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DCWP Announces Settlement With BuzzFeed Over Late Payments to Freelancers
June 5, 2025
Sixteen freelance workers who filed complaints with DCWP will receive more than $45,000 in restitution
Additional workers who file claims showing BuzzFeed did not pay them on time are also eligible to receive restitution
NEW YORK, NY – New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced a settlement agreement with BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc. over a practice of violating freelance workers’ right to timely payment under the Freelance Isn’t Free Act. The agreement secures more than $45,000 in relief for 16 freelance workers who filed complaints with DCWP. BuzzFeed must also pay restitution to any other freelance workers who file a claim showing they were not paid on time for services performed.
“It’s simple: Everyone deserves to be paid on time for their work, and our administration will always hold companies that break these crucial laws accountable,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Today, we deliver justice for these freelance workers who were wronged, and we stand up, once again, for our workers’ most critical rights. To any New Yorker who hasn’t been paid on time for their hard work, your mayor has your back.”
“All workers deserve to be paid in full and on time for their labor,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “BuzzFeed displayed a pattern of disrespect to the freelance workers who performed crucial services for them, and we do not hesitate to hold companies who violate their workers’ rights accountable. We urge any freelancer who performed work for BuzzFeed and did not receive timely payment to reach out to us immediately.”
Freelancers who performed work for BuzzFeed and were not paid on time between May 8, 2019 and August 15, 2024 should file a claim promptly to participate in this settlement. The 16 freelancers named in the agreement do not need to file a claim. New Yorkers can visit DCWP’s worker rights page or call 311 and say “freelancer” for more information about how to file a claim. Any worker who believes their worker rights were violated should reach out to file a complaint by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/workers.
New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the first law of its kind in the country, gives freelance workers the right to a written contract, timely payment, and freedom from retaliation. The Law established a court navigation program as one avenue to assist freelancers in getting paid and accessing resources. It also authorizes the City to file cases against any person or business that shows a pattern or practice of violating the Law. Under the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, freelance workers must receive payment for their services on or before the date listed in the contract. If the contract does not include a payment date, the hiring party must pay the freelancer within 30 days of the work being completed.
Since the Freelance Isn’t Free Act went into effect in 2017, DCWP has received nearly 4,300 complaints about potential violations, closed more than 3,500 cases, and helped freelancers recover over $3,470,000.
“It’s as straightforward as can be: freelance workers—like all workers—deserve nothing less than full protection under the law,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “That’s exactly why I passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act at the State-level, and I’m glad to see the City law is being used to ensure freelancers receive the pay they’ve earned, fair and square. The message to employers is clear: when you hire a freelancer, paying them on time is not a choice—it’s the law. Thank you to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for their crucial work on this case.”
“By holding BuzzFeed accountable for late payments and providing restitution to affected freelancers, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga send a strong message that violations of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act will not be tolerated,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “This agreement not only delivers justice for current claimants but also empowers more freelancers to come forward. Together, these actions help ensure that New York City remains a place where the rights of all workers are respected and upheld.”
“This settlement marks a step forward in the fight for a fairer freelance economy,” said Rafael Espinal, president of Freelancers Union. “BuzzFeed, a trusted and influential media company, should have led by example—not fallen short on basic obligations to the workers powering its content. When freelancers are paid late, it’s not just a delay, it’s a denial of dignity and economic stability. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act is proof that when we organize, we can win real protections. Thank you DCWP and Commissioner Mayuga for your amazing work protecting freelancers.”
“This outcome affirms what so many freelance editorial professionals already know: that their work is essential, and their rights matter,” said Autumn A. Arnett, executive director of the Editorial Freelancers Association. “The Editorial Freelancers Association commends the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for taking clear, corrective action to hold hiring parties accountable. Advocacy like this helps create the kind of professional landscape the EFA is committed to building—one where freelancers are respected for their expertise, welcomed in inclusive communities, and supported in growing thriving, sustainable businesses. This settlement is a meaningful victory not just for the freelancers directly impacted, but for every editorial freelancer, who all deserve to be treated with professionalism and respect—and to receive fair and timely compensation for their work.”
The Workers’ Bill of Rights — a multilingual and comprehensive guide to rights in the workplace in New York City — summarizes the laws that protect workers, including freelancers, and job applicants in New York City, regardless of immigration status. The Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information on rights enforced by DCWP, like Paid Safe and Sick Leave, the Fair Workweek Law, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the City’s Delivery Worker Laws, as well as rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, like minimum wage and the right to organize. It also includes information about who to contact for more information or with questions, as well as how to file a complaint. Workers and employers can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside New York City) for more information about the laws that DCWP enforces or to file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously. It is illegal to retaliate against workers for filing complaints.
DCWP’s case was handled by Supervising Court Navigator, Lisa Billups, Court Navigator Courtney Golden-Murphy, Director of Litigation Emily Hoffman and Senior Staff Counsel Emily Whalen of DCWP’s Office of Labor Policy & Standards, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Wagoner.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)—protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Michael Lanza / Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov