How pay is agreed directly between worker and employer
On GapCrew the employer states the hourly pay in the job post and pays the worker directly, and wages never pass through GapCrew, which is free for employers and workers at launch.
Key points
- Pay per hour is a field in every job post, and it must be at least Washington's minimum wage for the job's dates.
- GapCrew does not receive, hold or pay out worker wages.
- Hours come from the check-in and check-out record, and corrections are agreed by both sides.
The rate is in the post
Every job states pay per hour before anyone responds. Pay must be at least Washington's minimum wage for the job's dates, and the app will not post a job with a lower rate. Some cities, such as Seattle and Renton, have a higher minimum wage, and the app warns the employer when the pay is below it. A worker who responds is accepting that rate for that job. A rate change after the fact is a new agreement between the two people and is worth keeping in writing, for example in the app's messages.
The employer pays the worker
GapCrew is not in the money path for wages. The employer and the worker agree how and when payment will happen, for example at the end of the day or by a set date. Settle this before the job: the method, the timing and what happens if hours run over. If it matters, put it in a message so there is a record.
Hours come from the record
Workers check in and check out in the app, creating an hours record with times and a total. A time recorded offline is marked as such. If a time is wrong, either person can suggest a correction and the other can confirm it. The original is never overwritten, and if the two disagree, a GapCrew administrator can settle it.
GapCrew is free at launch
GapCrew is free for employers and workers at launch, and it takes no card payments. Employers pay workers directly, and wages never pass through GapCrew.
Legal and tax duties
Paying for work comes with duties that depend on the arrangement: minimum wage, overtime, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, tax reporting and more. Whether those apply to a given job depends on whether the person is an employed worker or an independent contractor under the law, and Washington has its own tests. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), the Employment Security Department and a tax adviser. GapCrew does not give legal or tax advice and does not decide this for you.
Common questions
Does GapCrew pay workers?
Who sets the hourly rate?
Sources and further reading
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries
- Washington Employment Security Department
- Washington Department of Revenue
Related guides
- Marketplace, staffing agency or job board: what is the difference?
- How short-term construction labor works in Washington: a general overview
- What to put in a job post
- All guides
This guide describes how GapCrew works and points to official sources. It is not legal, tax or safety advice. Check with the relevant agency about your own situation.
Ready when the doors open
GapCrew is preparing to open around Puget Sound. Join the early list and we will email you when it opens in your area.