D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in an email that she has authorized $14 a day per diem for all government employees who are required to physically come into work to fulfill their duties during the coronavirus crisis, the D.C. Police Union confirmed Tuesday.
“Employees who report ‘Regular Pay’ on their timesheet will receive an additional $14 in their paycheck for days they physically report to work, up to $140 per pay period,” according to the D.C. Police Union’s statement on Facebook.
It was noted that the decision includes the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) staff.
The order is effective immediately, which means workers will get retroactive payment from March 16, with the first payout starting the week of April 20.
In addition, a “Time Off Award” of 40 hours of leave will be granted to all employees who must physically report to work during the duration of the health emergency. The off time can be used after the emergency ends.
“On April 1, we heard the member’s calls to look into hazard pay and the Union immediately went to work trying to advance this request,” the D.C. Police Union said in its statement, thanking the Executive Committee of the Union, Mayor Bowser, Charles Allen’s office, and Chief Newsham for supporting the measure.