Boeschen Vineyards 

Wildfire smoke is an increasing climate-related risk for outdoor workers, especially in regions where harvest seasons now overlap with longer and more intense fire seasons. Vineyard workers can face difficult choices during smoke events: continue working in unhealthy air or stay home and lose wages. 

Boeschen Vineyards, a small Napa Valley winery, has introduced a worker protection policy designed for wildfire and extreme weather disruption. When there is an evacuation or air quality reaches unhealthy levels, workers can stay home and still be paid for missed hours. If they choose to work during these conditions, they receive time-and-a-half hazard pay. 

This approach recognises that climate adaptation for labour is not only about masks, monitoring, or stop-work rules. It is also about income protection. Workers are more likely to follow safety guidance when they do not have to choose between protecting their health and losing wages. For the business, the policy helps build trust, support labour retention, and set a higher standard for worker protection in a climate-exposed sector.