June 21, 2023

 Employer Support for Worker Health and Safety during Wildfire Season can Make a Positive Difference to Struggling Workers

🔥 Employees can suffer from physical and psychological struggles when experiencing wildfires. Whether there is a wildfire in the area right now or one is approaching, there are practical ways employers can support workers through these difficult times:

✅ Check-In – each employee will react differently to the changing conditions. Establish open communication channels by regularly checking in with them to see how they’re doing and encourage them to come to you with any worries. 

📞 Communicate – before, during, and after. Workers must know you care about their physical and psychological well-being throughout the evolving situation. When needed, connect them with additional information and resources such as employee family assistance programs, mental health resources, area evacuation instructions, and potentially even physical places to go. 

💪 Be Flexible – come together and support one another while maintaining flexible expectations. While some employees may need time to deal with personal situations, others may desire to be involved in the revival of the business operation.

💡 Move Forward - after a wildfire moves through an area, everyone's attention will turn to regaining a sense of normalcy. Ensure employees know the impacts on the business and what to expect in the short and long term. Workers may want to know the following: 

• when they can expect to get back to work,
• what their schedule and duties will be, and
• what to do if they need additional time to sort out personal challenges.

To help employers navigate these challenging times, go2HR has curated a list of useful resources relating to wildfire preparation, the hazards of smoke exposure and mental health supports:

• Wildfire Preparedness Guide (PreparedBC) (includes a ‘Grab-and-go Bag’ list)
• Working in Wildfire Smoke – FAQs (WorkSafeBC)
• Coping with Natural Disaster Stress (CMHA-BC)

Have more questions about emergency preparedness and planning? Click the link below to contact our Health & Safety Team for further assistance.

go2HR is the designated Health & Safety Association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry. Our role is to drive strong workforces and safe workplaces that deliver world-class tourism and hospitality experiences in British Columbia. 

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Serving British Columbia’s tourism and hospitality industry with programs and services in human resources, health and safety, and industry training that support growth and success since 1979.

www.go2HR.ca