As of Jan. 13, the wildfires in Southern California continued to rage, an extremely dangerous emergency killing at least 24 people and costing some employees all they own, while putting others in harm’s way. As the White House, the state of California, and the City of Los Angeles took steps to respond, employers stepped up as well, instituting respiratory protections in the workplace, providing leave to employees in evacuation zones, and supporting employees acting as relief workers.
Read the full article
LA Wildfires Have Cost Some Workers Everything, Endanger Others
SHRM | Jan 2025
Paying California Workers During a Natural Disaster
Toolkit: Managing Through Emergency and Disaster
Policy: Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Related Express Request: Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response for Businesses
SHRM
CAL/OSHA and DIR Resources
Wildfire Smoke Alert: Cal/OSHA urges employers to protect workers from unhealthy air in Los Angeles County
Cal/OSHA | Jan 2025
Worker Protection from Wildfire Smoke
Protecting Outdoor Workers Exposed to Smoke from Wildfires
DIR
State/Local Government Resources
2025 Los Angeles Fires
CA.gov
Wildfire Assistance
LAEDC
LA County Emergency Notifications
Ready LA County
Disaster Readiness
Listos California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
CAL Fire
State Recovery Resources (see: Wildfire Survivors)
Cal OES
Leave and Pay
SoCal Wildfires: Guidance For Employers Supporting Their Workforce Through Difficult Times (see: Leave Entitlement, Sick Leave and Paid Time Off)
CDF Labor Law | Jan 2025
Wildfires in Los Angeles: Key Considerations for Employers Navigating Disaster Response and Compliance (see: California Wage and Hour Requirements)
Ogletree | Jan 2025
Articles
Employer FAQs for the California Wildfires: Your Role in Protecting Workers’ Health, Safety, and Workplace Rights
Fisher Phillips | Jan 2025
How to help employees impacted by the LA fires
EBN | Jan 2025
As Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles, Employers Must Comply with Cal/OSHA’s Wildfire Smoke Rules
Seyfarth | Jan 2025
Employers’ Wage and Hour FAQs: California Wildfires Edition
Proskauer | Jan 2025
SHRM Ask An Advisor
Get expert help on a wide range of HR topics. Access experienced, certified HR Knowledge Advisors by phone, chat & email
Connect with An Advisor now: https://www.shrm.org/hrhelp
SHRM Members' Survey
Tell us what you think about the Express Request self-service feature in a few quick questions.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.