wage theft coordinator shall promptly
determine whether the wage theft complaint alleges wage theft, names at least one employer, and
meets the threshold amount criterion.]
[(e) Upon making such determination, the wage theft coordinator shall serve the
complaint and a written notice on the employer or employers charged with the commission of a
wage theft practice, setting forth the allegations, rights and obligations of the parties. Such
service shall be by personal service or certified mail.]
[(2) Answer.
(a) Each employer shall file an answer to the complaint with the wage theft
coordinator not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the complaint. Such answer shall
include all available records of the hours worked by the complaining employee or employees, the
amounts paid to those employees, and any credits or deductions that may have been lawfully
taken.
(b) In its answer, an employer may admit liability for either part of or the
entire amount in dispute.]
[(3) Subpoenas.
(a) The wage theft coordinator shall have the power to subpoena records
from any party to the complaint. Said records shall be returned to the wage theft coordinator
within thirty (30) days after receipt of the subpoena.]
(a) In the event that there is a factual dispute as to whether wages are owed
or the amount of wages that are owed, the complainant shall bear the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence.
City of Philadelphia - 13 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[(a) Within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Answer, or within 110 days of
receipt of the Complaint, whichever is earlier, the wage theft coordinator shall issue a written
determination regarding the Complaint. The determination shall include written findings.]
[(b) If wages are determined to be owed in violation of this Chapter, the wage
theft coordinator shall order them paid. In addition, the wage theft coordinator shall make a
determination as to penalties that may be warranted in connection with the matter.]
[(c) Payments in full must be made within sixty (60) days of the date of the order.
The wage theft coordinator may allow a reasonable payment plan, not to exceed six (6) months
in length, to be entered into by the parties upon good cause shown.]
[(d) Additionally, the wage theft coordinator shall periodically publish a list of
the employers with current unpaid balances, and the amount of the unpaid balance.]
[(e) A final decision by the wage theft coordinator may be appealed within 30
days of such final decision to the Board of Labor Standards, for adjudication pursuant to the
procedures established for the adjudication of complaints pursuant to Section 17-107(7) of the
Code (Contractors: Labor-Management Relationships; Board of Labor Standards) and any
regulations established by the Board concerning procedures specific to claims under this
Chapter.]
City of Philadelphia - 14 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[(f) The determination of the wage theft coordinator as well as the complaint,
answer, investigatory notes, and documents received shall be made available to any party for use
in any appeal under subsection (e), above or further litigation of the matter.]
[An employer shall not take retaliatory personnel action or discriminate against an employee
because the employee has exercised rights protected under this Chapter. The wage theft
coordinator may keep a complainant's name confidential until the validity of a complaint can be
verified if the complainant alleges that there is a substantial risk of retaliation by the employer.]
It shall be unlawful for a hiring entity or any other person to interfere with, restrain, deny the
exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right set forth in this Chapter, or to retaliate against
an employee for exercising any rights protected by this Chapter, as provided in Chapter 9-6500.
(1) An employee or an Authorized Organization may file a[n] civil action [under this
Chapter] in any court of competent jurisdiction against an employer violating this Chapter.
[Upon a finding of a violation of this Chapter by the respondent employer, the court shall award
the employee the unpaid wages due, costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and penalties pursuant to
this Chapter.] Before a civil action for damages under this Chapter may be initiated, the
employer must be put on notice of the alleged violation and provided 15 days to remedy the
harm. Such notice shall be provided in writing by an employee, their representative, or any entity
a member of which is allegedly aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter. This 15-day waiting
period provision shall not apply to claims involving willful misconduct or retaliation. Upon
prevailing in an action brought pursuant to this Section, an aggrieved person shall be entitled to
such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to remedy the violation, that is not
duplicative of any relief provided to the person in any administrative proceedings or other
judicial proceedings, including, without limitation, the penalties, damages, and remedies listed
in Section 9-4307, and injunctive relief. The aggrieved person shall be entitled to an award of
reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
City of Philadelphia - 15 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(4) The limitations period for a civil action brought pursuant to this Section shall be
three (3) years from the date complainant knew or should have known of the alleged violation,
subject to the exceptions under Section 9-6602(6) and Section 9-6607(5).
* * *
(1) [Penalties for each violation of this Chapter may be imposed to the full extent
allowed by the Home Rule Act, 53 P.S. § 13131. The maximum allowable penalties shall be
imposed if the violation is wanton and willful.] The Enforcement Agency is authorized to
administratively adjudicate potential violations of this Chapter and shall have the power to seek
penalties and fines for any violation of this Chapter pursuant to subpart (a), below, and to
provide or obtain appropriate relief. Remedies shall include ordering an employer to pay the
unpaid wages due, with interest, to the employee and liquidated damages pursuant to subpart
(b), below.
(a) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter has
occurred, the Enforcement Agency may seek a civil monetary penalty of $2,000 for each
violation, payable to the City.
(b) If the Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter has occurred,
the complaining employee shall be entitled to liquidated damages, in accordance with state and
federal wage laws, in an amount equal to the unpaid wages or $500, whichever is greater,
payable to the employee and awarded at the time a determination is issued by the Agency.
Liquidated damages under this subsection are intended to make the employee whole and to
compensate the employee for collateral harms suffered as a result of the violation and for the
employee’s time and effort enforcing the rights afforded to the employee under this Chapter.
[(2) Any person who makes or causes to be made any false entry or false statement of
fact in any complaint, answer, report, account, record or other document submitted to the wage
theft coordinator, or who shall willfully mutilate, alter or by any other means falsify any
documentary evidence, may be fined up to two thousand dollars ($2,000).]
