Workers in Seattle and across Washington state are already seeing severe impacts of the coronavirus crisis on our jobs, our health, our incomes, and our economy.
With tens of thousands of tech and office workers currently working from home, public events canceled, schools closed, and “social distancing” encouraged, we are seeing dramatic reductions in demand at restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses in the Seattle area. This has already led to large-scale cuts to hours for service industry workers, and it is likely not simply a short-term issue, or a localized one. Here’s how this crisis of economic security is playing out in various industries.
Please click here if you have your own story to share about how the coronavirus crisis has impacted you.
We don’t have sick days, but I’m limiting to two or three shops per day to limit exposure.
I’m over 60 and my normal oxygen intake is 94%, which is on the low end of normal range — so I’m in the high-risk category. We don’t have sick days, but I’m limiting to two or three shops on Instacart per day to limit exposure. DoorDash is out of the question for me right now because of how crowded it gets at pickup. My biggest concern is that I need to be sure my rent, car payment, and medical insurance are paid.
- Lee, instacart shopper/doordash driver
Basically, there can be no emergencies right now.
I work catering and cafe, and my hours went from 30/week to 8/week. My manager had me apply for temporary unemployment insurance. Our purse is very tight. We aren’t really doing anything for my birthday tomorrow — we already spent very little on food, but we will not be splurging tomorrow. We do have enough saved up for rent, but I think we won’t be able to pay down any credit debt (from a very expensive two-part root canal) for a couple months. That comes with penalties. Basically, there can be no emergencies right now. We need everything to go right. We had a vehicle and its repairs are too expensive, so we’re selling it for scrap.
- parker, barista/caterer
We’re all freaked out — not necessarily by the virus itself, but by the fact that most of us live month to month, paycheck to paycheck.
I work at a Greek restaurant on the Hill. Hours have been cut considerably. We’ve even started being closed a couple days a week. I’m worried about staying up on bills. If I get sick, I’ll probably lose my job. I’ve been cooking professionally for about five years and almost all of my friends are in the service industry. We’re all freaked out — not necessarily by the virus itself, but by the fact that most of us live month to month, paycheck to paycheck. It’s already slow season, but with this going on, it’s looking scary just to make rent. I’m one of the few industry folks I know who actually has insurance through my job. It’s a dodgy moment for all, and it sucks that it takes something this gargantuan to shine a light on the seriously lacking safety net we should be able to provide each other through government and policy.
- Che, cook
I am concerned about the amount of sick time I have — I have needed to take it recently to limit social contact.
I’m a production artist, and I am concerned about the amount of sick time I have — I have needed to take it recently to limit social contact. I do not have the option to work from home, and take public transit to get to work. Despite the buses now being sanitized more often, I still feel uncomfortable with being in close proximity with others because my partner has asthma, and I am not only concerned for my health but also his. I am concerned about what it will mean come the end of this month for paying rent if I cannot get paid for time spent at home.
- Francene, production artist
I can’t move with no hours.
My lease is up and if my landlord won’t renew, I don’t know what to do. I can’t move with no hours, and what if movement is heavily restricted? I couldn’t move to a new place even if I wanted to then.
- Olivia, retail/gig worker
Today I was told to stay home by my company, without pay, though I am a full-time worker.
My job is staffing events, and my partner and I both work events. I have had my hours cut this week due to event cancellations — and so has my partner. Today I was told to stay home by my company, without pay, though I am a full-time worker. We have no other income and no family support. My partner did just get a four-hour minimum for one shift, which is great, but we depend on my income mostly. This whole situation is pretty scary since we have been fighting to improve our credit for a long time. Even one late car payment can be devastating to people trying to look into getting a loan. We have passionately supported basic income this past year, and this situation seems like a kickstart to that.
- Jenny, event staff
Any absences due to being sick are being excused on a case-by-case basis, and I’m not sure of HR’s criteria for what will be excused or not.
The small company I work for had a health meeting with all the employees last week. Because of deadlines for products, the best the company is doing at this time is taking extra precautions of sanitizing common areas with a bleach/water solution. Any absences due to being sick are being excused on a case-by-case basis, and I’m not sure of HR’s criteria for what will be excused or not — they wouldn’t go into any detail in the meeting. I have only been at the company since early December. I don’t have a lot of PTO/sick leave accrued, so I’m a bit concerned about what would happen if I got sick.
- J, manufacturing worker
People are either getting shifts cut or if they aren’t seeing staffing cuts yet, making less money in tips on the days they do work.
