Some Fargo-Moorhead area businesses paying workers to aid in flood fight

Many Fargo-area businesses are paying their employees to work for the city.

Businesses are urging employees to volunteer in the flood fight and many plan to pay them to do it.

Microsoft and Noridian Administrative Services/Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota give employees 16 hours of paid time off to volunteer.

Microsoft also matches volunteer hours by donating $17 an hour to a nonprofit organization.

State Bank & Trust is coordinating with managers to be able to serve customers while also having as many people help with the flood fight as possible. Volunteers are paid normal working hours.

“We’re very fortunate that we have a large enough staff that we can still service our customers and yet allow a good portion of our team to help the cause,” said Michael Solberg, president and chief operating officer of State Bank & Trust.

Bobcat is giving employees paid time off to volunteer and is donating the use of 20 machines around the community, said Laura Ness Owens, Bobcat spokeswoman.

“We’re certainly aware of the effect massive flooding would have on our community, so while we need to continue to operate our business, we are offering flexibility to our employees so they can help out as needed,” she said.

Last year, more than 100 employees with Ygomi companies volunteered 600 hours in the flood fight. The company paid employees to volunteer and plans to do something similar this year, said Danny Miles, human resources director for Ygomi, Oak Brook, Ill.-based parent company to SEI, a global provider of call center services in Fargo.

While individual stores will decide on their own, West Acres mall management will work with limited staff to let employees volunteer and will pay them for regular scheduled time, said general manager Rusty Papachek.

“These next few days are crucial,” Papachek said. “We need as many bodies out there as possible.”

Fargo software company Intelligent InSites is giving employees paid time off to fight the flood if their home or neighborhood is in danger. The company is also letting employees work from home to monitor flooding.

If Fargo asks businesses to close or calls for “all hands on deck” to fight the flood, Intelligent InSites will give employees time to help, said Mark Rheault, president and CEO.

Companies that don’t pay employees to volunteer are still encouraging workers to help out.

Flint Communications employees pledge volunteer time every year. Helping with the flood fight is a way to be part of that goal, said RaeAnn McLean of Flint.

“We all remember this so well from last year that we are back sandbagging again in full force,” McLean said.

Tags: daily updates, fargo-moorhead, fargo, flood