TikTok advises its Los Angeles staff affected by wildfires to use their vacation or sick leave if they cannot work from home.

Currently, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is facing devastating wildfires that have scorched over 45 square miles, destroyed more than 1,300 structures, and forced nearly 180,000 people to evacuate. However, TikTok employees in Los Angeles have been instructed to continue working from home or to use their personal or sick days if this is not possible, as the TikTok office in LA remains closed due to power outages caused by high winds. The Palisades fire is close enough that smoke can be seen from the office windows. Although the office located in Culver City is not currently under mandatory evacuation orders, both this office and many employees' homes are being affected by the fires and windstorms.

TikTok workers in this region come from various areas of Los Angeles; some even commute for hours to get to their jobs. Numerous homes have been left without electrical power, Wi-Fi connection, or both, as confirmed by sources within the company. Some employees may be under their own evacuation orders, although this has not been directly verified so far. In light of these challenging circumstances, TikTok has recommended that its staff use their personal or sick days to cover the workdays they cannot perform due to the power outages.

TikTok management informed employees in a communication that the LA office will remain closed from January 8 to 12 due to the ongoing fires and lack of power. These days are considered work-from-home days unless a team leader decides otherwise. Additionally, a human resources representative shared links to company resources for those affected by the fires, including a mental wellness portal and an option to sign up for free mental health sessions.

Employees hired before June are entitled to 10 days of paid sick or personal days per year, in addition to 15 days of paid time off (PTO). However, sick days are highly valued since the office return policy requires employees to be present at least three days a week. If an employee feels unwell and wants to avoid spreading illness to coworkers, they are allowed to work from home, but they must also use their PSSL hours, complicating the situation during emergencies like the current one.

This week, TikTok staff in LA have been instructed to use their sick or personal days if they cannot work from home due to power outages or if they are under evacuation orders. This means they will have fewer days available for any potential illness or personal emergency later in the year. If they do not have enough PSSL hours, they can either borrow hours from next year or use their PTO. Those who can work from home must update their work status on a specific portal to avoid penalties.

TikTok's PSSL policy does not specifically mention that these days can be used in the event of natural disasters, such as the current fires. In several internal messages, some employees have reported that they do not have power in their homes or that their city is generally without electricity. As concerns about air quality intensify, some also express worry about using the battery of their devices or fuel for their generator to work from home, as there is no clarity on the duration of power outages.

With the pressure TikTok faces due to an impending potential ban in the U.S., which may already be affecting the mental health and stress levels of its employees, the demand to continue working amidst this crisis seems insensitive. Although some internal messages emphasize that employee safety and well-being should be a priority, the request to use personal days if they cannot work from home contrasts with that narrative. While TikTok was contacted for a comment, there was initially no response. The company later clarified that any misunderstanding regarding the use of personal days stems from confusion.