I and most of my friends work in service, and since business has been slower everywhere (especially in downtown & Chinatown), people are either getting shifts cut or if they aren’t seeing staffing cuts yet, making less money in tips on the days they do work. For a few days it was so dead the only thing to do if we stayed on the clock was bleach and sanitize everything — while remaining on the tipped wage. Typically, when I look at my total income throughout the year, about 60-70% is tips. So that loss is a general loss of wages, which could be very bad for people if things keep going like this. Since there’s no policy in place for employers to cover lost income (tips) that they don’t normally cover, the least that a policy could do is have some kind of supplemental income assistance for people who are getting hours cut — like qualifying for unemployment if you get a certain percentage of hours cut.
- Dray, server/bartender
It was a matter of days before they decided to pull 25 people from the front desk completely.
I work at a hotel, and my job cut a LOT of employees — I want to say 30+. I have a lot of friends who work in hotels who have had their shifts cut or just been laid off due to our entire work being based off tourism. All they’re being told is to apply for unemployment. Since I work overnight, they’re deciding to keep us for now unless things change — but everything has been evolving quickly. It was a matter of days before they decided to pull 25 people from the front desk completely so all those people currently don’t have jobs and aren’t getting paid. I’m afraid they’re going to cut me too and I’ve been looking for other places that are hiring, because I don’t have a safety net.
- Aaron, hotel clerk
I’m on immune-suppressing drugs, and every contact I make increases my risk — but I don’t have the option of not working, even if I get sick.
I’ve been seeing a decrease in demand and lower tips on Instacart — people are worried about the virus, so they don’t want to spend money on deliveries or tips. Between the decrease in orders and some recent changes Instacart has made to lower pay, I have had to start with Grubhub. That means I’m in contact with more customers throughout the day.
I am disabled and in a higher risk group to get the virus. I’m on immune-suppressing drugs, and every contact I make increases my risk — but I don’t have the option of not working, even if I get sick, if I want to keep my house and support my family.
- Shay, Instacart shopper/Grubhub driver
I’m a newish employee so I don’t have any sick time yet, and neither do some other employees.
I work in a grocery store, and we’ve been busier than hell for a week. Even overnight, I’m constantly around people and coworkers. I’m a newish employee so I don’t have any sick time yet, and neither do some other employees. I couldn’t call out if I felt sick. I already have two points on my record for calling out to take care of my sister with vertigo.
- Terran, grocery store worker
They’re trying to keep hours normal, but we closed one to two hours early this week.
Working at a flower shop, we saw an uptick in Get Well arrangements before the outbreak was announced. Still seeing a lot of Get Well arrangements now, but business is a lot slower. Lots of the orders we would usually get from offices and building lobbies aren’t coming in because they’re all closed. They’re trying to keep hours normal, but we closed one to two hours early this week.
- Zeph, retail worker
Had a total of four customers in our regularly busy downtown bar on a weekend night this weekend, so bartenders barely made anything.
At the venue where I work, we’ve cut the number of servers per shift in half due to low demand. Had a total of four customers in our regularly busy downtown bar on a weekend night this weekend, so bartenders barely made anything. I also had a weeklong stage management/light design gig canceled for the end of April because the school has gone into a six-week closure and the performances will likely no longer happen. I’m self-employed, and we didn’t yet have a contract so I don’t have any kind of cancellation fee in place. So that’s probably a $1000 gig gone for me.
- Faith, production manager
Online access is likely going to be a struggle for many students.
I teach undergrads, and universities are going just online. My students and I would appreciate free municipal internet in the whole region so they can do their part online effectively (or at least not on their data plans). Online access is likely going to be a struggle for many students.
- Bara, college instructor
Given how narrow our margins are, a few weeks like this is devastating.
The service industry is being especially hard hit. The main issue for us is all the social isolation, which means people aren’t coming or spending money with us. So given how narrow our margins are, a few weeks like this is devastating. We need ways to cut hours without losing good staff, or make up shortages for paying bills/payroll.
- Beca, coffee shop owner
I’ve been wanting to call out to avoid exposure, but then I’ll get charged $160 for every shift I call out for.
The club I work at has been super dead. I’ve been wanting to call out to avoid exposure, but then I’ll get charged $160 for every shift I call out for. So I’m going in, risking my health for little to no money, just so I don’t owe MORE. At least if I show up and make something, the amount I owe or will be backrented will be less. It’s a very concerning situation, money and health-wise.
- Amanda, stripper
The cut in hours is stressing me out because what am I supposed to do, just not pay rent or buy groceries?
Shifts have been cut in half and we are open shorter hours during the day. I need 15-20 hours to survive (depending on the tips) and with the COVID I’m lucky if I can get 15. Luckily my parents gave me money to complete school, so the worst that can happen is delaying my return to school and putting off graduation another year or two. But the cut in hours is stressing me out because what am I supposed to do, just not pay rent or buy groceries? Also, I have to think a lot more about leaving the house, considering people have been attacking Asians for just existing. I’m low-key scared to sneeze in public outside of places like the U District where there is a large population of us.
- Sarah, food service worker
I’m a private contractor, which means I get a percentage for every client, and we’re getting TONS of cancellations.
I am a massage therapist. I’m a private contractor, which means I get a percentage for every client, and we’re getting TONS of cancellations. We also have people who have private practice where they rent their room and keep all of their earnings. All of us are affected financially. Even the owner of the shop is sending out amazing massage deals to entice people to come in — like where she only makes $9 off the massage. As a healthcare provider, all we can do is educate our clients and continue to practice healthy hygiene habits mandated by the state. By all means, if someone is ill or has been exposed, they should definitely cancel. I can’t afford to get sick on top of losing income from no clients for the last three days. But it’s causing stress and fear of not being able to pay my bills.
- Gladis, massage therapist
I’ve had jobs cancel due to lack of people traveling or leaving the house, or working from home.
I work full-time and two part-time jobs. One part-time job is dog-sitting and animal care. I’ve had jobs cancel due to lack of people traveling or leaving the house, or working from home. In the event that my full-time job closes (non-essential staff at a treatment facility), we do not get paid. I don’t know what I would do, get my car repossessed and lose my apartment and get behind on my medical and dental bills, tank my credit again and not eat?
- Jillian, treatment facility worker/animal sitter
Tips have been more than cut in half — and they make up at least half, if not more, of our monthly income.
I’m a lead barista in a coffee shop inside a government building in Pioneer Square. I’d say 98% of our customers work in or around the building. With everyone who’s able being asked to telecommute, it’s hit us pretty hard. Tips have been more than cut in half — and they make up at least half, if not more, of our monthly income. We’re also closing early or staffing lighter (cutting hours). Staffing lighter also means whoever is on shift is doing the work that is typically done by two people and making less hourly because of the drop in tips.
- T, barista
My friend got forcibly laid off for three weeks because they had no hours for her after classes shut down.
My friend who works at Seattle U for Chartwells got forcibly laid off for three weeks because they had no hours for her after classes shut down. She has to collect unemployment.
- Sabina
I personally have paid sick leave — but not the 2+ weeks needed if I get sick or need quarantining.
Tribal geoduck divers can’t sell like they usually do to Asian buyers right now, which is a huge economic hardship on already struggling people. That is not my personal experience, but it’s close to me. I personally have paid sick leave — but not the 2+ weeks needed if I get sick or need quarantining. I’ve only worked at my job for a few months and haven’t built up much sick or vacation time yet, but I feel obligated to stay home when even a little sick because I do not want to risk the elders there.
- B, tribal youth program worker
If I were to get sick, I would either have to keep going to work while sick, or lose my job quarantining myself.
As a part-time employee, at my job, I don’t accrue sick leave hours, and I can only call out three shifts in a row without having to provide HR with medical proof from a doctor that I cannot be there, at which point there’s some paperwork involved. If I were to get sick, I would either have to keep going to work while sick, or lose my job quarantining myself, with our current rules for part-time employees and sick leave — unless I was able to get medical proof within three shifts, and get everything sorted with HR to prove that I couldn’t be there, which seems unlikely.
- Colin, pet hotel worker
They haven’t decided yet what they’ll do about pay if they have to shut down entirely.
I usually work at my lunch catering service twice a week (10-12 hours) while I’m in school. My hours have been cut down to zero. We have an inclement weather policy where if you’re scheduled to work and we get snowed out, we get paid for two hours each day we would have worked, but they’re refusing to apply that policy in this case. They haven’t decided yet what they’ll do about pay if they have to shut down entirely. It’s my only source of income. I’m lucky enough to have a bit of a financial safety net, but the net isn’t that big, so if my hours are down to zero next week, and the next, and the next, I don’t know what I’ll do.
- Johanna, host/server
Limited PTO and chronic understaffing will almost certainly lead to sick staff working.
Limited PTO and chronic understaffing will almost certainly lead to sick staff working and/or staff getting sick as a result of working overtime to cover for sick staff.
- Alex, concierge at a condominium
My work even though it’s a chain is cutting shifts and potentially letting people go.
My work even though it’s a chain/corporate is cutting shifts and potentially letting people go. I’m so confused on how our company is supposed to protect its employees during all of this.
- June, food service worker
I may have had and spread coronavirus. How many other gig workers may have and be spreading the virus?
I believe I have already been sick with coronavirus. I went to the ER with extreme flu-like symptoms, coughing and gasping for breath with a fever of 103. I was unable to get tested, and I was sick for most of February. Although extremely weak, constantly coughing, and having trouble taking a full breath, I kept making deliveries.
This is my only source of income. While sick, I missed a few days and was only able to work about half of my shifts. I am feeling better, but still not good. I lost a lot of income while sick. I’m behind on everything — rent, electric bill, phone bill — and I don’t know how I will recover. I may have had and spread coronavirus. How many other gig workers may have and be spreading the virus?
