750,000 workers in Philly now have new labor protections with the POWER Act!
May 08 2025
After three years of domestic worker-led organizing, Philly passes the POWER Act!
Learn More Aprende MásDomestic workers do critical work to keep homes and loved ones safe, doing the work that makes all other work possible. Despite this, they have been excluded from labor protections at the local, state, and federal levels because of this country’s legacy of enslavement. That’s why multiracial, multilingual domestic workers decided to come together to win labor rights for the first time in Philadelphia history, unanimously winning landmark labor protections through the Philadelphia Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. This historic law came into effect on May 1, 2020 and gives nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers working in Philadelphia critical workplace protections.
Since then, the Pennsylvania Chapter of NDWA has worked hard to educate workers on their rights and organize to make sure they are respected. We know that rights on paper don’t automatically mean that all domestic workers are treated with the respect they deserve. That’s why domestic workers, along with our partner organizations, organized to win a law to ensure that employers are held accountable when they violate Philadelphia labor laws and that the City’s Office of Worker Protections. The POWER (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights) Act was unanimously passed by Philadelphia City Council in May 2025 and ensures that Philadelphia labor laws are respected – for 750,000 low wage workers in our city. You can learn more about the POWER Act here.
The law protects people who:
Learn more about the Philadelphia Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Domestic workers are required to receive a contract in English and their preferred language if they work five or more hours per month for the same employer. This is a legal agreement between you, whoever hires you and/or the household you work for. The contract must include details like:
You can find domestic worker contract templates and more information about creating a contract here.
After working 4 hours straight, you have the right to take a 10 minute uninterrupted break, which is included in your regular pay time. Uninterrupted means you can leave the house for 10 entire minutes by yourself.
If you cannot take 10 minutes off, you must be paid extra. For instance, if you work 5 hours without a break, you will be paid for 5 hours and 10 minutes.
After working 5 hours straight, you have the right to take a 30 minute uninterrupted break for a meal. This break is not paid, but if your 30 minute meal break is interrupted, it must be paid.
You must be given two weeks notice before you are terminated from your job.If you are asked to leave immediately, you must receive two weeks pay instead. If you live with your employer, they must give you four weeks notice before terminating your employment or pay you for those four weeks.
Before the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Philadelphia domestic workers were not legally protected from discrimination in the workplace. It is now illegal to discriminate against a domestic worker.
Discrimination is when your employer takes a negative action against your employment terms (e.g, withholds wages, reduces hours, fires you) because of your race, ethnicity, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information and status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence.
It is illegal for employers to film you or have cameras in private areas like a bedroom or bathroom. Many employers like to have cameras in common areas, and that is their right. But you have rights too. You have the right to keep possession of your personal identity documents.
If you live where you work, you have all of the rights listed on this page. You also have the right to:
It is illegal for employers to retaliate against you when you use your legal rights or file a complaint against them. This could include asking for a contract, taking a meal or rest break, speaking up against cameras that are illegal in a bedroom or bathroom, asking for your paycheck, or any other legally protected right.
Some examples of retaliation are: firing you, making threats around your perceived immigration status or the perceived immigration status of your family, reducing your work hours, threatening to call the police, or not paying you. Thanks to the POWER Act, passed after the Bill of Rights, Philadelphia’s Office of Worker Protections can take more actions now to protect you if you are a victim of retaliation.
In addition, keep an eye out if…
These could be signs of labor abuse!
Together, we can ensure that all domestic workers are treated with the respect we deserve!
If you’re a nanny, house cleaner or homecare worker in Philadelphia and you need help or have questions, text/call 267-597-1586 or fill out our contact form below.
Connect with other nannies, home care workers, and house cleaners in Philadelphia. Stay informed and get involved with our work to protect domestic worker rights.
May 08 2025
After three years of domestic worker-led organizing, Philly passes the POWER Act!
Learn More Aprende MásApr 29 2022
The Philadelphia Domestic Worker Bill of Rights guarantees several labor rights for the city’s 16,000 household employees. It is considered one of the strongest laws in the nation that protects domestic workers and makes Philadelphia the largest U.S. city to offer robust labor protections to household employees.
Learn More Aprende Más