(2) The Enforcement Agency or the City Solicitor may elect to enforce violations of this
Chapter by filing a judicial action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding a violation,
City of Philadelphia - 16 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
the court may award appropriate relief and impose the penalties and liquidated damages set
forth in subsection (1), above.
[(1) The City, by and through its officials, boards and commissions, may deny,
suspend or revoke any license or permit issued or pending, if, during the 3 year period prior to
the date of denial, suspension or revocation, the applicant or licensee admitted guilt or liability or
has been found guilty, liable or responsible of committing a violation of this Chapter.]
[(2) Any license or permit issued by the City, its boards or commissions, may be
revoked or suspended if the applicant, licensee or permittee is a person who was subject to a final
judgment or other decision for violation of any of the laws set forth in subsection (1) above
within 3 years prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, and the judgment was not satisfied
within the lawful period for doing same, or the expiration of the period for filing an appeal; or if
an appeal is made, the date of the final resolution of that appeal and any subsequent appeal
resulting in a final administrative or judicial affirmation of violation of any of the laws set forth
in subsection (1) above.]
[(5) An applicant for a commercial activity license or any other license or permit
related to a business enterprise, shall be provided with a copy of this Chapter. All applicants shall
certify that the applicant has not been found guilty, liable or responsible, in any judicial or
administrative proceeding, of committing or attempting to commit a violation of any of the laws
set forth in subsection (1) above within the past three (3) years. This provision shall apply to all
persons or entities whose final administrative decision or adjudication or judicial judgment or
conviction was entered on or after the effective date of this Chapter, with the exception of
judgments that remain unsatisfied as set forth in subsection (2) above.]
City of Philadelphia - 17 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[(1) Employers shall give notice that employees are entitled to file complaints for unpaid
wages under this Chapter; that retaliation against employees who file complaints under this
Chapter is prohibited and that each employee has the right to file a complaint or bring a civil
action if the employer fails to pay all wages earned by the employee. This information shall also
be included in any employee handbooks that are distributed to employees.] An employer shall
notify an employee of the employee’s rights under this Chapter and be subject to penalties for
failure to do so, as provided in Section 9-6607.
[(2) Employers shall comply with this Section by either (a) supplying each of their
employees with a notice in English and in any language that is the first language spoken by at
least 5% of the employer's workforce that contains the information required in subsection (1); or
(b) displaying a poster in a conspicuous and accessible place in each establishment where such
employees are employed which contains in English and in any language that is the first language
spoken by at least 5% of the employer's workforce, all information required under subsection
(1)]
[(3) The wage theft coordinator shall create and make available to employers posters that
contain the information required under subsection (1) for their use in complying with this
subsection.]
[(4) An employer who willfully violates the notice and posting requirements of this
Section shall be subject to a civil fine in an amount not to exceed $100 for each separate
offense.]
* * *
* * *
§ 9-4501. Definitions.
(1) "Domestic worker" includes hourly and salaried employees, independent contractors,
full-time and part-time individuals and temporary individuals and is narrowly construed to mean
any worker who: (i) works for one or more hiring entities; and (ii) is an individual who works in
residence for the purposes of caring for a child, serving as a companion or caretaker for a sick
convalescing, elderly or a person with a disability; housekeeping or house cleaning; cooking;
providing food or butler service; parking cars; cleaning laundry; gardening; personal organizing,
or for any other domestic service purpose; provided that the term Domestic Worker does not
include:
(a)***
(b)***
City of Philadelphia - 18 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(c)***
(d)***
(e)***
(f)***
(2) "Enforcement Agency." [The Mayor's Office of Labor or such other office as the
Mayor shall designate.] The Office of Worker Protections, within the Department of Labor, or
any other agency designated by the Mayor to enforce the Worker Protection Ordinances, as
defined under Section 9-6601.
(3) "Hiring Entity." Any employer, as defined by the Pennsylvania Wage Payment
Collection Law and the Minimum Wage Act, who employs a domestic worker, as well as any
individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust or combination thereof, that
engages [pays a wage or wages for] the services of a domestic worker for a fee or payment. It
includes any such entity, person or group of persons that provides compensation directly or
indirectly to a domestic worker for the performance of domestic services and any such entity,
person or persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of the hiring entity in relation to the
domestic worker.
(4) "‘Live-in’ Domestic Worker." [A domestic worker who resides in the household
where they are employed.] Any domestic worker who, as part of their working arrangement,
lives in the residence of a hiring entity for a period of four consecutive workweeks or longer.
(5) ***
(6) “Significant misconduct.” The willful refusal to perform work duties specifically set
forth in the written work contract; abuse, neglect or similar conduct that gravely endangers the
safety or well-being of a child or a sick, elderly or disabled person for whom the domestic
worker is providing care; outrageous, dangerous or illegal conduct such as violence or threats
of violence, theft, sexual harassment, or willful destruction of property; or the repeated failure to
appear for scheduled work time without reasonable notice as set forth in Section 9-4105(3) or
for a purpose other than those set forth in Section 9-4105(1). Significant misconduct shall not
include the refusal to perform any job duty not specifically set forth in the written contract.
(7) "Work on a Casual Basis." Work that is irregular and casual in nature and duration,
[as shall be further defined by regulation.] and different in nature from the type of paid work in
which the worker is customarily engaged.
City of Philadelphia - 19 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(1) No hiring entity shall employ a domestic worker, [except] other than for work on a
casual basis [or work of less than 5 hours per month], unless the engagement is governed by a
written contract governing the following: a specific list of job duties; hourly wage and overtime
wage; weekly schedule including number of hours per week; the manner and frequency of
payment; breaks for rest and meals; paid or unpaid leave including sick time; paid holidays; any
other benefits provided; modes of transportation required and whether provided; value of
housing if provided; sleeping period and personal time for live-in workers; the term of the
contract; and any other terms and conditions as agreed upon by the domestic worker and the
hiring entity or as mandated pursuant to this Chapter, provided that no provisions in the written
agreement may waive a domestic worker's rights under federal, state, or local law. The contract
must be signed and dated by all parties after ample opportunity to review.
(2) A hiring entity shall execute a written contract with a domestic worker no later than
the first day a domestic worker is expected to perform work for that hiring entity. The agreement
must be in English and such other language as may be preferred by the worker. The hiring entity
shall make reasonable efforts to determine if the worker would prefer the agreement to be in
another language.
(3) ***
(4) ***
(5) A referral agency shall provide domestic workers and hiring entities with
information concerning the contract requirements of this Chapter at the time a hiring entity is
connected with a worker and shall make any contract templates adopted by the [City]
Enforcement Agency available to the hiring entity through the medium used to communicate with
the hiring entity, such as through a link to the [City's] Enforcement Agency’s template webpage
on the referral agency's website.
(6) If a domestic worker and hiring entity agree to modify the written contract on
account of added job duties, the hiring entity shall provide a new written contract to the
domestic worker for review and execution consistent with the requirements of this section.
(7) The hiring entity shall be liable for penalties and damages under this Section if the
Enforcement Agency, domestic worker, their representative, or any entity a member of which is
allegedly aggrieved by a violation of this chapter, provides written notice to the hiring entity of
the alleged violations and the hiring entity has failed to cure such violations within 30 days of
notice.
City of Philadelphia - 20 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(1) Except as otherwise provided, the following minimum terms, and such other
minimum terms as may be established by the Enforcement Agency by regulation, shall apply to a
work relationship between a domestic worker and a hiring entity or hiring entities.
(a) The hiring entity shall allow the domestic worker an uninterrupted paid
rest [-]period of not less than ten minutes for each four consecutive hours worked, except as
provided in subsection (c), below [unless the nature of the work prevents the domestic worker
from being relieved of all duties for such period of time, such as some types of child care and
caretaker work for a sick, elderly or disabled person]. The hiring entity shall pay the domestic
worker for the time spent on a rest [break] period at the domestic worker's regular rate of pay.
(a) The hiring entity shall allow the domestic worker an uninterrupted 30-
minute meal [break] period after more than five consecutive hours worked, except as provided
in subsection (c), below. [Unless the] The domestic worker [is] shall be relieved of all work
duties and permitted to leave the work site during such 30-minute period [the meal period shall
be considered an "on-duty" meal period and shall be paid at the domestic worker's regular rate
of pay]. Such meal period may be unpaid.
[(.1)] (c) [An "on-duty" meal period shall be permitted only when] If the nature
of the work prevents a domestic worker from being relieved of all duties during a rest or meal
period, such as caring for a child or a sick, elderly or disabled person who cannot be left
unattended because of the nature of their caretaking needs, an “on-duty” rest or meal period
may be permitted if agreed upon in advance in writing by the domestic worker [and when, by
written agreement between the parties, an "on-duty" meal period is agreed to]. Such agreement
may be revoked by the domestic worker, in writing, at any time. An on-duty rest or meal period
shall be paid at the domestic worker’s regular rate of pay. The domestic worker may, to the
extent possible given their duties for the hiring entity, engage in personal activities, such as
resting, eating a meal, drinking a beverage, making a personal telephone call, or making other
personal choices during an “on-duty” rest or meal period.
(b) A "live-in" domestic worker shall not be required to work more than six
consecutive days for a hiring entity without a 24-hour period of rest, which may be unpaid.
[(c)] (e) The hiring entity shall not impede or discourage a domestic worker from
taking such meal or rest periods [breaks].
[(d)] (f) In the case of a violation of this subsection (2), the hiring entity shall be
liable to [Failure to allow a meal or rest period in accordance with this subsection 9-4503(2)
shall entitle] the domestic worker for presumed damages as set forth in Section 9-4507(4)(b) [to
one additional hour of pay at the domestic worker’s regular rate of compensation, for each
City of Philadelphia - 21 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
workday that the meal or rest period was not provided. Payment of this extra pay shall not excuse
non-compliance with this subsection].
[(a) Except with respect to work on a casual basis, a domestic worker shall accrue
unpaid leave time with respect to a hiring entity pursuant to the rules of Section 9-4104 of the
Code ("Accrual of Paid Sick Time") and shall be permitted to utilize such time pursuant to the
rules of Section 9-4105 ("Use of Paid Sick Time"). Use of such time shall be counted against
accruals whether or not the domestic worker is compensated for such time pursuant to the system
established under subsection 9-4503(4) ("Paid Leave Time").]
[(b) A "live-in" domestic worker shall not be required to work more than six
consecutive days for a hiring entity without a 24-hour period of rest, which may be unpaid.]
(a) [The following paid leave time requirements shall be effective upon
adoption of regulations by the Enforcement Agency establishing a centralized portable benefits
system for: recording and dispersing paid leave time earned by domestic workers on an
aggregated basis for work performed for multiple hiring entities; collecting funds from hiring
entities to pay for such leave time; and developing the infrastructure to administer portable
access to such funds for domestic workers who earn such leave time.] Except with respect to
work on a casual basis, a domestic worker shall be entitled to paid leave time, as provided in
this Section. The right to receive paid leave time pursuant to this subsection shall not be
conditioned upon the creation of a centralized portable benefits system.
