D.C. Janitors Awarded $279K in Settlement Over Wage Theft

Jan-Pro Franchising International and Jan-Pro of Washington forced to overhaul franchise practices and pay restitution.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A high-contrast studio photograph featuring a stack of dollar bills, a pen, and a pair of work gloves arranged on a clean white background, symbolizing the financial impact of the wage theft settlement and the ongoing struggle for worker protections.A settlement securing restitution for underpaid janitors highlights the ongoing fight against worker misclassification.Washington Today

D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has secured a $279,000 settlement with Jan-Pro Franchising International and Jan-Pro of Washington to resolve claims that the companies misclassified janitors as independent contractors and shorted their pay. The agreement will provide restitution to dozens of janitors and require the local Jan-Pro operator to reform its franchise practices to give workers more control over schedules, contracts, and equipment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of worker misclassification, where companies label employees as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits and protections. The settlement aims to curb these exploitative practices in the janitorial industry and set a precedent for greater worker rights.

The details

The Office of the Attorney General alleged that Jan-Pro ran a multilayer franchising setup that sold workers on entrepreneurial freedom but then buried them in startup and recurring fees, frequent inspections, and tight noncompete clauses. This effectively controlled workers like employees while still treating them as independent contractors, violating the District's Wage Payment and Collection Law and Sick and Safe Leave Act.

  • The Office of the Attorney General first took Jan-Pro Franchising International and Nabicorp, doing business as Jan-Pro of Washington, to court in 2022.
  • The $279,000 settlement was reached in April 2026.

The players

Brian L. Schwalb

The Attorney General of the District of Columbia who secured the settlement with Jan-Pro.

Jan-Pro Franchising International

A janitorial services franchise company accused of misclassifying workers as independent contractors.

Jan-Pro of Washington

The local Jan-Pro operator in Washington, D.C. that was part of the settlement.

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What they’re saying

“Jan-Pro of Washington promised workers the opportunity to start their own businesses, when in reality, it treated them as strictly-controlled employees without any of the benefits or protections of employment.”

— Brian L. Schwalb, Attorney General of the District of Columbia

What’s next

The Office of the Attorney General will monitor compliance with the settlement terms and pursue additional enforcement if companies continue to misclassify workers.

The takeaway

This settlement highlights the ongoing issue of worker misclassification and the need for stronger protections and oversight to ensure janitorial and other low-wage workers are treated fairly. The reforms required of Jan-Pro could set an important precedent for the industry.