PORTLAND, Maine — The City of Portland announced Thursday that hazard pay will be in effect for the duration of the State of Civil Emergency that Gov. Janet Mills declared.
Mills declared the State of Civil Emergency verbally at 12:15 p.m. Thursday in response to flooding and infrastructure damage coastal communities sustained following a storm Tuesday night into Wednesday. The declaration also supports communities as they brace for another powerful storm slated to bring more flooding and damage to Maine's coastline this weekend.
"The Governor’s intent is for the State of the Civil Emergency to last for one week, however the Governor will continue to evaluate the necessity of it on a day-to-day basis," City of Portland spokesperson Jessica Grondin said in a news release.
According to Grondin, the governor's State of Civil Emergency was declared under 37-B M.R.S. § Sec 742, meaning the city’s hazard pay provision in the minimum wage ordinance is now in effect.
"Section 33.7(g) of the City Code states that minimum wage, (which is currently $15/hour) will be 1.5 times that rate ($22.50/hour) during states of emergency," the release stated. "The emergency minimum wage for tipped workers is $11.25/hour (plus tips)."
Grondin added the emergency rate does not apply to employees who are working remotely under a telework arrangement.
"The City of Portland is not able to provide legal guidance regarding payment of employees, and any businesses with questions should consult their own attorney," the release added.
For more information about the city's Minimum Wage ordinance, click here.
For more on the State of Civil Emergency, click here.