[(b) Except with respect to work on a casual basis, and any exemptions
created as part of the establishment of the portable benefits system, a hiring entity shall be
required to pay funds into the portable benefits system based on the hours worked for the hiring
entity and such funds will become the compensation for earned paid leave time.]
City of Philadelphia - 22 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
account regardless of changes that may occur in the relationship between the Domestic Worker
and Hiring Entity that contributed to the Paid Leave Time account.]
[(f)] (d) [Payment for leave time shall be accessed by the domestic worker based
on a demonstration of compensation needed to replace] A domestic worker shall have the right to
access paid leave time pursuant to this subsection in order to replace compensation for lost
regularly-scheduled work time because of: a change in work schedule or cancellation of planned
work time by the employer; the need for leave time for any of the reasons for which sick leave
may be used under Chapter 9-4100 of the Code ("Promoting Healthy Families and
Workplaces"); personal time needed for significant and unexpected personal matters; or any
other reason established by the Enforcement Agency by regulation.
City of Philadelphia - 23 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(a) The hiring entity shall provide a minimum two-week notification period
before termination of the workplace relationship, and for "live-in" domestic workers a minimum
four-week notification period before termination of the workplace relationship. No notification
period is required in connection with termination of work performed on a casual basis for a
hiring entity.
(b) The hiring entity may terminate the relationship without complying with the
full notification period based on a good-faith belief that the domestic worker has engaged in
significant misconduct.
[(6)] (5)***
(1) Notice. A hiring entity shall notify a domestic worker of the worker’s rights under
this Chapter and be subject to penalties for failure to do so, as provided in Section 9-6607.
City of Philadelphia - 24 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
[provide to a domestic worker such notification of the rights of domestic workers under this
Chapter, and such information on how to file a complaint for violation of such rights, as shall be
determined by the Enforcement Agency by regulation.]
(2) [A hiring entity shall create and maintain records documenting hours worked, pay
rate, leave time earned and used and the existence of a written contract, all pursuant to
requirements established by regulation. If a hiring entity does not maintain such records or does
not allow the Enforcement Agency reasonable access to such records, an adverse inference may
be drawn with respect to facts alleged regarding the issues about which records were not kept.] A
hiring entity shall create and maintain contemporaneous, true, and accurate records showing
compliance with this Chapter. A hiring entity shall retain these records for a period of three
years, commencing upon the effective date of the ordinance adding this provision to the Code,
and shall either allow the Enforcement Agency to inspect the records, subject to the provisions
set forth under Section 9-6603(2), or provide them to the Enforcement Agency upon request.
Such records shall include:
(a) All executed versions of written contracts and any other agreements
between the hiring entity and domestic worker;
(b) Hours worked by a domestic worker, including dates, start times, end
times, and rest and meal periods;
(c) Wages, benefits, and any other types of compensation paid or provided
to a domestic worker, including the date of such payments;
(e) Leave time accrued and taken including whether it was paid or unpaid;
(3) If a hiring entity does not maintain or retain adequate records documenting
compliance with applicable and effective provisions of this Section, or does not allow the
Enforcement Agency reasonable access to such records within 30 days of the Enforcement
Agency's request or any extension thereof by the Enforcement Agency upon a showing of good
cause, it shall be presumed in any enforcement action that the hiring entity has violated this
City of Philadelphia - 25 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
Chapter, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, including evidence that the
alleged violations occurred before the employer was legally obligated to document compliance
with this Section.
[(3)] (4) The Enforcement Agency shall maintain the confidentiality of all records it
obtains in connection with enforcement activities to the full extent permitted by law.
(5) The hiring entity shall be liable for penalties and damages under this Section if the
Enforcement Agency, domestic worker, their representative, or any entity a member of which is
allegedly aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter, provides written notice to the hiring entity of
the alleged violations and the hiring entity has failed to cure such violations within 30 days of
notice.
(1) It shall be unlawful for a hiring entity or any other person to interfere with, restrain,
[or] deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right set forth in this Chapter, or to
retaliate against a domestic worker for exercising any rights protected by this Chapter, as
provided in Chapter 9-6500.
(3) A material breach by a hiring entity of a contract with a domestic worker shall
constitute a violation of this Chapter, without regard to whether the breach is of a provision
required by this Chapter.
[(4) No hiring entity or any other person shall take or threaten retaliatory action against
any person because a domestic worker has exercised rights or pursued a claim of violation under
this Chapter. Such rights include the right to use break and leave time pursuant to this Chapter;
the right to demand compliance with protections established by contract; the right to file a
complaint or inform any person about a hiring entity's alleged violation of this Chapter; the right
to cooperate with the Enforcement Agency in any investigation pursuant to this Chapter; and the
right to inform any person of the rights established under this Chapter.]
[(6) The protections of this Section 9-4505 shall apply to any person who mistakenly but
in good faith alleges a violation of this Chapter.]
City of Philadelphia - 26 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
§ 9-4506. Regulations.
* * *
(1) Joint Liability. More than one person or entity may have an employment relationship
with a domestic worker in connection with the same work. Individuals and entities with an
overlapping employment relationship with a domestic worker are subject to joint and several
liability, and concurrent fines and penalties, in connection with violations of this Chapter.
(2) [A domestic worker or other person representing a Domestic Worker, may report to
the Agency any suspected violation of this Chapter]. The Enforcement Agency is authorized to
receive, investigate, and resolve complaints regarding violations of this Chapter in accordance
with the procedures set forth under Chapter 9-6600.
[(3) The Agency is authorized to take such steps as it deems appropriate to resolve
complaints and enforce this Chapter, including, but not limited to, establishing a system to
receive complaints regarding non-compliance with this Chapter, investigating alleged violations
in a timely manner and resolving complaints through mediation.]
