Good morning!
As wildfires continue to plague Los Angeles County after days of blazes that have devastated entire neighborhoods, many employers are rushing to figure out how best to aid employees and their communities.
The fires, which have killed more than 20 people so far, and burned an area the size of San Francisco, may result in damages in excess of $150 billion. More than 180,000 people have been told to evacuate and the event has left many temporarily displaced, without a home, and facing potential financial ruin—especially because large insurers recently dropped coverage in the area.
Employers are required to generally protect workers during a natural disaster under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which can include communicating helpful info and having a plan in place for employees and managers to follow. That said, there’s no rulebook that lays out how companies are supposed to help their employees recover from such a devastating incident.
We reached out to Coins2Day 500 companies based in Los Angeles County or with a significant number of regional employees to learn more about how they’re showing up for their workers. Here’s what they said.
Cisco
“Our hearts are heavy and go out to all impacted by the Southern California wildfires. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees and providing them with resources they might need. We continue to reach out to employees in the affected areas to offer our support and assistance including critical time off, mental health support, and sourcing temporary housing. Internally, Cisco has launched an employee giving campaign to provide relief and resources to those in need. Cisco is also prepared to assist as needed with emergency communications and connectivity via Cisco Crisis Response.”
Amgen
“We are deeply saddened by the wildfires in Southern California, a place we have called home for more than 40 years. Our headquarters in Thousand Oaks is currently open, conditions permitting. We are in the process of confirming the safety of all impacted staff and mobilizing resources. The Amgen Foundation is working with nonprofit partners to support urgent relief and recovery efforts in our community. We do not anticipate any impact to our ability to serve our patients.”
The company has also pledged to give $10 million to people affected to the wildfires, and will match employee donations towards disaster relief.
Salesforce
Although the software company is based in San Francisco, it has a significant number of employees in the Los Angeles area. The company will provide 24/7 immediate assistance for all employees facing physical security, health, or safety issues. Salesforce plans to make a $1 million donation to support disaster relief efforts, and matches donations made by employees up to $5,000, the company says. Employees that face challenges can also apply to the company’s Hardship Relief Fund which provides tax-exempt grants to those facing financial difficulty.
Snap
While social media giant Snap is keeping their office in Santa Monica open, it’s encouraging team members to work remotely as of late. The company is in touch with those who live in evacuation zones and are looking to provide them with ongoing support including assistance with travel and accommodation. “Thankfully our team is safe and accounted for at this time and we’ll remain ready to help the Los Angeles community in any way we can,” a spokesperson from the company says.
Matte l
“The entire Mattel, Inc. Organization grieves with the greater L.A. Community and those who have been impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Mattel Children’s Foundation is supporting relief efforts led by many of our longstanding nonprofit partners including the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, The Salvation Army, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Good+Foundation, and Baby2Baby. We are grateful to the heroic firefighters and first responders, as well as community leaders and volunteers, including many Mattel team members who have donated their time and opened their homes to their neighbors and colleagues in need. Our thoughts are with all who are suffering during this unprecedented crisis in our headquarter city. Our support will continue.”
The Honest Company
“At The Honest Company, we are a community that shows up for each other. As the wildfires continue to affect Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the safety and well-being of our employees and our community is our top priority. We are in constant communication with our team members to ensure they are safe and supported during this time and we have an employee assistance program for mental health support. Our office is not currently in an evacuation zone and remains open as a safe place for employees that need one. We are also working closely with our primary charitable partner, Baby2Baby, to find ways to best support their relief efforts, including donating diapers and personal care items to support those who have been impacted. Baby2Baby has already provided over one million emergency supplies for the most vulnerable children and families who have lost everything.”
Paramount
Paramount has kept its offices and studio lot open but encouraged employees to work from home or a safe place. Its security operations team is checking in on staffers, while the company has launched a cash grant program that allows employees to tap an employee assistance fund. Workers who feel moved to chip in can donate to the fund and will see their donations matched by the company. The entertainment giant is also assisting employees with lodging and temporary housing needs. While workers can reach out through an employee assistance program for emotional support, the company has also shared a Nickelodeon-created guide for talking to children about the fires. Separately, Paramount is donating $1 million to aid and relief organizations, including World Central Kitchen, and the Best Friends Animal Society, as well as the Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. “Our hearts are breaking for everyone impacted in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including Paramount employees and our friends, partners, and peers in the industry,” the company said in an Instagram post.
After a pause, Paramount Global’s CBS Studios restarted production of its four series filmed in Los Angeles yesterday. Caterers for the shows—namely NCIS, NCIS: Origin s, Poppa’s House, and The Neighborhood—prepared boxed meals for first responders, while clothing from the series was gathered for donations.
Also, quick note: Has an employee spoken negatively about your company on social media? We’d love to hear about it and know how your company handled it for a future newsletter. Hit “Reply” or send me a message at [email protected].
Brit Morse
[email protected]
Around the Table
A round-up of the most important HR headlines.
As wildfires raged across L.A. County, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate, employers have had to manage a difficult balancing act between work and well being, with some shutting down, and others unmoved by worker concerns. Los Angeles Times
According to a new analysis of job postings, one in five advertised listings have been found to be fake or not filled, leaving many candidates feeling stranded as they search for new roles. Wall Street Journal
After a conservative group called the company’s DEI policies risky, Apple’s board asked investors to vote against a proposal change saying it has “appropriate checks and balances in place.” BBC
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