The minimum wage in Portland, Maine for 2024 is ordinarily $15.00. Due to a unique provision in Portland’s minimum wage law, though, the minimum wage increases to $22.50 for in-person work performed during a declared state of emergency.

On January 11, 2024 at 12:15 p.m., Governor Mills declared a state of emergency due to a severe rain, wind, and snow storm. The state of emergency covers eight counties, including Cumberland County (where the city of Portland is located). This declaration triggered the hazard pay rate for in-person employees in Portland. 
The state of emergency is expected to end exactly one week after it started, i.e., at 12:15 p.m. on January 18th. Employers should act quickly to ensure that their employees working in-person within the Portland city limits receive the appropriate rate during this state of emergency.

Photo of W. Brian Holladay W. Brian Holladay

Brian represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law. As co-chair of the Firm’s National Compliance team, he frequently advises employers on compliance with national, state, and local legal requirements. Brian’s areas of expertise include guiding employers through the disciplinary and…

Brian represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law. As co-chair of the Firm’s National Compliance team, he frequently advises employers on compliance with national, state, and local legal requirements. Brian’s areas of expertise include guiding employers through the disciplinary and termination process, leave and other accommodation requests, pay equity and transparency laws, and fair workweek legislation. Brian drafts employee handbooks and other policies, employment agreements, and restrictive covenants (such as non-compete, non-solicit, and confidentiality agreements).

Brian also defends employers in courts and administrative agencies across the country. Clients rely on Brian for the defense of employment-related claims such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act. Likewise, Brian assists with high-stakes government audits and investigations, including matters before the EEOC, DOL Wage and Hour Division, OFCCP, and OSHA.

Brian has earned a reputation for his expertise in issues related to the use of staffing agencies, including contracting issues, managing co-employment risk, and defending claims filed by staffing agency employees. He also litigates business torts and contract disputes.

Brian grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He received his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Furman University, where he was captain of the Track and Field team.  Prior to joining the firm, Brian served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gerrilyn G. Brill of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Brian earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Duke University School of Law. He is now a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University School of Law. He teaches a course called A Practitioner’s Guide to Employment Law.

In his free time, Brian enjoys coaching his children’s youth sports teams.

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