- Carmen, Postmates/DoorDash/Grubhub driver
Management doesn’t want to hire more because fewer customers are coming in.
I work for a restaurant that just opened. I’m a full-time student and really only want to work 2 or 3 days. But I’m one of two servers/bartenders. Management doesn’t want to hire more because fewer customers are coming in. So I’m in a position that I have to come in every day. My schoolwork is suffering, but I need to work.
- Kristene, server
I tapped out all of my sick & safe time and PTO last week, and I’m contemplating whether or not I will go back to work this week even though my symptoms haven’t entirely cleared up.
I work for an office catering company. The majority of employees at my company are part-time because of the nature of the work. Our business is decimated. A majority of our clients are exactly the kind of big tech companies that can afford to tell everyone to work from home for the month. Numbers I was quoted were that *last* Monday we had 12 orders, whereas normally we have 60. It might be worse by this point, but I’ve been home for the past week and a half sick with something else. Internal message boards make it sound like some of the newer employees are moving on — they’ve possibly been told to do so, but if so, I’m not privy.
I was told that as one of the more senior and capable employees, they are going to do everything they can to keep giving us hours, but they cannot guarantee a certain number a week — which previously we would’ve been able to request. I tapped out all of my sick & safe time and PTO last week, and I’m contemplating whether or not I will go back to work this week even though my symptoms haven’t entirely cleared up. I’m looking at various other gig opportunities, such as warehouse work and grocery delivery.
- Linzi, office caterer
I am deeply fearful that my hours will get cut or that the higher-ups will shut the doors without pay for an extended window of time.
I work at a museum. We have seen most field trips, some external and all internal events cancelled. Our visitor numbers have dropped as well. There are talks about shutting the doors temporarily. Most of the staff is full-time hourly or salaried. However, my department is primarily part-time workers. We accrue sick time and PTO at a significantly slower rate than most of our colleagues — I accrue about 5 hours of PTO & sick time a month. Not going to go very far in a pandemic. I am deeply fearful that my hours will get cut or that the higher-ups will shut the doors without pay for an extended window of time. In addition, I fear I will get sick and burn through my small amount of accrued time. And then what? Part-time workers need protections. We need wages. We need better benefits for situations like this.
- Lee, museum visitor services associate
They are sending teachers home and saying we have to use vacation time if we want the rest of the hours for the day.
I work for an early education center in Bellevue and a lot of the kids are leaving or staying home to be safe from the virus, so the need for teachers is low. They are sending teachers home and saying we have to use vacation time if we want the rest of the hours for the day. Because of a company policy, we can’t use sick time — only vacation time. That’s fine for some people, but I’m new to the center and have no vacation time, so I could be sent home because of lack of attendance, and not get paid for the rest of the day. I recently moved to Seattle, so income is very crucial for me.
- Ryan, teacher
Our hours aren’t being cut, and we’re still expected to be within fifteen minutes of the clinic for walk-in appointments for our entire shift, but we aren’t paid if no one comes in.
My clinic is in Queen Anne, so our clients are almost all from Gates Foundation, Amazon, and Microsoft. There have been a large number of cancellations of late, primarily because of people working from home. Which, don’t get me wrong, is fantastic and greatly helps reduce the spread. It just has made it difficult for me and others in my field, as we are paid per massage hour, not given an hourly wage. The paycheck I got on Friday was $51.
Being paid per massage hour worked puts us in a fairly difficult place. Our hours aren’t being cut, and we’re still expected to be within fifteen minutes of the clinic for walk-in appointments for our entire shift, but we aren’t paid if no one comes in — which from what I’ve seen is a fairly common practice in the medical massage field. I live in Tacoma, so I bus in — I have to be on-site for my entire shift because if I go home, I can’t guarantee I’d be able to be back within fifteen minutes of a walk-in client arriving.
- Nerea, massage therapist
I haven’t been able to go to work since the Friday before last and I won’t again until this Thursday at the earliest.
My job is located at a pool inside of a public school, so when the school is closed, I don’t work. I haven’t been able to go to work since the Friday before last and I won’t again until this Thursday at the earliest. It’s my only job and it’s not salaried. I’ve been going to interviews this past week because I need a second job anyway, but everyone’s pushing start dates until near the end of the month. I’m not sure how I’m going to pay my bills.
- Andrew, swim teacher
My partner’s work — setting up and building booths for trade shows — has all been cancelled for the month.
My work made some positive changes, but my partner’s work — setting up and building booths for trade shows — has all been cancelled for the month. Since he works events, I’m not sure how any work from home could be done. I’m getting top surgery this month and will be out of work for two weeks, and my paid medical leave probably won’t process and pay out until late April or May, so it’s definitely stressful.
- Dan
My work is going to skeleton crews and I had a shift cut this morning. It’s bleak.
