What happens to provisions in the City Publications franchise agreement that conflict with Washington's laws regarding soliciting or hiring employees?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
RCW 49.62.060 prohibits a franchisor from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from (i) soliciting or hiring any employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor or (ii) soliciting or hiring any employee of the franchisor.
As a result, any such provisions contained in the franchise agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law addresses the solicitation and hiring of employees. Specifically, RCW 49.62.060 prohibits City Publications from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another City Publications franchisee or any employee of City Publications itself.
Therefore, any provisions within the City Publications franchise agreement that contradict these stipulations are considered void and unenforceable in Washington state. This means that City Publications franchisees operating in Washington are not bound by any franchise agreement clauses that would otherwise prevent them from hiring or soliciting employees from other franchisees or from City Publications corporate.
This protection ensures that City Publications franchisees in Washington have the freedom to recruit talent within the City Publications network, fostering competition and potentially improving staffing levels. However, franchisees should be aware of and comply with all other applicable labor laws and ethical considerations when soliciting or hiring employees.