The App-Based Worker Deactivation Rights Ordinance requires companies like Uber, which employ 250 or more app-based workers worldwide, to provide workers with a detailed explanation whenever they are deactivated from the platform. The ordinance mandates that companies not only disclose the reasons for deactivation but also provide evidence supporting that decision and allow workers to challenge it through an appeals process. The city of Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards (OLS) will have the authority to enforce the ordinance, though the agency will be limited to investigating whether companies provided the proper notices and followed the correct procedures until May 31, 2027.
The ordinance, which also includes a private right of action for workers, has caused significant concern for Uber. The company argues that the city’s vague standards and unclear guidance put it in a difficult position, potentially forcing it to reinstate workers that it would have otherwise deactivated for legitimate reasons, such as safety or reliability concerns. Uber contends that the ordinance’s provisions could harm its ability to maintain high service standards and keep customers safe.
