Extreme Weather Initiative Targets Major Gaps in Workplace Readiness
A new national program provides employers with tools and peer networks to protect employees from increasing climate-related health risks.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 15, 2026
Over 80% of U.S. workers faced weather-related job disruptions in the past year, yet only 4% of employers have assessed these specific risks, according to data from the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health and Mercer.
To address this disparity, the Health Action Alliance has launched Extreme Weather + Work. The initiative, supported by Mercer and The Hartford, aims to provide companies with practical guidance and peer-learning communities to support staff before, during and after extreme weather events.
The launch follows a year of significant economic impact, with 2025 seeing 23 weather disasters that each exceeded $1 billion in damages. Despite these figures, recent polling indicates only 25% of workers believe their employers are adequately prepared for future climate disruptions.
"Extreme weather is becoming a persistent, year-round challenge for both employers and workers," said David Leathers, director of Extreme Weather + Work.
The initiative launches with 11 founding members, including Google, Disney and CVS Health. These organizations will work to define readiness standards across various sectors, ranging from construction to office-based environments.
Participating employers can access tools such as a climate health cost forecaster and a worker health scorecard. These resources help management identify climate risks, estimate impacts on healthcare costs and evaluate current mitigation strategies.
The program is guided by the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, a strategic advisory board established in 2024 to define the private sector's role in climate resilience.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.