LA Fires Highlight Need for Employer Support During Disasters

The recent wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area have killed at least 29 people, displaced tens of thousands of residents, burned down almost 17,000 homes and other buildings, and caused anguish and distress for millions. They also highlight the importance of help that employers could and should offer to employees during times of natural disasters and other crises.

“Employer support for employees impacted by wildfires and other natural disasters is critical,” said Dr. Joel Axler, a psychiatrist and national behavioral health leader for Brown & Brown Insurance in Daytona Beach, Fla. “Offering support not only helps employees as they recover and rebuild, but it fosters loyalty and trust within the organization.”

Whether by providing flexible work arrangements, financial support, or mental health benefits, employers play a key role in alleviating the astounding losses employees and their families can experience in a natural disaster, he said.

Nicholette Leanza, a therapist at LifeStance Health in North Royalton, Ohio, agreed, saying that employer support is vital because “it shows employees that the company cares about them not just as workers, but as people, too.”

“Showing support to the employees indirectly impacted also validates their feelings of anxiety and uncertainty during difficult times,” she said. “The compassion a company shows their employees can make all the difference between a revolving door and a loyal team.”

Ensure Safety and Keep People Informed

Ensuring physical safety is the first and most immediate step employers can take to prioritize the well-being of their employees, Axler said. That includes communicating emergency plans and verifying employee safety during and after the natural disaster.

“Open and transparent communication helps keep employees in the know about the disaster, company updates, and recovery plans,” he said, adding that setting up hotlines, group chats, and email addresses for employees to seek help or report concerns is another way to support workers. “It’s important for leaders to communicate with empathy and demonstrate understanding.”

Adjusting leave policies or granting additional or emergency paid time off to accommodate recovery efforts is another obvious step. Offering financial assistance, providing shelter and supplies, and helping with transportation are also important components of employer support.

Employers also need to consider long-term recovery, Axler said. This involves reassessing workloads, offering resources for managing trauma and building resilience, and creating a disaster recovery team.

Mental Health Support Is Crucial

In particular, mental health support plays a vital role after natural disasters that can rock a community, experts said.

“Disasters like these can have a huge impact on people’s mental health,” Leanza said. “Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and sadness is a completely appropriate response, especially if they have lost loved ones, their homes, or their belongings.”

Roughly one-third of people affected by a natural disaster may experience a negative mental health consequence such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression, according to a University of Alberta study.

“The fires definitely do call to mind the need for mental health benefits,” said Julie Stich, vice president of content at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, a nonprofit organization based in Brookfield, Wis., with 31,000 employer members. “It serves as a reminder for employers to tell workers about their EAPs [employee assistance programs] or other offerings. Whether it’s changes in the administration, the latest shooting, or a natural disaster, people are always going through something, and there’s a continuing need for mental health benefits.”

Partnering with virtual telehealth services, promoting online support groups, and providing access to mental health apps are other ways employees can receive mental health resources no matter where they are located, Axler added.

Additionally, efforts to help employees’ mental health in light of a disaster should be ongoing. “It’s essential that employers provide ongoing support, counseling, and access to mental health resources to help affected employees through any mental health struggles following a natural disaster,” he said.

Everyone Can Be Affected

Mental health support is obviously vital for those directly impacted by an event such as the L.A. fires, but it’s important to keep in mind that many people are also indirectly affected.

“Certainly for those who are directly impacted, they’ve lost their home, for example, but for others who either have a friend or family member or co-worker impacted—or even if they don’t, it can be traumatic,” Stich said. “I'm fortunate because I’m not impacted directly [by the fires], but it’s something I’m watching on the news every day.”