This is what a good corporate citizen looks like.

[MindPilot]

Today I am very proud of my employer. Their North American Headquarters is in one of the mandatory evacuation areas and the facility was closed all last week. They have reopened and set up an on-site resource center for employees. Oh, and everyone will be paid for the week the facility was closed.



Employee Support Center On-site: the company has developed a comprehensive support plan to address the many needs of employees who have impacted by the fires. The company is setting up an on-site support center at the RB facility 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29 through Wednesday Oct. 31, building 7 dining center to address employees’ needs and those who want to help. All Southern California employees are welcomed. For those employees unable to attend, they should contact their human resource business partner who will help they address concerns and connect with the resources they need.

Employees are encouraged to reconnect with colleagues and take advantage of the many on-site services available including:

Legal assistance – The law department has set up legal assistance with company lawyers to respond to inquiries regarding real estate, credit and collection issues, insurance claims, FEMA applications, applications for government loans or aid, non-employment-related support for family members. Employees can also call [phone] and leave a voicemail. Calls will be returned within 24 hours Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2. Calls will be reviewed and the appropriate attorney assigned. The assigned attorney will contact the employee and assist that individual with general advice on the matter or try and point them in the right direction. An assessment will be made at the end of the week as to whether there is a need to maintain the Hot Line beyond Friday, Nov. 2.

Financial support- short term loans available – For the benefit of our employees who were adversely affected from the wildfires in Southern California, the company has set up a program wherein an employee can receive financial support in the form of a short-term, non-interest bearing loan.

• The loan is to help those in need to get their lives and family back in order.
• The loan can be up to $2,500 but only in increments of $500 such as $500, $1,000, $1,500, etc…
• All loans must be repaid by payroll deductions over six months – 13 pay periods
• All loans are interest-free for the entire repayment period
• Loan repayments don’t start until January 2008 to help employees get through the holiday season

Short-term food and housing program – For the benefit of employees who were impacted from the wildfires in Southern California, the company has set up a program wherein they can receive additional financial support in the form of short-term housing and food coverage for what is not reimbursed by their insurance company. My employer has committed to covering the difference between what their insurance company reimburses them for temporary housing and food and the total cost of these items while they are/were displaced due to the wildfires. Visit the event to sign up.

Temporary housing and transportation assistance – Company Travel will be on-hand to help employees find temporary housing and transportation service including employee discounts with my employer’s partners including Daimler Chrysler, Ford Motors, General Motors and Nissan/Infiniti.

Payroll – The payroll department will be on hand to answer any questions employees might have about their pay checks including exempt, non-exempt and temporary employees’ situations.

Tax relief – The Franchise Tax Board announced several relief measures for those impacted by the wildfires in seven Southern California counties. Stop by the event for more information.

Local community disaster recovery resources

Employee assistance program: A wide range of personal support services based on needs such as counseling, child and elder care assistance and legal services.

Volunteer opportunities on how to “Adopt a Family”

Insurance information for home, auto, medical, dental and vision – Information such as how to work with your insurance company after an emergency.

Realtor assistance

Work and life support information and resources –

Health and safety consultation – Information available such as how to clean up after a fire

On-site human resources assistance

Data recovery – The company media resources group will answer employees’ questions about data recovery on devices damaged by the fire and help determine if they can restore the product. Employees who have media products that are damaged can also call [phone] and identify themselves as an employee from California.

Refreshments and snacks

Even if an employee can’t work or hadn’t planned on working Monday through Wednesday, they are encouraged come to the center for resources and assistance.

[AndyA]

1. It sounds like you work for a great company.

There was a time in America where this would have been the rule instead of the exception, but our throw away society today seems to have moved away from loyalty and honor to others.

You should be proud to work for this company.

[Donnachaidh]

2. glad to see this!

After we went thru a quake, my evil half's employer Fed-exed him his pink slip. They didn't even have the cajones to call him, just fired him. :grr:

[MindPilot]

3. Yeah. I once got fired while on vacation.

No notification at all--just returned to find I no longer worked there.

[Donnachaidh]

4. at least you had a home to go to

We were red-tagged. And had given a temporary address to his job - but they chose to send it to the red-tagged apartment. Cowards. :grr: