Support Resources for Fire-Affected Employees

dear employees with colleagues impacted by the los angeles fires, as the fires continue to spread, many of our colleagues are facing unimaginable challenges —some evacuating their homes, others juggling caregiving responsibilities, and some realizing they’ve lost everything. this is a time to show up for each other, not just as coworkers but as humans. last night, iris and i shared flashlights, a battery charger pack, cooler, milk, ice from our freezer, and cold beverages with neighbors who have been without electricity for three days. i also checked in with a former colleague who lost everything. through texts, we worked together to think through next steps and living arrangements. sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures—offering support, listening, or simply being there—that make the biggest difference. here are 10 ways you can support your colleagues during this time: 1️⃣ share pto. donate unused pto to colleagues who need time for personal emergencies. 2️⃣ support relief efforts. organize or contribute to campaigns for displaced colleagues. 3️⃣ check in. ask how they’re doing and listen without judgment. 4️⃣ offer help. provide housing, transportation, groceries, or childcare. 5️⃣ adjust expectations. be patient and flexible with deadlines and workloads. offer to cover their clients. 6️⃣ promote mental health. share eap resources and encourage seeking support. 7️⃣ create community. foster safe spaces for colleagues to share and connect. 8️⃣ express gratitude. thank colleagues who can provide support for those impacted for their efforts and offer continued encouragement. 9️⃣ amplify their needs. raise awareness and connect them to resources or support networks. 🔟 organize team support. coordinate care packages, meals, or other team-driven relief efforts. kindness and deep empathy go a long way, especially in times of crisis. if you have ideas or tips for helping colleagues navigate these challenges, please share them. together, we can make a difference. #empathy #teamwork #losangelesfires

Navigating Mental Health After a Natural Disaster: Supporting Your Employees 📺 We watch the news unfold in the US about wildfires in LA on the heels of a prolonged hurricane season in 2024. As a physician, workplace wellness expert, and Chief Wellness Officer- I have seen firsthand how news can disrupt organizations not only in the region but globally. Employees may be in the danger zone, or we may have friends, colleagues, or loved ones in the affected region. ⚠️ Natural disasters can have a devastating impact, not only on physical infrastructure but also on the mental well-being of those affected. 💠 As a leader and organization, prioritizing your employees' mental health during and after such events is crucial. Here are a few key considerations: 1️⃣ Encourage Gracious Receiving: Many employees may be experiencing a range of emotions – from fear and anxiety to grief and anger. - Encourage them to accept help and support. - Offer flexible work arrangements, access to mental health resources (like employee assistance programs or teletherapy), and - Opportunities for open communication and support from colleagues. 2️⃣ Address Survivor's Guilt: Some employees may grapple with survivor's guilt, feeling guilty that they survived while others did not. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-blame. - Create a safe space for employees to share their feelings and address these concerns. - Normalize these emotions and emphasize that surviving a traumatic event is not something to feel guilty about. 3️⃣ Deal with the Distraction of Trauma: The trauma of a natural disaster can significantly impact an employee's ability to focus and concentrate. 4️⃣ Common symptoms of trauma can include: - Intrusive thoughts and memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, and recurrent distressing images of the event. - Avoidance: Efforts to avoid reminders of the trauma, such as news reports, certain places, or people. - Negative changes in mood and thinking: Feelings of detachment, numbness, guilt, shame, or difficulty experiencing positive emotions. - Increased arousal and reactivity: Difficulty sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle responses. ♻️ share this post with colleagues who can help their employees cope, and reach out to me, Dr. Romie for more questions on supporting mental health for your team and organization. #MentalHealth #PrayForLA #NaturalDisasters #EmployeeHealth #WorkplaceWellness #ChiefWellnessOfficer 

When the Palisades fire erupted near my home in Los Angeles, it brought devastation that felt deeply personal. Like many around me, I’ve seen friends lose homes, cherished keepsakes, pets, livelihoods—and their children’s sense of safety. Even for those of us fortunate to be outside of the inferno's relentless path, the grief for what has been lost is shared. Disasters like these aren’t just stories of loss—they reveal the ripple effects on communities and organizations. They’re a call to action for leaders to step up with empathy and support. Here’s how leaders and businesses can help their teams navigate the unexpected: 1️⃣ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 Give employees space to handle crises—whether through flexible hours, remote work, or paid leave. 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 Connect your team with mental health services, disaster relief organizations, housing assistance, and other resources. Leaders don’t need all the answers, but facilitating help can be life-changing. 3️⃣ 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Create safe spaces for employees to share and process their emotions, whether in group check-ins or one-on-ones. Sometimes, being heard is the first step toward healing. 4️⃣ 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 Engage your team in relief efforts. Here are a few examples in addition to the 𝐋𝐀𝐅𝐃 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬. 🔹 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 who’ve lost classrooms and school supplies. 🔹 Partner with organizations like 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 to provide meals for firefighters and evacuees. 🔹 Support 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐄 (Community Organized Relief Effort) to aid underserved communities. 5️⃣ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 Disasters are inevitable, but preparation makes a difference. Build a crisis plan that prioritizes employee well-being, clear communication, and community response. Leading through crises isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with empathy. People will remember how you supported them when it mattered most. Los Angeles, like so many communities facing fires, floods, and storms, will rebuild. Thoughtful leadership can help workplaces play a vital role in that resilience. #ILoveLA #LeadershipInCrisis #EmpathyInAction #StrongerTogether #EmployeeWellBeing #januscoaching 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘵 - 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 - 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬

Here’s how to support your Los Angeles-area team members during our ongoing fires: -Quota relief for salespeople. I suggested this to an upscale retail HR leader yesterday who asked me for tips. She hadn’t thought of it. Time off is illusory without quota relief. -PTO for folks most directly affected. You can use the free “Watch Duty” app to understand which areas are under evacuation warnings, orders, or otherwise near any of our fires. -If you have an EAP, remind them how they might utilize it. -Help finding temporary housing if they’ve been displaced. -Be patient with remote workers whose kids are stuck at home. Many districts cancelled classes today. -Stipends for co-working spaces or cafe visits for remote workers without power or Internet. (🙋♀️) This isn’t an exhaustive list. Just a few ideas. Add yours — you never know who’s reading.