[(4) The Agency shall have the power to subpoena records and testimony from any party
to a complaint. Such records shall be provided to the Agency within thirty (30) days after receipt
of the subpoena.]
[(5)] (3) Any [person] complaint alleging a violation of this Chapter [shall file a
complaint] must be filed with the Enforcement Agency within [two] three years of the date the
[person] complainant knew or should have known of the alleged violation, subject to the
exceptions under Section 9-6607(5).
(a) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the Enforcement Agency may seek a civil monetary penalty of $2,000 for each
violation, payable to the City.
City of Philadelphia - 27 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(b) If the Enforcement Agency determines that the hiring entity has violated
Section 9-4502, 9-4503(2), 9-4503(5), or 9-4504(1), the complaining domestic worker shall be
entitled to presumed damages as set forth in this subpart (b)(.1) through (.4), below, payable to
the domestic worker. The Enforcement Agency shall be authorized to increase any of the
presumed damages amounts set forth below by regulation up to a maximum of $4,000 for each
violation provided that the amount shall not increase more than 10% in a given year.
City of Philadelphia - 28 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(c) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the complaining domestic worker shall be entitled to liquidated damages in a
separate amount equal to the other monetary damages determined to be owed to the domestic
worker by the Enforcement Agency, payable to the domestic worker and awarded at the time a
determination is issued by the Enforcement Agency. Liquidated damages under this subsection
are intended to make the domestic worker whole and to compensate the domestic worker for
collateral harms suffered because of the violation and for the domestic worker’s time and effort
enforcing the rights afforded to the domestic worker under this Chapter.
(5) The Enforcement Agency or the City Solicitor may elect to enforce violations of this
Chapter by filing a judicial action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding a violation,
the court may award appropriate relief and impose the penalties, presumed damages, and
liquidated damages set forth in subsection (4), above.
[(7) A hiring entity who retaliates against an employee for any activity protected under
this Chapter shall be a Class III offense under § 1-109(3). All other violations of this Chapter
shall be Class II offenses under § 1-109(2) of this Code.]
[8] (6) Private Right of Action. Any domestic worker aggrieved by a violation of this
Chapter[,] or any entity a member of which is aggrieved by a violation of this chapter [or the
City] may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against a hiring entity violating
this Chapter. The limitations period for a civil action brought pursuant to this Section shall be
three (3) years from the date the complainant knew or should have known of the alleged
violation, subject to the exceptions under Section 9-6602(6) and Section 9-6607(5). Nothing in
this Chapter or its implementing regulations shall be construed to require a complaint to be filed
with the Enforcement Agency before bringing an action in court. Upon prevailing in an action
brought pursuant to this Section, an aggrieved person shall be entitled to such legal or equitable
relief as may be appropriate to remedy the violation, that is not duplicative of any relief provided
to the person in any administrative proceedings or other judicial proceedings, including, without
limitation, the penalties, damages, and remedies listed in subsection (4), above, [reinstatement in
employment, back pay] and injunctive relief. The aggrieved person shall be entitled to an award
of reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
* * *
City of Philadelphia - 29 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(1) The [Mayor's Office of Labor] Enforcement Agency is authorized to establish, within
ninety days of the passage date of this ordinance, a Domestic Workers Standards and
Implementation Task Force, which shall regularly convene members of the Administration, City
Council and affected stakeholder organizations to discuss mechanisms to support implementation
of this Chapter, including regulations promulgated under this Chapter.
(2) The [Mayor's Office of Labor] Enforcement Agency shall, no less than one time a
year, file a report with the Chief Clerk of Council that shall include, in addition to such other
information the [Mayor's Office of Labor] Enforcement Agency determines should be included,
information concerning Domestic Workers, and reporting any policy recommendations or
findings from the Domestic Workers Standards and Implementation Task Force.
§ 9-4510. Severability.
* * *
§ 9-6501. Definitions.
(1) Adverse action. Any action that negatively affects a complainant’s compensation,
terms, or conditions of current or future work, including termination, intimidation, harassment,
discrimination, demotion, suspension, discipline, reduction in hours, change in work schedule or
pay, change in responsibilities or in the terms or conditions of employment, refusal to hire,
blacklisting, interference with current employment or employment prospects, contacting law
enforcement or a government agency to file a report, including reporting suspected or actual
immigration status.
(3) Deferred Action Program. Any program run by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security for immigrant workers who are eligible for deferred action, continued presence, or
parole, based on abusive or exploitative labor practices.
City of Philadelphia - 30 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(5) Enforcement Agency. The Office of Worker Protections, within the Department of
Labor, or any other agency designated by the Mayor to enforce the Worker Protection
Ordinances, as defined under Section 9-6601.
(c) A person to whom the worker is legally married under the laws of
Pennsylvania;
(e) A grandchild;
(9) Notice of Investigation. Oral or written notice from the Enforcement Agency
informing the parties that the Enforcement Agency has received a complaint and opened an
investigation into an alleged violation of this Chapter.
(11) Protected activity. Any act taken in good faith by a worker to assert rights protected
under any "Worker Protection Ordinance," as defined under Section 9-6601. Such acts include a
worker, under these laws, seeking information about their rights; communicating with another
person about their rights or an alleged violation; opposing or refusing to participate in any
practice that violates any Worker Protection Ordinance; making an oral or written complaint to
an employer or any person associated with the employer; filing a complaint with the Agency or a
City of Philadelphia - 31 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(12) Respondent. The person against whom the complaint for unlawful
retaliation has been filed.
(14) Worker. Any person who has performed labor, including anyone who
meets the definition of a "worker" under Section 9-6601.
