PAY PRACTICES  FOR FACILITY CLOSURE DUE TO MANDATORY EVACUATION

Based on the event in Santa Rosa, the following pay practices apply to employees that work at a hospital and/or medical office building that is closed due to a mandatory evacuation notice instituted by CalFire in an area that has also been officially declared a state of emergency by the Governor of California. 

  1. If an employee is scheduled to work in a facility that is closed due to a mandatory evacuation order being declared in an area that has also been officially declared a state of emergency, they must contact their local staffing office or their manager (follow the normal process for scheduling) no less than one hour before start of shift. If work is available, employees may be directed to report to another facility (within a 50-mile radius). If an employee is not needed at another facility, they will be placed on paid administrative leave for that day.
  2. Once the mandatory evacuation of a facility is lifted these temporary HR practices and the opportunity for paid administrative leave will no longer be in effect; employees will be expected to report to work as regularly scheduled. If they are unable to report to work as regularly scheduled, they must contact their manager or local staffing office and if approved, they may use PTO/Vacation or unpaid leave.

 

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES  

Kaiser has established a Regional Human Resources Command Center Employee Emergency Call Line at (855) 599-9922 that will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A recording is available after hours where employees can leave their contact information and will be contacted the next day. Please call that phone number to learn more about any of the resources below. 

 

SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY SUPPORT 

  • Accommodations Reimbursement: Kaiser Permanente will support employees who are displaced from their homes due to mandatory evacuations by reimbursing up to $250 per day for lodging (including hotel fees and taxes), up to a maximum of five days. This applies only during the mandatory evacuation period and only to those who are mandated to evacuate their homes. To apply, contact the KP Regional Human Resources Command Center Employee Emergency Call Line at (855) 599-9922.
  • $500 Grant: Kaiser Permanente will provide a monetary grant for urgent and immediate needs such as food and clothing. This monetary grant is available to any employee displaced from their primary residence for a minimum of 48 hours under a mandatory evacuation as a result of the wildfires in Sonoma County. To apply, contact the KP Regional Human Resources Command Center Employee Emergency Call Line at (855) 599-9922.
  • $10,000 Loan: Special emergency assistance loans are available for employees who are awaiting other forms of emergency financial aid such as federal programs and insurance claims as a result of full or significant loss of their primary residence. Affected individuals may apply for an interest-free loan of up to a maximum of $10,000 (the IRS permissible amount) and will have between 18 to 36 months to repay the loan in full. To apply, contact the KP Regional Human Resources Command Center Employee Emergency Call Line at (855) 599-9922.
  • Financial Hardship Cash Outs of Vacation and/or Paid Time Off Account Hours: This may be available for those who suffer sudden and unexpected loss of property due to extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances. To apply, contact the KP Regional Human Resources Command Center Employee Emergency Call Line at (855) 599-9922.
  • Retirement Plan Financial Hardship Withdrawals: Employees who meet eligibility requirements may withdraw a portion of their Kaiser Permanente 401K plan, Tax Savings Retirement, or Supplemental Retirement Plan – Plan B.
    • KFH/HP and All Represented Employees Contact Vanguard at (800) 523-1188 
    • All Non-represented TPMG Employees and Physicians Contact Fidelity at (800) 889-4015 

 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

The EAP offers a free and confidential service for all Kaiser Permanente employees and their immediate family members. Individuals can speak with representatives to receive support for emotional or psychological concerns. 

Contact EAP at (510) 987-4600 or after hours at (877) 801-5751