My work is going to skeleton crews and I had a shift cut this morning. It’s bleak. I’m also a single parent of a school-aged child, who will be at home for the next two weeks. There’s a possibility my ex can work from home moving forward, and I have an amazing safety net — but I’m so worried about other families that don’t have those resources.
- Danaelle, front-of-house restaurant staff
I filed for temporary unemployment benefits, but for now I don’t have any reliable source of income.
I work for a catering company and I’ve been called off work for the past week already and don’t have the sick time for this. Still holding out some hope that I’ll get some hours over the weekend, but it’s not looking good. I was already stretched thin financially due to having to take some unexpected time off to help my mom who lives in Portland. I work on TaskRabbit too, but not getting much in the way of job offers there. I filed for temporary unemployment benefits, but for now I don’t have any reliable source of income.
- Corrie, caterer/gig worker
Our local artists are feeling the strain.
I sell at Pike Place Market. Our local artists are feeling the strain, as well as Real Change vendors downtown.
- Erica, vendor
Every event that I had scheduled cancelled. No work, no pay.
Every event that I had scheduled cancelled. No work, no pay. I’m going to a resume workshop on Thursday and just going from there.
- Duane, caterer
If it goes into April, then I will definitely be concerned about being able to make ends meet.
Already had $845 in loss of income from cancelled gigs in the Seattle/Tacoma area, with potential for more. Currently I’m not concerned with making ends meet as I always have an emergency fund budgeted, but I still worry about how long this pandemic will force cancellations of events. If it goes into April, then I will definitely be concerned about being able to make ends meet. Every penny is vital as a freelancer, and every penny has impact as part of my operating budget. I do in-home petsitting as well through Rover and my own business, so luckily I don’t have any rent payments as I’m able to get housing that way, but I am absolutely concerned that my upcoming gigs in petsitting will be cancelled because people won’t want to travel. Currently I have some money coming in, but tomorrow that could totally change.
- Carrie, freelance musician/pet sitter
Between trainings being rescheduled or cancelled, I’ve lost $10k+ in gross revenue.
I’m a consultant/trainer. So as trainings are rescheduled or cancelled, it affects my business a lot. Luckily, I do consulting too, which pays less, but something. This was the month I was waiting for as it was the first busy month after the holiday, and one of the last before the summer slump. As a result, between trainings being rescheduled or cancelled, I’ve lost $10k+ in gross revenue.
- ChrisTiana, consultant/trainer
My hours are so low as it is that losing just a couple students is a significant chunk of my income.
I’m a tutor so my job is entirely dependent on students being able to come in / having anything to work on — I don’t have fixed hours even in normal times. I’m able to shift to online sessions but have no idea how many will want to, and public school closures look likely. My hours are so low as it is that losing just a couple students is a significant chunk of my income, and if it weren’t for an unexpected boon last month I’d be pretty nervous about making rent right now.
- Mercury, tutor
Not sure how I will pay my bills in April.
I’m a health care aide, and I’m losing shifts. Not sure how I will pay my bills in April.
- Lindsay, health care aide
Last night we had about half of what I typically expect to see on a Sunday night.
I work at a pet boarding facility. I work overnight so my job is secure as far as I know — if hours get cut, it’s going to be the day shifts probably, not me. But demand has been way lower than usual. We were expecting to start seeing a rise in boarders as we get closer to spring break, but last night we had about half of what I typically expect to see on a Sunday night. I am very worried if we don’t make numbers for spring break.
- Cass, animal care worker
Lots of cancellations. Fear abounds.
I work in the mental health field. Lots of cancellations. Fear abounds. I am also worried about our art community. Shows are being cancelled left and right.
- Heather, mental health counselor
I am on immune-suppressant drugs, so now I’m having to weigh taking sick time up to six days before I’d be going unpaid, or risking infection and putting my entire household at risk of losing income.
I work with a Montessori school in SLU that serves a ton of Amazon families who are now working from home. The company put in place a temporary measure where we can take sick hours up to -24 before they’ll stop paying us, but most people I know either don’t have enough sick time saved up for that to matter much or haven’t been working there long enough to accrue sick time. They are also using this measure to allow anyone who is immuno-compromised or elderly to take leaves of absence to isolate themselves from harm — but again, not everyone can do that.
The other measure they’ve taken is in the event that they end up closing the school for quarantine, they’ll pay us for up to three weeks. But that’s only if they close the school, which will only happen if we end up having someone in the building directly exposed or SPS closes. I ended up in urgent care earlier because of asthma complications and am now on immune-suppressant drugs to help treat it, so now I’m having to weigh taking sick time up to -24 hours (which would be six days for me before I’d be going unpaid) or risking infection and putting my entire household at risk of losing income. If I’m exposed to COVID-19, both my roommates end up in quarantine with me for two weeks minimum, and guess what? There goes our rent.
- Emily, teacher
Hours are being cut back, but right now they are saying that they are doing everything they can.
I work for a company that provides shuttle services in buses to corporations in the city. Hours are being cut back, but right now they are saying that they are doing everything they can to keep everyone at full-time hours (we were all in overtime a lot before) and avoiding layoffs. People are definitely worried though.
- Ezra, transportation worker
I can’t get tested. If I tested positive, I would be quarantined for two weeks after my symptoms disappear — I can’t afford that.
I’m home sick right now with all the symptoms of coronavirus. I didn’t panic, I was careful, but I did over a hundred deliveries on Postmates last week because I needed the money — that’s probably where I got sick. I had to stop working on Friday because I got a fever. I probably should have stopped sooner, but I just paid my rent and my bank account was overdrawn. So I decided to keep working. I told myself, there’s no way I have coronavirus.
Now, I’m pretty sure I’ve got it — but I can’t get tested. If I tested positive, I would be quarantined for two weeks after my symptoms disappear — I can’t afford that. I’m sure I’m not the only one in that position. I have a family to feed, and my wife had to stop working a few weeks ago because she’s about to have a baby.
I have a bad cough and a fever. It’s not going away, and I can’t leave the house. Financially, it’s going to be devastating. I regularly work seven days a week and I’m usually overdrawn after my landlord cashes the check. And I think it’s extremely contagious — I hope I didn’t infect anyone.
- Chris, DoorDash/Postmates driver
They said I was their first choice, but have decided to wait to fill the position.
I interviewed for a job in marketing two weeks ago. They said I was their first choice, but have decided to wait to fill the position.
- Tuffano
We’re being decimated and destroyed.
I manage a restaurant and work in reception in a hotel — we’re being decimated and destroyed. If you work tech, or office, or something where you work from home — you have zero clue how rough it is for us. We’re going down under this. I’m personally doing all I can to protect my employees — but there’s only so much I can do.
- M, restaurant manager/hotel receptionist
I am going to struggle financially from the loss of work and having run out of PTO.
I am a low-wage worker on my 7th day off of work because I have had a cough, running nose, and sore throat for ten days. I am going to struggle financially from the loss of work and having run out of PTO.
- Casey, school groundskeeper
Consistency of my work is crucial to maintain my level of income.
Right now, I’m seeing more and higher-paying batches on Instacart as people order more food. But I’m concerned about availability of gigs going down, since demand can shift at any time. Consistency of my work is crucial to maintain my level of income.
- Bettina, Instacart shopper
So far, I’ve had two clients today — whereas I normally have 10-30.
I’m self-employed full-time and work on commission. So far, I’ve had two clients today — whereas I normally have 10-30. I had the flu around two weeks ago and missed my weekend days (busiest time). I was fortunately able to pick up an extra day this week, but that wouldn’t have been the case if we were still overstaffed. I had to charge a couple big bills due to not having available funds at the time.
- R, body piercer
If I wasn’t being supported by my boyfriend and parents, I’d be in trouble.
My hours are dependent on people signing up for workshops; we’ve had a big drop in attendance. If I wasn’t being supported by my boyfriend and parents, I’d be in trouble. He’s our breadwinner, and the money I make goes to paying my student loans. He is a mechanical engineer in the aviation industry, and right now his company is one of the few of its kind still working on contracts. They’re in a niche anyway, but it’s worrying.
- Morgen, workshop assistant
I get zero hours this week and probably next week.
I have two jobs — I work as a lab tech at Seattle Central College, and as an art teacher in after-school programs for children. That job is linked to elementary schools — if the public schools cancel after-school programs (and some have), then people like me lose work. My boss is scrambling to keep us employed by giving us behind-the-scenes work, but there are only so many of those she can give out before the company is losing money.
My lab tech job has suspended all hours because Seattle Colleges moved all courses to distance learning format — I get zero hours this week and probably next week. If next quarter is also all digital from the beginning, I’ll likely be SOL for that job, and it accounts for a third of my income. I don’t know if I qualify for unemployment under these circumstances. My other job is linked to elementary schools.
- Dendron, art teacher/lab tech
My job is non-essential, but it cannot be done remotely, so I was given the choice to either just not work at all or to go in.
The rest of my workplace has been cut down to only essential personnel, and some people are working remotely. My job is non-essential, but it cannot be done remotely, so I was given the choice to either just not work at all or to go in. I work all alone in a file room, so I feel fairly safe going in — plus, I don’t get paid if I don’t work, which is a consideration.
- Ragen, office worker
At this point, an eviction is a death sentence.
I’m primarily a freelance worker, though I also do an online-based gig, video captioning. I lost a major freelance gig — 60% of my income — right before coronavirus really broke in WA. Now, I’m semi-quarantined because I’m in a higher risk group. Applying for jobs to replace that income is out of the question for me, and I expect it to be hard to find replacement clients for remote freelance work, because of the downturn caused by coronavirus (fewer freelance projects out there) and a flood of confined workers eager for remote work during the crisis.
Income replacement and an eviction moratorium are important to me. At this point, an eviction is a death sentence. It already is that, to everyone — or at least a severe form of social exclusion that puts people’s lives at risk. But a coronavirus-related downturn could push me there, and there’s no way to care for myself when I’m sick.
- D, freelancer/gig worker
I rely completely on tips. I’ve lost a lot of money due to the virus.
I’m a stripper, and I rely completely on tips. I’ve lost a lot of money due to the virus. My coworkers & I were already having a lot of issues with the club, and now with the coronavirus and slow business on top of everything, it’s just way worse. I just took out another student loan to survive.
- Tina, stripper
They don’t know how to create a work-at-home program for us, and have stated policy that they won’t close for anything.
I work in an office building close to downtown Seattle. It’s a huge company full of workers coughing all over the place, but because we still work in HIPPA-protected paper files, they don’t know how to create a work-at-home program for us, and have stated policy that they won’t close for anything. We have a lot of elderly and chronically ill staff and it has me very worried for their safety. In particular, we work in a super old building. And I know that’s the norm all over the urban centers. We’ve got all these buildings grandfathered in with outdated amenities. It makes me wonder about our gross old air circulation system in my work building. How much our risk levels are elevated based on how air gets moved around a crowded cubicle farm. My company can’t even be bothered to make disinfectant wipes/cleaning supplies available. I brought my own.
- Bree, office worker
I’m honestly dreading going into work in about twenty minutes to find out if I’m scheduled for tomorrow.
In addition to working at a nonprofit, I have a part-time line cook job at a small family-owned counter service restaurant in Pike Place Market. We’re definitely in lower demand. Sales are way way down. I started the job exactly two weeks ago. We got our first COVID death in WA state the next day. Over that weekend, my only two coworkers other than the owners were fired. I strongly suspect that low revenue may have pushed our owner over the edge in firing them.
I only get four five-hour shifts a week. So far I’ve had at least one shift a week cancelled. I was able to reclaim my shift from last week by convincing them to let me work on their website. This week, I was supposed to work on Monday, then it was shifted to Tuesday and then to Wednesday. I haven’t been able to effectively plan or manage my free time. They kept delaying my shift because of store revenue. I’m honestly dreading going into work in about twenty minutes to find out if I’m scheduled for tomorrow. If I was making good money or if these were longer shifts, I wouldn’t be complaining.
The ironic thing is that, given my professions and the fact that they’re both situated in a tourist destination, I’m in the perfect position to catch and spread COVID. I believe that the county must implement the suspension of rent/mortgage payments immediately in order to stop this virus from spreading.
- Stevie, line cook
My boss has repeatedly thanked me for my flexibility, but I am not sure how she expects me to pay my rent and bills without all of this work.
Like many, all of my hours for the rest of this month have been cut for my part-time job due to COVID-19. I work part-time for a small nonprofit arts organization in downtown Seattle that runs kids’ workshops. Within the last two weeks, all schools have canceled our workshops this month and my boss canceled all our in-office workshops. I am currently their only part-time employee — all three other full-time employees are still working full days from home. Unlike them, I have been left with all my workshops this month canceled (at least 50 hours of work lost till the end of March, and if this continues it will be more!). They are not paying me for any of the time that I was scheduled to work, it is beyond frustrating. As a part-time employee, I am not sure what my rights are to be paid for scheduled work. My boss has repeatedly thanked me for my flexibility, but I am not sure how she expects me to pay my rent and bills without all of this work.
- Marina, nonprofit worker
My tips have decreased by about 30% at the Capitol Hill bar/restaurant I serve at.
I lost two shifts this week at the Belltown sushi restaurant I work at, and my tips have decreased by about 30% at the Capitol Hill bar/restaurant I serve at.
- Colleen, server/host
They canceled or postponed all shows, meaning all the shifts I have are no longer happening.
I have lost my main source of income, which was working at a venue. They canceled or postponed all shows, meaning all the shifts I have are no longer happening. I’m now trying to find another job to get by until the ban is lifted. I’m genuinely super worried about my livelihood and ability to make rent.
- Vincent, event staff
The uncertainty is terrible. We don’t know how long and how serious this will be.
Rideshare has been down a lot. I feel lucky now to make half of what I usually make. Thank God I have some savings I can use now, but if this happened a few years ago, I would be in big trouble paying rent, all other bills, and food. It’s so messed up. The uncertainty is terrible. We don’t know how long and how serious this will be.