No employer or any person associated with the employer shall engage in unlawful retaliation.
(1) Unlawful retaliation shall include adverse actions taken prior, during, or after the
termination of the worker’s relationship with the employer.
(2) A causal connection between the protected activity and the adverse action may be
established by indirect or direct evidence.
(3) Unlawful retaliation can exist when the protected activity is only one of several
motivating factors, so long as the protected activity is a factor in the adverse action.
(1) The Enforcement Agency is authorized to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints
regarding violations of this Chapter in accordance with the procedures set forth under Chapter
9-6600. A complaint for unlawful retaliation may be concurrently filed with a complaint under
any Worker Protection Ordinance, as defined under Section 9-6601. If a worker has first filed a
City of Philadelphia - 32 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
complaint under these Chapters, a subsequent claim for retaliation will be associated with the
initial complaint.
(2) Any complaint alleging a violation of this Chapter must be filed with the
Enforcement Agency within three (3) years of the date the complainant knew or should have
known of the alleged violation, subject to the exceptions under Section 9-6607(5).
(3) The Enforcement Agency shall have the authority to create a fast-track process for
investigating complaints of unlawful retaliation, including prioritizing those complaints that
allege unlawful retaliation that is severe or repeated or that causes significant physical,
emotional, or financial harm.
(4) The Enforcement Agency is authorized to immediately notify the employer, or any
person associated with the employer, to cease and desist from acts of unlawful retaliation.
(a) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the Enforcement Agency may seek a civil monetary penalty of $2,000 for each
violation, payable to the City.
(b) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter
has occurred, the complaining worker shall be entitled to liquidated damages in a separate
amount equal to the other monetary damages determined to be owed to the worker by the
Enforcement Agency, payable to the worker and awarded at the time a determination is issued by
the Enforcement Agency. Liquidated damages under this subsection are intended to make the
worker whole and to compensate the worker for collateral harms suffered because of the
violation and for the worker’s time and effort enforcing the rights afforded to the worker under
this Chapter.
(6) The Enforcement Agency or the City Solicitor may elect to enforce violations of this
Chapter by filing a judicial action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding a violation,
the court may award appropriate relief and impose the penalties and liquidated damages set
forth in subsection (5), above.
City of Philadelphia - 33 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(7) Private Right of Action. Any worker aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter or any
entity a member of which is aggrieved by a violation of this Chapter may bring a civil action in a
court of competent jurisdiction against a person violating this Chapter. The limitations period
for a civil action brought pursuant to this Section shall be three (3) years from the date the
complainant knew or should have known of the alleged violation, subject to the exceptions under
Section 9-6602(6) and Section 9-6607(5). Nothing in this Chapter or its implementing
regulations shall be construed to require a complaint to be filed with the Enforcement Agency
before bringing an action in court. Before a civil action for damages under this Chapter may be
initiated, the person violating this Chapter must be put on notice of the alleged violation and
provided 15 days to remedy the harm. Such notice shall be provided in writing by a worker, their
representative, or any entity a member of which is allegedly aggrieved by a violation of this
Chapter. This 15-day waiting period provision shall not apply to claims involving willful
misconduct or retaliation. Upon prevailing in an action brought pursuant to this Section, an
aggrieved person shall be entitled to such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to
remedy the violation, that is not duplicative of any relief provided to the person in any
administrative proceedings or other judicial proceedings, including, without limitation, the
penalties, damages, and remedies listed in subsection (5), above, and injunctive relief. The
aggrieved person shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
(1) The Enforcement Agency shall have the authority to create a worker justice fund that
would support workers who have suffered economically, physically, or emotionally because of
retaliation. The Enforcement Agency shall have the power to implement and operate this fund by
determining eligibility, procedure, and payment processes for the fund.
(2) It is the intent of Council that the Director of Finance direct that any penalties or
fines collected pursuant to this Chapter be used to replenish the Worker Justice Fund.
§ 9-6506. Severability.
If any provision of this Chapter or application thereof to any person or circumstance is judged
invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Chapter which can
be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this
Chapter are declared severable.
* * *
§ 9-6601. Definitions.
City of Philadelphia - 34 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(1) Enforcement Agency means the Office of Worker Protections, within the Department
of Labor, or any other agency designated by the Mayor to enforce the Worker Protection
Ordinances.
(2) Complainant means the worker, or an entity on behalf of a worker, which has filed a
complaint with the Enforcement Agency regarding suspected violation of a Worker Protection
Ordinance.
(3) Determination means the written findings and decision of the Enforcement Agency
following investigation of a complaint alleging violations of a Worker Protection Ordinance.
(6) Respondent means the person or entity against whom a complaint alleging violation
of any Worker Protection Ordinance has been filed.
(7) Worker means any person who has performed labor, including anyone who meets the
definition of a domestic worker as defined by Section 9-4501, an “employee” as defined by
Sections 9-4103, 9-4301, and 9-4601, “parking employee” as defined by Section 9-4701, or
“worker” as defined by Section 9-6501.
(8) Worker Protection Ordinance means any of the following Chapters of The
Philadelphia Code: Chapter 9-4100 (Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces); Chapter 9-
4300 (Wage Theft Complaints); Chapter 9-4500 (Protections for Domestic Workers); Chapter 9-
4600 (Fair Workweek Employment Standards); Chapter 9-4700 (Wrongful Discharge from
Parking Employment), and Chapter 9-6500 (Protecting Victims of Retaliation), collectively
referred to as the “Worker Protection Ordinances.”
