SEA-MC tit. 4, ch. 4.40 — CITY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM | Seattle Municipal Code (Supp. No. 44: codified through Ordinance No. 127459, passed June 30, 2026) — Seattle

Seattle Mun. Code § 4.40.010 Unemployment insurance program—Generally

4.40.010 - Unemployment insurance program—Generally A. A program of unemployment insurance is established for eligible employees of the City, including all such eligible employees of the Seattle Public Library upon adoption by the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Public Library of a resolution providing therefor. Employees whose service and pay are interrupted by layoff for lack of work or funds after November 1, 1974, including temporary employees who have completed a stipulated period of employment, and who were employed full time by the City continuously for a period of one year immediately preceding such layoff, and who are not excluded by Section 4.40.030, and who provide evidence that they are available for and actively seeking employment, shall be entitled to receive unemployment compensation benefits for a maximum benefit period of 26 weeks in an amount not less than $17 per week nor more than 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage as determined annually by the Washington State Department of Employment Security, under the conditions established in and as more fully described in Comptroller File 280329. An employee who has been on leave of absence during the year immediately prior to layoff shall be deemed in continuous employment immediately preceding such layoff for purposes of eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits as provided herein, but such leave time when taken without pay shall not be included in the computation of the one year requirement. B. The Seattle Human Resources Director is authorized and directed to administer the unemployment insurance program, and in such connection may promulgate administrative regulations from time to time in the manner provided in Chapter 3.02 to carry out the intent and purpose of this Chapter 4.40. The Director is further authorized to contract for necessary consulting services, for reinsurance, and for such other services as may be necessary from time to time to administer the unemployment insurance program. C. Beginning January 1, 1978, the Seattle Human Resources Director shall administer an unemployment insurance claims management system. The Director shall have the authority to employ such persons, in accordance with civil service laws and rules, make such expenditures, require such reports, make such investigations and to take such other action as he deems necessary or suitable in limiting the City's unemployment compensation liability and in operating a claims management system. The Director shall also coordinate and manage all recordkeeping and reporting functions required under the State Employment Tax Act and the Director is designated as the liaison for unemployment insurance purposes between the City, state and/or federal officials and agencies. All department heads are directed to cooperate with and aid the Seattle Human Resources Director in the operation of a successful claims management system. D. Beginning January 1, 1978, the program of unemployment insurance shall be continued for all eligible employees of the City by virtue of the mandates and pursuant to the provisions of the State Employment Security Act (Title 50 RCW). This subsection has been enacted to comply with the provisions of Title 50 RCW, which mandate unemployment insurance coverage for political subdivisions. This subsection shall remain in effect only for so long as such mandatory coverage provisions of Title 50 RCW remain effective. E. In the event the mandatory coverage ceases to be effective, then the section or subsections of this amendatory chapter, to the extent that they apply to unemployment insurance coverage of City employees under the State Employment Security Act (Title 50 RCW), shall be deemed nullified and the language of the sections being amended shall be reinstated. F. Represented employees, where the City has agreed so under current effective bargaining agreements, shall be assured of a weekly benefit amount under the state's program which is equivalent to the weekly benefit amount provided under subsection 4.40.010.A. G. No employee of the City shall be entitled to collect City unemployment compensation benefits while drawing unemployment compensation benefits from another source. The intent of this subsection 4.40.010.G is to prevent an employee from collecting more than the maximum weekly benefit amount, regardless of the source, assured under subsections 4.40.010.B and 4.40.010.D for the same base year wages. (Ord. 124567, § 70, 2014 [department head name change]; Ord. 107063, § 1, 1977; Ord. 104749, § 1, 1975; Ord. 104083, § 1, 1974.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 4.40.020 Unemployment Insurance Fund established

4.40.020 - Unemployment Insurance Fund established There is established in the City Treasury an Unemployment Insurance Fund. The unemployment insurance program established by this Chapter 4.40 shall be funded by appropriate billings from the Seattle Human Resources Director to all departments with eligible employees and such other revenues as may be authorized by ordinance. From this Fund shall be paid all costs and expenses, including administrative costs, arising from the unemployment insurance program and such other expenditures as may be authorized by ordinance. (Ord. 125492, § 31, 2017; Ord. 124567, § 71, 2014 [department head name change and style update]; Ord. 120489, § 1, 2001; Ord. 117977, § 4, 1995; Ord. 116368, § 103, 1992; Ord. 107063, § 2, 1977; Ord. 104083, § 2, 1974.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 4.40.030 Excluded employees

4.40.030 - Excluded employees The following City employees are excluded from the City unemployment insurance program and shall not be entitled to benefits under the program, provided that beginning January 1, 1978 this Section 4.40.030 shall only apply according to the provisions of subsections 4.40.010.D and 4.40.010.E : A. Employees represented by the Police Officers Guild; B. Employees represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local No. 27; C. Employees of the City who are employed under personal service contracts; D. Employees whose salaries are funded by state or federal grants, except: 1. Where employees are included in the program by collective bargaining agreements with the City, or 2. Where the agency making the grant agrees to fund the costs incurred by participation in the program, or 3. Where the conditions of the grant provide that employees funded by the grant must be afforded benefits to the same extent as other employees. (Ord. 107063, § 3, 1977; Ord. 105990, § 1, 1976; Ord. 104083, § 3, 1974.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 4.40.040 Repayment of benefits to which one is not entitled

4.40.040 - Repayment of benefits to which one is not entitled Anyone receiving a payment from the City pursuant to this Chapter 4.40 to which he or she is not entitled shall promptly repay the same to the Director of Finance and Administrative Services. (Ord. 123361, § 100, 2010 [department head name change]; Ord. 120794, § 66, 2002 [department head name change]; Ord. 116368, § 104, 1992 [department head name change]; Ord. 107063, § 4, 1977; Ord. 104083, § 4, 1974.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 4.40.050 Violation—Penalty

4.40.050 - Violation—Penalty A. Anyone who knowingly makes any false statement or representation with intent to secure benefits to which he or she is not entitled under this Chapter 4.40, and anyone who retains any payments made pursuant to this chapter knowing that he or she is not entitled to retain the same, shall be guilty of a violation of this Chapter 4.40, and upon conviction thereof may be punished by a civil fine or forfeiture not to exceed $500, but a conviction of a violation shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on the conviction of a criminal offense. B. Notwithstanding the civil nature of the penalty provided herein, nothing in this Section 4.40.050 shall deny any constitutional rights which a defendant would have were the penalty deemed criminal. (Ord. 107063, § 5, 1977; Ord. 104083, § 5, 1974.)