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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Retail Worker Question
My mom works at a grocery store. She’s in a high risk group and wants to wear a mask while at work. Work says no.
Does anyone know if an employer can prevent their employees from wearing masks or gloves at this time. I tried to research on the DOL. OSHA website, but it didn’t specifically address that issue. It also does not consider retail workers at risk employees for contracting coronavirus which I can’t quite grasp. Any information on someone who I can contact to bring attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Message edited 3/20/2020 2:51:01 AM.
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Posted 3/20/20 1:52 AM  |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Retail Worker Question
Honestly there aren’t enough masks for hospitals so not sure what you think an official is going to do. Regular surgical masks won’t offer her any real protection.
Sorry. Can she afford to take a leave of absence during this time?
This has really never happened before so OSHO standards weren’t really created with something like this in mind. Perhaps there will be updates once this is over.
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| Posted 3/20/20 2:40 AM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Re: Retail Worker Question
Posted by queensgal
Honestly there aren’t enough masks for hospitals so not sure what you think an official is going to do. Regular surgical masks won’t offer her any real protection.
Sorry. Can she afford to take a leave of absence during this time?
This has really never happened before so OSHO standards weren’t really created with something like this in mind. Perhaps there will be updates once this is over.
She has access to masks and gloves. She’s not asking for The store to provide them. The store will not let her wear either. They will also not let her stop working/take a leave. Her doctor will not write her a note unless she is sick with the virus. The union told her to quit. She’s been working here since the 1970s so she doesn’t want to do that.
Message edited 3/20/2020 2:51:38 AM.
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| Posted 3/20/20 2:50 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Retail Worker Question
Posted by PitterPatter11
Posted by queensgal
Honestly there aren’t enough masks for hospitals so not sure what you think an official is going to do. Regular surgical masks won’t offer her any real protection.
Sorry. Can she afford to take a leave of absence during this time?
This has really never happened before so OSHO standards weren’t really created with something like this in mind. Perhaps there will be updates once this is over.
She has access to masks and gloves. She’s not asking for The store to provide them. The store will not let her wear either. They will also not let her stop working/take a leave. Her doctor will not write her a note unless she is sick with the virus. The union told her to quit. She’s been working here since the 1970s so she doesn’t want to do that.
Ok, so they are trying to make her quit, so she can’t get unemployment.
What is in the handbook? She should just wear a scarf over her mouth instead. They seem to be hellbent on no masks, but I’m pretty sure that’s not legal.
So what she wears a mask and then they fire her?
And if she wants to wear gloves, then wear them. She can say she has a cut on her hand and she is taking precautions.
But TBH, I’m not sure if a mask and gloves will help her. But don’t let them force her to quit.
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| Posted 3/20/20 3:05 AM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Retail Worker Question
It's definitely illegal to not allow her to wear a mask or gloves. She should reach out to the Dept. of Labor but I'm sure they are overwhelmed at the moment.
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| Posted 3/20/20 3:47 AM |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Retail Worker Question
Posted by PitterPatter11
Posted by queensgal
Honestly there aren’t enough masks for hospitals so not sure what you think an official is going to do. Regular surgical masks won’t offer her any real protection.
Sorry. Can she afford to take a leave of absence during this time?
This has really never happened before so OSHO standards weren’t really created with something like this in mind. Perhaps there will be updates once this is over.
She has access to masks and gloves. She’s not asking for The store to provide them. The store will not let her wear either. They will also not let her stop working/take a leave. Her doctor will not write her a note unless she is sick with the virus. The union told her to quit. She’s been working here since the 1970s so she doesn’t want to do that.
Yikes. Sorry to hear this and sounds silly they won’t let her wear her own equipment. Maybe they don’t want customers to “get freaked out” but I would think we are all beyond that at this point.
I’m very sorry she is going through this. If this was me, I would be insubordinate and wear the gloves/mask and let them fire me if they choose. Only other real choice is to resign and then lose unemployment. I’m just not sure there are any other options. Has she used any vacation/paid time off? That’s not a solution but maybe will buy some time?
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| Posted 3/20/20 5:49 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Retail Worker Question
Posted by mrsrainbow
It's definitely illegal to not allow her to wear a mask or gloves. She should reach out to the Dept. of Labor but I'm sure they are overwhelmed at the moment.
This
And honestly, if I were her, I’d start coughing all over the place where they have to send her home.
**** that
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| Posted 3/20/20 6:13 AM |
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w8andsee
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1193 total posts
Name:
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Re: Retail Worker Question
I keep hearing that it's not a good idea for a healthy person to be wearing a mask because you will be touching your face more often with a mask on vs not having one on.
The gloves would probably be a good idea. I see employees at my local Stop and Shop wearing gloves.
Are they not allowing gloves either?
Message edited 3/20/2020 6:23:02 AM.
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| Posted 3/20/20 6:19 AM |
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Mmm777
LIF Infant
Member since 2/13 330 total posts
Name:
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Retail Worker Question
I think they are just spreading the information that’s masks don’t work as there are no masks anywhere
However if she has I don’t see why she can’t use it , it can’t be any worse than not using any protection
Same with gloves
In all honesty the hospitals don’t have any protective gear or are running out. Unless the govt does something about it we are in deep.
I think NY should order a shelter in place for 2 weeks. This will slow things down and protective measures can be done hopefully.
Message edited 3/20/2020 6:31:43 AM.
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| Posted 3/20/20 6:30 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Retail Worker Question
I don't think the mask will help her, however, she should be allowed to wear it if it makes her feel more comfortable. What is the reasoning?
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| Posted 3/20/20 6:36 AM |
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