- Moe, Uber driver
I’m lucky to be in Section 8 housing, but for the vendors who are homeless or have bills to pay with this money, they’re really struggling.
Sales are down for 95% of us selling Real Change, because it’s dead out here. I’m not really making anything — which is really uncommon. This is how I make my living — and for me it’s a great living when it’s working. In a four-hour period I typically make $100-$150 — but I’ve been out for an hour and a half today and made $8. It’s down by at least a third to half everywhere, so a lot of us are not making money we’re used to making. I’m lucky to be in Section 8 housing, but for the vendors who are homeless or have bills to pay with this money, they’re really struggling.
- Crystal, Real Change vendor
Each day brings the potential for more impact as school districts, symphonic organizations, and others make decisions.
I’m a freelance pianist who works with many organizations in the South Sound. Due to the coronavirus precautions and mandates, every day brings new cancellations and loss. All my ensemble rehearsals and courses are cancelled at PLU, where I work as an hourly employee. My Symphony Tacoma rehearsals and concert have been cancelled. Puyallup High School has cancelled rehearsals and a concert, for which I am a pianist.
All together, these add up to over $1,100 of lost wages. Each day brings the potential for more impact as school districts, symphonic organizations, and others make decisions. I am married, and my husband is a musician as well — he has also been impacted, with three choral festivals cancelled in the past days. The financial impact for me is significant, but not yet disastrous. If it were to continue for more than two months, it would be essential that I find a different career. That WOULD be disastrous.
- Amy, pianist
30% of the orders we’re getting are for items that are out of stock, so we have to spend half an hour on the phone with support to get the order cancelled before we can get a new one.
I’ve been working on Instacart and DoorDash for the last year, in addition to my job as a nanny. We’re really putting our lives out there on the line, shopping and delivering to customers — I’m worried about getting sick, so I’ve spend my own money on hand sanitizer, gloves, and other protective measures. Luckily, Instacart has been incredibly busy for me since the crisis hit — last week was my highest-paying week so far. But 30% of the orders we’re getting are for items that are out of stock, so we have to spend half an hour on the phone with support to get the order cancelled before we can get a new one. That means I’m spending hours of unpaid wait time on the phone — and I also lose any tips that came with that order, which I really depend on because the base pay is so low.
- Jordan, Instacart shopper/DoorDash driver/nanny
They said they’d email me with a schedule, but I haven’t gotten anything, so I’m just waiting to see if it cools down.
I’m a bartender at a local chain. The location I work at has been relatively stable, but our South Lake Union location has gotten hit really hard — they’ve been talking about closing altogether, and they’ve been sending workers from SLU here for shifts. I want them to have work, but it means we get less hours and tips — I wish there was some way for all of us to be taken care of.
I also work as a pastry cook at a private club, and I was completely taken off the schedule there. I don’t have sick and safe time accrued, so it’s a real concern. I have no idea how long it’s going to go on. They said they’d email me with a schedule, but I haven’t gotten anything, so I’m just waiting to see if it cools down. I’m worried about all my bills, student loans from culinary school, rent — I could look for other work, but it seems like everyone is looking for work right now, so I’m not sure what I could even find.
- Heather, bartender/pastry cook
Being pregnant puts me on the list of people who should avoid the virus. I wouldn't be able to work even if it wasn't so dead. So I'm totally out of work.
I've only worked two weekend nights recently — one before coronavirus hit, and one right after. The one after was HORRIBLE. I won't be able to work at all for several reasons: I live with my 70+-year-old parents and they don't want me in big public places, and I'm four months pregnant. Being pregnant puts me on the list of people who should avoid the virus. I wouldn't be able to work even if it wasn't so dead. So I'm totally out of work.
- Eliza, stripper
A friend of mine was laid off from her server job at a restaurant on Capitol Hill because of the lower demand.
The impact on the service industry has been intense, especially for people who work near offices that are switching to remote work. A friend of mine was laid off from her server job at a restaurant on Capitol Hill because of the lower demand. This definitely affects restaurant workers — and any kind of support lawmakers can give to provide a safety net for us would be helpful.
- Andy, server
I’m concerned for the hourly employees who provide vital services to our students after school, before school, and at lunch.
Teaching staff will be getting paid for the next two weeks while school is closed — but some of our hourly staff members won’t, like our lunchtime supervisors and after-school program workers. They have no representation, and they’re just not getting paid right now.
The big concern is, if in two weeks we’re still out, we don’t really know what will happen — obviously the district won’t want to pay us for not working. I’m not sure why we can’t make sure people get everyone gets paid for all this time, even if we need to stay closed beyond two weeks. While I’m sure we will come to some kind of agreement for union staff at schools, I’m concerned for the hourly employees who provide vital services to our students after school, before school, and at lunch — and this money is already budgeted out, so why is the district trying to save money instead of using it to pay staff? These people also have bills to pay.