As wildfires devastate the Los Angeles region, TikTok faces criticism for requiring local employees to use personal or sick leave if unable to work remotely. The ongoing wildfires have destroyed over 1,300 structures, burned more than 45 square miles, and forced nearly 180,000 people to evacuate. Despite these dire conditions, the social media giant has been accused of inadequate support for its workforce during this crisis.
TikTok’s Los Angeles office remains closed due to power outages caused by high winds. Employees unable to work from home due to power or internet disruptions—or those under evacuation orders—reportedly must use their limited paid sick and personal leave (PSSL) days or vacation time. TikTok provides 10 PSSL days and 15 paid time off (PTO) days annually for employees hired before June. Once PSSL days are exhausted, employees must either borrow from the next year’s allotment or use their PTO.
Internal documents show TikTok’s PSSL policy allows leave for health conditions or emergencies declared by public officials but does not address natural disasters such as wildfires. Employees claim the company’s rigid policies force them to choose between their safety and preserving their limited leave.
Some TikTok employees, commuting from fire-affected areas, are without power or Wi-Fi, complicating remote work. Others face evacuation orders. Screenshots obtained by TechCrunch show conflicting messages from TikTok leadership. While some leaders stress employee safety, others demand work updates despite the challenges.
After criticism, TikTok issued a statement calling reports of requiring personal leave for wildfire-related absences a misunderstanding. However, screenshots of internal communications appear to contradict this assertion, suggesting confusion or inconsistency in policy enforcement.
This controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of TikTok’s workplace policies, including its strict return-to-office mandate requiring three in-office days per week. Critics argue TikTok’s response to the LA wildfires exemplifies a tone-deaf, “business-as-usual” approach during a major natural disaster.