City of Philadelphia - 35 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(3) If the Enforcement Agency rejects a complaint due to failure to meet jurisdictional
requirements, the Complainant shall have the right to submit a revised complaint or appeal that
decision to the Philadelphia Board of Labor Standards. A resubmitted complaint that the
Enforcement Agency deems eligible for investigation shall be backdated to the filing date of the
initial complaint.
(4) The Enforcement Agency shall keep confidential the identity of any Complainant
unless disclosure of such Complainant's identity is necessary for resolution of any investigation
by the Enforcement Agency or to allow an employer a fair opportunity to respond to an
allegation, or otherwise required by law. The Enforcement Agency shall, to the extent
practicable, notify such Complainant that the Enforcement Agency will be disclosing their
identity prior to such disclosure.
(5) The Complainant is entitled to receive written notice from the Enforcement Agency
indicating the name and contact information for the investigator assigned to investigate their
complaint.
(6) A properly filed administrative complaint tolls the applicable statute of limitations for
any court action.
(1) The Enforcement Agency is authorized to take such steps as it deems appropriate to
resolve complaints and enforce any Worker Protection Ordinance, including, but not limited to,
establishing a system to receive complaints regarding non-compliance with any Worker
Protection Ordinance, investigating alleged violations in a timely manner, and resolving
complaints through mediation.
(3) The Enforcement Agency has the authority to open an investigation on its own
initiative, absent a formal complaint, when it has reason to believe that a violation of a Worker
Protection Ordinance has occurred or will occur, or when circumstances show that violations
are likely to occur within a business or class of businesses.
(4) The Enforcement Agency has authority to expand the scope of any investigation
beyond a single individual’s claims to include all workers at an employer’s business in situations
City of Philadelphia - 36 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
including, but not limited to, when the Enforcement Agency has reason to believe that multiple
workers have or are likely to have experienced violations of a Worker Protection Ordinance,
when a complaint alleges or suggests that the employer may be engaged in a pattern or practice
of violations against multiple workers, or when requested by the Complainant.
(5) Power to Subpoena Records and Testimony. Pursuant to the Philadelphia Home Rule
Charter Sections 8-409 and 4-2300, the Enforcement Agency may issue subpoenas for records or
testimony. If a recipient of the subpoena fails to timely respond to a subpoena or if the response
is deficient, the Enforcement Agency may refer the subpoena to the City of Philadelphia Law
Department to initiate proceedings to enforce the subpoena in a court of competent jurisdiction.
§ 9-6604. Determinations.
(2) The Enforcement Agency shall have the power to seek penalties and fines for
violations of the Worker Protection Ordinances and to provide or obtain appropriate relief, as
set forth in each Worker Protection Ordinance. The Enforcement Agency may also require the
Respondent to display written notice of Respondent’s violation of and failure to comply with a
Worker Protection Ordinance in a conspicuous and accessible place in each establishment
where Respondent’s employees are employed, in English and in any language that is the first
language spoken by at least five percent (5%) of the employer’s workforce, in a form and
manner determined by the Enforcement Agency.
§ 9-6605. Appeals.
(1) Any party aggrieved by any Determination, and who has a direct interest in such
Determination, shall have the right to file an appeal therefrom to the City of Philadelphia Board
of Labor Standards within thirty (30) days of the date of service of such Determination. Appeals
shall be filed and conducted in the manner and in the form prescribed by any regulations, rules,
procedures, policies, and orders adopted and promulgated by the Board of Labor Standards.
City of Philadelphia - 37 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(2) Failure to Appeal. Failure of a party aggrieved by any Determination to timely file
an appeal to the Board of Labor Standards shall result in the Enforcement Agency’s
Determination being final and enforceable pursuant to Section 9-6606 of this Chapter.
(1) If the Respondent fails to comply with any Determination, the Enforcement Agency
or the City Solicitor shall have the authority to seek judicial enforcement of any relief ordered
pursuant to this Chapter, including civil monetary penalties, liquidated damages, presumed
damages, or other monetary and injunctive relief, but only after the Respondent has exhausted
any appeals available to them under the Pennsylvania Local Agency Law or other applicable
law. The Enforcement Agency’s final Determination shall constitute prima facie evidence that a
violation occurred and shall be admissible without further evidentiary foundation.
(2) Where a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a judgment pursuant to this
subsection that includes monetary relief payable to a Complainant, the Complainant, the
Enforcement Agency, or the City Solicitor shall have the right to initiate collections proceedings
pursuant to Pennsylvania law for such monetary relief that remains unpaid.
(1) Employers shall provide notice to Workers setting forth the rights and privileges
provided under any applicable Worker Protection Ordinance, including information on how to
file a complaint for violations of such rights, stating that retaliation against Workers for
exercising such rights is prohibited, and providing such other information as the Worker
Protection Ordinance or Enforcement Agency may require.
(2) Employers shall comply with Section 9-6607(1) by, for , all information required
under that subsection, either (a) supplying each of their employees with written notice in English
and in any language that is the first language spoken by at least five percent (5%) of the
employer’s workforce that contains the information required in Section 9-6607(1); or (b)
displaying poster(s) in a conspicuous and accessible place in each establishment where such
Workers are employed which contains in English and in any language that is the first language
spoken by at least five percent (5%) of the employer’s workforce.
(3) The Enforcement Agency may create, and make available to employers, posters that
contain the information required under Section 9-6607(1) for each Worker Protection Ordinance
for Employers’ use in complying with Section 9-6607(2).
(4) Notice and Posting Violations. If the Enforcement Agency determines that an
Employer has violated any of the requirements set forth in Section 9-6607(2), the Enforcement
Agency is authorized to seek penalties and fines for noncompliance and to provide or obtain
other appropriate remedies to or for the worker or workers. Such remedies may include:
City of Philadelphia - 38 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(a) A civil monetary penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation;
(b) The number of investigations conducted and the average timeframe between
receipt of complaint and issuance of a Determination, by Worker Protection Ordinance.
