Deactivation Protections
Gig workers deserve deactivation protections.
Unjust, unexpected deactivations are destabilizing. App companies fire huge swaths of workers using an algorithm, which disproportionately affects workers of color, immigrant workers, and workers with disabilities, and they don’t tell us why we got deactivated or how to fix it.
That’s why gig workers in Seattle built, fought for, and won this PayUp policy.
The Details:
Unwarranted deactivations are a major issue across apps. The ordinance bars apps from deactivating for unfair reasons — like:
Unsubstantiated complaints about the worker
Minor issues on background checks that aren’t relevant to the work
Acceptance rating or rejection of jobs
Hours worked
Based on customer ratings alone
Additionally, the ordinance requires apps to follow a step-by-step process when deactivating a worker, and create a system for workers to appeal.
Apps are required to publish a list of all potential causes for deactivation, and provide a specific reason to workers if they’re being deactivated. Apps are required to send that info to workers with 14 days’ notice before shutting off the worker’s account.
Workers have the right to appeal their deactivation & request proof from the app — and the app company would be legally required to review the case & respond.
If the app can’t justify the deactivation, or if it’s found to be false, the worker is legally entitled to be reinstated & paid backpay for the work they missed.
This policy goes into effect January 1st, 2025, under CB 120580.
Seattle is now the best city in the nation to do gig work, and we’re showing the rest of the country what’s possible when workers organize for what we need and deserve.
Other policies we’ve won in Seattle: