Most organizations are not prepared to protect workers from extreme weather events, even as heat, storms and poor air quality increasingly disrupt daily operations, according to a new report from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
The report, Facing the Storm: Extreme Weather and the Workplace, found that 82 per cent of workers experienced at least one weather-related disruption in the past year. Nearly one in three said they could not work during recent events because of closures or power outages.
“The impact of weather on the workforce is something we all have to take seriously,” said Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI. “We can’t afford to assume these events won’t affect our teams. The question is whether HR is ready to respond — and in many cases, the answer is no.”
HRCI partnered with the Health Action Alliance, an employer network focused on business and public health, to produce the report. It draws on survey data, expert interviews and case examples.
A widening gap between awareness and action
While 77 per cent of HR professionals said extreme weather can affect their workforce, more than half said their organizations are not prepared to respond.
Other key findings from the report include:
- Not ready: 56 per cent of HR professionals said their company is not prepared for an extreme weather event.
- No assessment: 71 per cent had not conducted a weather risk or readiness assessment in the past year.
- Not seen as a risk: Nearly 40 per cent of organizations do not view extreme weather as a meaningful business risk.
The report said weather-related disruption is no longer occasional. Routine events such as extreme heat and poor air quality are causing school closures and power outages that affect day-to-day operations, beyond the headline-grabbing hurricanes and wildfires.
Impact reaches beyond outdoor workers
The findings are not limited to specific industries or regions, the report said. Outdoor workers face direct exposure, but office and remote employees are also affected through power outages, commuting problems, school closures and caregiving demands. More than six in 10 workers said extreme weather has reduced their productivity.
“These disruptions are becoming part of the baseline,” said David Leathers, director of the Extreme Weather + Work Initiative at the Health Action Alliance. “Workers across industries are experiencing real impacts, and they expect employers to respond in meaningful ways.”
The report also pointed to effects on talent and retention. More than four in 10 employees said their employer’s preparedness for extreme weather influences their decision to stay with the organization long-term.
HR’s expanding role
Extreme weather response has traditionally been reactive and split across functions such as operations and facilities. The report argued HR is well placed to lead preparedness efforts as employee expectations change.
“These disruptions show up in metrics HR already tracks: absenteeism, productivity, retention and employee experience. Companies that build readiness before the next major event — not after — will be better positioned to protect their people and recover more quickly,” Dufrane said.
The report outlined practical steps HR teams can take, many of which build on existing programs. They include clarifying remote work, attendance and leave policies for weather-related disruptions; communicating available benefits before and after events; auditing health, leave and employee assistance programs for relevant coverage; and coordinating with other business functions to set response protocols.
The report also flagged the mental health impact of extreme weather, noting that anxiety, displacement-related stress and long-term trauma can affect employees beyond the immediate event.
Methodology
The findings are based on multiple HRCI LinkedIn surveys conducted in April 2026 and webinar surveys conducted in late 2025, capturing responses from hundreds of HR professionals across industries. The report also draws on privately commissioned polling from the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health.
