The Wildfire Crisis and TikTok’s Employee Policy: A Disconnect?
As wildfires wreak havoc across greater Los Angeles, over 45 square miles have been consumed, with more than 1,300 structures lost and nearly 180,000 people forced to evacuate. Amidst this chaos, TikTok’s Los Angeles employees find themselves navigating not just natural disasters but also the company’s work-from-home policies. Despite power outages leading to the closure of TikTok’s LA office, employees are instructed to either continue working from home or utilize their personal/sick days if unable to do so.
While the Palisades Fire looms near TikTok’s Culver City office, emitting smoke visible from office windows, the location hasn’t been placed under mandatory evacuation orders. However, many employees live in areas directly affected by fires, windstorms, and utility disruptions. Sources indicate that some employees face power and Wi-Fi outages and may even be under evacuation orders.
TikTok’s policy requires employees to use personal or sick leave during these conditions unless their team leader decides otherwise. The LA office is closed from January 8 to January 12 due to fires and power loss, transforming these days into work-from-home days rather than time off.
“The days the office is closed are being made Work From Home days as opposed to days off, however — unless an individual team leader decides otherwise.”
{TikTok Leadership}
- Mental Wellbeing Portal offering free mental health sessions via Lyra
- Links to TikTok’s “PSSL” policy (Paid Sick and Safe Leave)
- 10 PSSL days annually for employees hired before June
- 15 PTO days also available
TikTok encourages employees facing difficulties due to the fires to utilize resources such as mental health support while navigating their leave options. Those unable to work remotely due to outages or evacuations must use their personal or sick leave unless granted specific team leave.
The policy surrounding PSSL usage doesn’t explicitly cover natural disasters like wildfires. Instead, it covers health-related conditions or closures mandated by public officials for public health emergencies. Employees report significant issues such as poor air quality and prolonged power outages affecting millions.
“Some employees are worried about how bad their air quality is getting.”
{Internal Employee Reports}
Despite communications encouraging safety first, requiring staff to use personal time during such crises feels misaligned with employee wellbeing priorities. This sentiment is compounded by the stress of looming U.S. operational challenges faced by TikTok.
TikTok was approached for comment but did not respond before publication. For further details or queries, Sarah Perez can be reached at sarahp@techcrunch.com or on Signal @sarahperez.01.