(c) The total number of violations found, by Worker Protection Ordinance and
type of violation.
(e) The total amount of fines paid to the City, by Worker Protection Ordinance.
City of Philadelphia - 39 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(g) The number of business licenses referred to L&I for denial, suspension, or
revocation.
(h) The number of cases in which a Respondent failed to comply with a final
Determination (after exhaustion of appeal rights), by Worker Protection Ordinance.
(i) The number of civil actions filed in court by the Enforcement Agency to
enforce a final Determination, by Worker Protection Ordinance.
(j) The number of cases resolved via mediation, including the total amount of
monetary damages recovered by Complainants via settlement, by Worker Protection Ordinance.
(k) The total amount contributed to the worker justice fund in the fiscal year.
(l) The number of requests to the worker justice fund based on economic,
physical, or emotional harm and the total amount provided to workers for requests from the
worker justice fund.
(m) The number of requests made to and approved by the certifying official of
the Enforcement Agency for immigrant worker relief.
(n) The number and type of outreach efforts conducted by the Enforcement
Agency, by zip code.
(2) Bad Actors Database. The Enforcement Agency will publish on a publicly available
website and transmit to the President of City Council and the Chair of the Committee on Labor
and Civil Service the following information by May 30th of each year:
(a) The information listed in 9-6608(2)(b), below, for any Employer who:
(.1) Has been issued three or more of the following from separate
incidents or circumstances:
(.b) a final order by the Board of Labor Standards, for which all
appeal rights have been exhausted, finding the Employer to have violated any Worker Protection
Ordinance; and/or
City of Philadelphia - 40 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(.c) a final order by a court, for which all appeal rights have been
exhausted, finding the Employer liable for violation of any Worker Protection Ordinance.
(.3) Has been issued a Determination for which all appeal rights have
been exhausted, a final decision by the Board of Labor Standards for which all appeal rights
have been exhausted, or a final order by a court for which all appeal rights have been exhausted,
finding the Employer to have violated any Worker Protection Ordinance after having previously
satisfied obligations leading to the Employer’s removal from the Bad Actors Database under
subsection 9-6608(2)(d).
(b) The following information for each Employer who meets the
qualifications of 9-6608(2)(a)
(.5) the date on which the relevant Determination, order of the Board of
Labor Standards, or court order became final.
(c) Petition for addition to the Bad Actors Database. Any Worker or
representative of a Worker may petition the Enforcement Agency to add any Employer to the
database who meets the criteria for the database in subsection 9-6608(2)(a). The Enforcement
Agency should respond in writing to the worker or representative of a worker within 30 days.
(d) Application for Removal from the Bad Actors Database. An Employer has
the right to be removed from the Bad Actors Database upon application to the Enforcement
Agency by providing the following:
(.1) For Employers placed on the Bad Actors list pursuant to subsections
9-6608(2)(a)(.1):
City of Philadelphia - 41 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(.a) A showing that two (2) years have passed since the date on
which the most recent Determination, decision, or order finding the Employer in violation of any
Worker Protection Ordinance became final;
(.c) A written certification that the Employer will not violate any
applicable Worker Protection Ordinance going forward.
(.2) For Employers placed on the Bad Actors list pursuant to subsection
9-6608(2)(a)(.2):
(.a) Proof that the Employer has complied with the relevant
Determination, order of the Board of Labor Standards, or court order under subsection 9-
6608(2)(a)(.2) and has paid all restitution owed to the Complainant;
(.c) A written certification that the Employer will not violate any
Worker Protection Ordinance going forward.
(2) Upon notice from the Enforcement Agency, the Department of Licenses and
Inspections shall have the authority to deny an application for or revoke a commercial activity
license or any other license of any employer who meets the criteria set forth in subsection 9-
6608(2)(a). The Department of Licenses and Inspections will follow all procedures required by
Section 9-103.
(3) If an employer or person meets the criteria set forth in subsection 9-6608(2)(a), the
Department of Procurement shall have the authority to deem that employer or person to be
ineligible for any future City contract.
City of Philadelphia - 42 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
(4) All City contracts shall contain a provision that the contract shall be revocable at the
City’s option if the person entering into the contract with the City shall meet the criteria set forth
in subsection 9-6608(2)(a).
(1) The Enforcement Agency is authorized to certify and submit statements of interest on
behalf of immigrant workers, including those subject to unlawful retaliation, who may be eligible
for a U Visa or T Visa under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (2000), or
for the Deferred Action Program under 6 U.S.C. § 202(5) and 8 U.S.C. § 1103.
(2) Designation of Certifying Official. The Enforcement Agency will designate at least
one certifying official to issue certifications on behalf of the Enforcement Agency, and who will
have publicly available contact information for certification requests.
(3) Criteria. In accordance with current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(“USCIS”) requirements, filing of criminal charges, prosecution, or conviction is not required
for a worker to request and obtain certification.
(4) Denial Explanation. In the event of a denial of any request, the worker is entitled to
receive a written explanation including the grounds for the denial. After receiving a denial, the
worker may submit additional evidence to the Enforcement Agency for reconsideration of their
request.
§ 9-6611. Severability.
If any provision of this Chapter or application thereof to any person or circumstance is judged
invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Chapter which can
be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this
Chapter are declared severable.
___________________________________
Explanation:
City of Philadelphia - 43 -
City of Philadelphia
BILL NO. 250065, as amended continued
City of Philadelphia - 44 -