Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

ohr

Office of Human Rights
 

DC Agency Top Menu

-A +A
Bookmark and Share

Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Act

The Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act of 2018

The Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act (TWWF) requires District employers who hire individuals earning tips as wages to inform their employees about their rights and benefits. Some of the laws providing these rights are enforced by The Office of Human Rights (OHR) and others are enforced by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). The law has two main compliance components:(1) Training; and (2) Document Submission.

1. Training Compliance Requirements    
  • Who must get the training?
    • Employers must provide an anti-sexual harassment training course to the following individuals:
      • Employees,
      • Managers,
      • Owners, and
      • Operators  
      • What must the training include?
        • The anti-sexual harassment training course must include how to respond to, intervene in, and prevent sexual harassment by co-workers, management, and patrons.  How can training be conducted?
        • Training may be conducted using an OHR certified trainer 
          • For a list of certified trainers, click here. (updated April 2023)
      • The  deadline to complete this training is August 31, 2023
     
    2. Document Submission Compliance Requirements
    • Sexual harassment policy  Employers must:
      • Have a sexual harassment policy outlining how employees can report instances of sexual harassment to management and to OHR.
      • Distribute their sexual-harassment policy to all employees and post it in a conspicuous place accessible to all employees.
      • File the sexual harassment policy with OHR.
    • Internal sexual harassment complaints
      • Employers must:
      • Submit to OHR the number of instances of sexual harassment reported to management.
      • Submit to OHR the total number of reported harassers who were 1) non-managerial employees, 2) managerial employees, 3) owners, or 4) operators.  
    • The deadline for submission of these documents and complete certifications has been extended until May 31, 2023.
    • Click on this link  (Business Self Service Form)  to submit your documentation and certification to comply with the D.C. Law 22-196. Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act of 2018.
     
    For more information on compliance and training requirements of TWWF, click here. 
     
     
    If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to submit an anonymous tip regarding the Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Program, please emails us at [email protected].
     
    Here are some worker rights under laws enforced by the D.C. Office of Human Rights:  
    • To be free from discrimination in the workplace based on the protected traits under the DC Human Rights Act;
    • To be free from workplace harassment, including sexual harassment;
    • To request and use unpaid family and medical leave if eligible and qualified and working for a covered employer with 20 or more employees;
    • To request time off to attend a child's school-related activities;
    • To be provided with reasonable accommodation in the workplace for religious reasons, a disability or for medical conditions related to pregnancy;
    • To be free from interference and retaliation under the Universal Paid Leave Act;
    • To be free from employer retaliation for discussing or exercising any of these rights; and
    • To file a complaint for violation of workplace human rights with the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR.)
    • If you encounter issues related to these rights, file a complain with OHR (QR CODE Here)
    You also have Wage and Hours Rights under laws enforced by DOES:
    • To be paid at least the minimum wage;
    • To be paid on time;
    • To receive a detailed pay stub;
    • To accrue and use paid sick and safe leave;
    • To be able to get paid leave for certain qualifying events under the Universal Paid Leave Act;
    • To be compensated for work-related illness or injury; and
    • To file a complaint for violation of workplace wages to the Department of Employment Services (DOES)
    If you encounter issues related to these rights, contact DOES Office of Wage-Hour at (202) 671-1880 or visit https://does.dc.gov/ (file a claim).
    Employer Posting and Notification Requirements
    Employers must post and maintain these notices in a visible location where all employees have access, such as a breakroom, and distribute their anti-sexual harassment policy to all employees, including how to file a sexual harassment complaint with OHR.
    How to File a Violation Complaint with the Office of Human Rights (OHR)
    If you believe that an employer in the private sector has wrongfully denied or violated any of these rights and benefits, including a sexual harassment claim, you can file a complaint with OHR within one year of the incident; simply complete an intake questionnaire and submit it to OHR at https://ohr.dc.gov/service/file-discrimination-complaint.
    Questions about the OHR process can also be answered by phone at (202) 727-4559
    Questions about the DOES process can also be answered by phone at (202)671-1880
    For inquiries regarding the types of complaints OHR adjudicates, email OHR at [email protected], or to submit an anonymous tip, email [email protected]. 
     

More Resources