Information for the New Orleans Employee page on the Sazerac website:
To all of our New Orleans-based employees,
The thoughts and prayers of your fellow Sazerac, Buffalo Trace, SPAR and Bowman employees are with each of you during this time of tragedy. We have heard from all of our employees and believe that everyone was able to evacuate the city safely. We urge you to heed the advice of local officials regarding returning to New Orleans and your homes. Your safety is our first priority.
If you have not provided your current contact information to your manager or HR, please call Angie at (502) 696-5913 with this information.
The current plan is for the New Orleans office to remain closed until at least October 1. All employees will continue to be paid during this time. We will make future decisions on reopening the office based on the conditions in New Orleans. In the meantime, business functions are being temporarily transferred to Buffalo Trace.
Payroll for the period ending August 28 was processed normally. Due to the storm, we did not receive timesheet information for hourly paid employees, so pay was based on 80 hours. Based on our contact with the local banks, we believe that most were able to process the incoming direct deposits, but ask that you contact your bank if you can to verify that the deposit was made.
Department conference calls are being held periodically and the schedule will be placed on this website and on the hotline. To access the conference call, dial (866) 248-0553; when prompted for a room number, enter *2298979*
Current information will be available on this website or on our employee hotline, (888) 696-5908. Please check it regularly.
Additional information that may be helpful to you during this time is shown below.
Counseling and other
referral services for you and your family
All Sazerac employees are eligible to access our Buffalo Trace Employee Assistance Program: (800) 877-8332. Please identify yourself as a Buffalo Trace/Sazerac employee
All employees with UnitedHealthcare health insurance coverage have EAP assistance available through this insurance carrier. Procedures to follow to connect with a counselor around the clock 24/7:
Link to Article “Helping Children Cope with Disaster”
www.fema.gov/rrr/children.shtm
Link to article “Coping with storm related natural disasters”
Copy the following address into your web browser to access the article
www.psych.org/news_room/press_releases/05-51Copingwithstormrelatednaturaldisasters.pdf
Medical Insurance
Information
UnitedHealthcare
Customer Service: 866-633-2446
Claims address: P.O. Box 30555, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0555
Group Number: 707764
Company: Republic Beverage Company
Some additional steps
to consider taking at this time:
ÄInitiate a claim with FEMA; contact information shown below
ÄContact your homeowners insurance carrier (auto insurance as well if you have vehicle damage) to determine what is needed to file a claim.
ÄContact your mortgage company about status of your mortgage payments
Ä There is word that some credit card companies and other lenders (Big 3 auto loans, etc.) may be providing a 3 month grace period for payments. Call your credit card companies and other lenders to ask about payment options they may have available.
ÄSome school systems outside of the New Orleans area are opening up their schools for children from New Orleans. If you have temporarily relocated, call the school system at your present location to determine what they are doing.
Community/government resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
To apply for assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov.
This website and the article linked below have much information on assistance available and how to initiate a claim.
Link to FEMA guide “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program”
www.fema.gov/pdf/about/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf
American Red Cross
To request assistance:
1-866-438-4636
The above number can also be used
for public safety information and road closures
Louisiana State Police
Info on roadways that are open and safe for travel in less impacted areas: (800) 469-4828
For information on
401(k) plan loans or hardship withdrawals; or to stop contributions
1. Call the Prudential Answer Line: (800) 253-2287
2. If you do not have your pin number, contact Angie Forsee at (502) 696-5913 and request that she reset your pin number
3. You will need to provide an address or fax number to have the paperwork mailed/faxed
4. If faxed, let Angie Forsee (number above) know when fax is sent so we can provide authorization to Prudential to process the request.
5. If stopping your contribution, please also advise Rhonda Roberts at (502) 696-5901.
Other Information Resources
Links to streaming video on local news channels
Other community information
www.nola.com This site also has links to other community information
New Resources –
Updated 9/8/05
This
link leads to a Red Cross publication to help people impacted by disaster
regain their financial footings.
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/
Federal Disaster Application Centers (DACs) provide “one stop shopping” for aid applications. A quick description of the Centers and the things one should bring when coming to apply is found at this location. http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/CHAP03/D03-11.PDF
Frequently
Asked Questions:
These Federal “FAQ” lists provide a good starting place to
learn about disaster aid resources available to those affected by Hurricane
Katrina. http://answers.firstgov.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=KTOOiSBh
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/qanda.shtm
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Department of Homeland Security and Government Response
§
White
House Focus on Hurricane Relief
City of New Orleans:
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx
Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals
Cope Line - Southeast Louisiana and Metro New Orleans (24/7): 1-800-749-2673
Local phone: 225-342-9500
Emergency news and quick contacts for hurricane victims:
http://www.dhh.state.la.us
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Information about road closures and emergency evacuation routes
Local phone: 225-379-1100
http://www.dotd.state.la.us
Louisiana Disaster Center
http://www.disastercenter.com/louisa/louisa.htm
Louisiana Governor's Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/
Louisiana Homeland Security
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/
Louisiana Hotel Information
1-800-99-GUMBO
http://www.louisianatravel.com
Louisiana Mental Health Resources
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/stateresourceguides/Louisiana01.asp
Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.la-spca.org/
Louisiana State Police
Detailed road closure information and disaster evacuation guide
Police Hotline: 1-800-469-4828
http://www.lsp.org/emergency.html
Following
are tips from the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Louisiana for those who
will need to make home repairs:
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Determine how much aid is available. The three
basic funding sources for repairs are insurance proceeds, government assistance
and private funds. If homeowners begin emergency repairs before having all the
funding in place, they should be sure to document all expenditures, including
temporary lodging, meals, moving expenses and storage rentals. These receipts
may be needed for reimbursement.
§
Check references,
including the Better Business Bureau, before choosing a contractor.
Unscrupulous contractors look at disasters as a way to make a lot of money
without doing an adequate job.
§
Be suspicious of
door-to-door contractors.
§
Request two or three
estimates of the cost of repairs that use the same package of materials in the
bid stating when work is to begin and end.
§
Any promises made should
be included in writing in the contract, including any warranties on materials
and labor. Prices should be broken down for labor and materials.
§
Ask for a lien waver
to protect yourself in the event the contractor fails to pay suppliers.