Hazard Pay

What is Hazard Pay?

 

Hazard pay, danger pay, or hardship pay is additional compensation given to you for performing duties under circumstances that would not have it any other way. It is a bonus of sorts intended to reward employees for taking on added risk as part of their work/tasks.

 

Workers are normally granted hazard pay when they operate under or in situations and/or settings that present a significant danger to their health, safety, or welfare. These may include firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel serving in war zones, health care professionals working in high-risk environments, construction workers at sites with high risks of injury or illness, and employees who work with dangerous substances or in extreme environmental conditions.

 

How Much is Hazard Pay?

 

How much hazard pay is provided can depend on a wide range of factors, such as the type of job, industry, and location, or what is already outlined in an agreement between the employer, employee, or the government. The rate for hazard pay is not standardized and varies significantly from one employer to another, or is determined through collective bargaining agreements.

 

Hazard pay may be a flat amount added to an employee’s regular wages or a percentage of their income.

 

Who Qualifies for Hazard Pay?

 

A few examples of occupations or situations in which hazard pay might apply include the following:

 

• First responders
• Healthcare workers
• Military personnel
• Hazardous materials handlers
• Construction workers
• Utilities and infrastructure workers
• Transportation workers
• Mining and offshore workers

 

How to Apply for Hazard Pay?

 

For hazard pay applications, you will need to speak with your employer; there is no real process, as all employers and industries are different.

 

Some general steps to follow:

 

• Review company policies
• Determine eligibility
• Consult with HR or management
• Complete the necessary documentation
• Follow application procedures
• Keep records
• Follow up

 

Also, See: Bonus Pay | Holiday Pay | Vacation Pay | Regular Pay | Gross Pay | Net Pay | Overtime Pay | Base Pay | Incentive Pay