ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta has now extended its hazard pay for frontline workers to go through June.
A new executive order, issued by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, calls for the city’s public safety, sanitation and other workers to receive $500 a month in hazard pay.
Employees will also receive compensatory days.
Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. Senate Democrats have proposed up to $25,000 in hazard pay for employees deemed to be essential. That includes doctors, nurses and even grocery store clerks.
“What the democrats are talking about is a sweeping provision that would include a lot of employees,” said Chandra Davis, with The Employment Law Solution, McFadden Davis, lawfirm.
“Hazard pay is additional pay that’s given to an employee because they have a dangerous job. A job that puts them in some sort of harm’s way," explained Davis.
While normally reserved for specialized jobs, now there’s a push for all frontline workers to receive the bonus pay.
Davis says while there is no legal requirement for hazard pay, if you feel you deserve it, she encourages you to reach out to government officials.
“You can appeal to the government, talk to your congressperson. Or, if you’re a union employee, you could talk to your union,” Davis said.