Coronavirus

[imanautie]

With the 80% furlough payments coming to a end on the 31st July. Do u think the government will force companies to provide masks for workers who can’t maintain social distancing when they fully reopen?

If its required to be safe then existing h&s legislation applies, I know ups and DHL have given their operational staff masks I'm guessing under the logic that it's the same as a hard hat.

 

[rob666]

My wife was given two double cotton masks, full of moisture after half an hour.

 

[Dave]

If its required to be safe then existing h&s legislation applies, I know ups and DHL have given their operational staff masks I'm guessing under the logic that it's the same as a hard hat.

Government has specifically said they are not forcing employers to provide masks but can strongly encourage staff to wear their own.

 

[Jb85]

Isn’t it a case of too little too late with regards to face masks?

the only reason in my eyes that this is still suppressed is simply down to the lack of mass gatherings

face masks should have been brought into play 4 months ago if you ask me

Hope your all ok ? I’ve had a bit of a break from all social media recently

 

[Dave]

Isn’t it a case of too little too late with regards to face masks?

the only reason in my eyes that this is still suppressed is simply down to the lack of mass gatherings

face masks should have been brought into play 4 months ago if you ask me

Hope your all ok ? I’ve had a bit of a break from all social media recently

Too little too late, this governments mantra

 

[jon81uk]

Isn’t it a case of too little too late with regards to face masks?

the only reason in my eyes that this is still suppressed is simply down to the lack of mass gatherings

face masks should have been brought into play 4 months ago if you ask me

Hope your all ok ? I’ve had a bit of a break from all social media recently

Four months ago we were in full lockdown and the message was stay at home, masks weren't needed as you shouldn't have been going out. Also cloth masks were not easily available and stocks of disposible PPE were low for the NHS so the public buying them all up wouldn't have helped.

I agree it is too late, but they should have been mandatory when non-essential shops re-opened in June.

 

[Jonathan]

I’m due in work later this afternoon, and I have to say I’m not looking forward to the mask rule. Luckily, I don’t have to wear one due to my autism - I just don’t like the idea of something covering my face that tightly for hours and knowing I can’t take it off. I don’t want to risk having a panic attack or anything. I came close to having one before (under very different circumstances, I must add), and it was probably the most terrifying experience of my life. I’ve spoken to my line manager, and she’s very understanding of my concerns. She’s OK with me wearing one of these sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities, and I’ve got a little card which explains a bit as to why I’m not wearing one, which should help. With regard to enforcement, there’s not a lot retailers can actually do - they haven’t got the legal authority to do much other than contact the police if people really start kicking off. Plus, how do we know if someone’s got a hidden disability but doesn’t want to draw attention to it? I just want to clarify that these are my personal views, and they do not necessarily reflect those of the company I work for. I’m hopeful things won’t be too bad today, but I’ve got some cider in the fridge for after work. Plus a bottle of whisky if things get REALLY bad.

 

[imanautie]

I’m due in work later this afternoon, and I have to say I’m not looking forward to the mask rule. Luckily, I don’t have to wear one due to my autism - I just don’t like the idea of something covering my face that tightly for hours and knowing I can’t take it off. I don’t want to risk having a panic attack or anything. I came close to having one before (under very different circumstances, I must add), and it was probably the most terrifying experience of my life. I’ve spoken to my line manager, and she’s very understanding of my concerns. She’s OK with me wearing one of these sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities, and I’ve got a little card which explains a bit as to why I’m not wearing one, which should help. With regard to enforcement, there’s not a lot retailers can actually do - they haven’t got the legal authority to do much other than contact the police if people really start kicking off. Plus, how do we know if someone’s got a hidden disability but doesn’t want to draw attention to it? I just want to clarify that these are my personal views, and they do not necessarily reflect those of the company I work for. I’m hopeful things won’t be too bad today, but I’ve got some cider in the fridge for after work. Plus a bottle of whisky if things get REALLY bad.

Doesn't it not apply to staff anyway?

On the note of enforcement apparently Sainsbury's have been saying to people on twitter they won't be enforcing it at all because some people are excempt.

 

[Jonathan]

Doesn't it not apply to staff anyway?

On the note of enforcement apparently Sainsbury's have been saying to people on twitter they won't be enforcing it at all because some people are excempt.

Staff now have to wear them unless they’re exempt or working in certain areas (like behind a screen or in the warehouse). My guess is that it’s to try and reinforce the message to people, though whether or not it’ll get through is another thing entirely.

 

[imanautie]

Staff now have to wear them unless they’re exempt or working in certain areas (like behind a screen or in the warehouse). My guess is that it’s to try and reinforce the message to people, though whether or not it’ll get through is another thing entirely.

Ah so company policy? That's expected.

 

[Alsty]

I feel like if this rule was introduced back when we were in the height of the lockdown, people would've worn them without question due to the paranoia. Introducing it now, I worry a lot will simply think we're out of the worst now so why bother? Time will time. Let's hope people just do the right thing.

As for Sainsbury's publicly saying they won't enforce it... I feel that's a bit silly and will just encourage non-compliance. They shouldn't have said that publicly, even if it was going to be their actual policy.

 

[imanautie]

I feel like if this rule was introduced back when we were in the height of the lockdown, people would've worn them without question due to the paranoia. Introducing it now, I worry a lot will simply think we're out of the worst now so why bother? Time will time. Let's hope people just do the right thing.

As for Sainsbury's publicly saying they won't enforce it... I feel that's a bit silly and will just encourage non-compliance. They shouldn't have said that publicly, even if it was going to be their actual policy.

Well IL tell you in about an hour if that's the front line policy...

 

[Alsty]

With regard to enforcement, there’s not a lot retailers can actually do - they haven’t got the legal authority to do much other than contact the police if people really start kicking off.

Although to be fair, that's the same as enforcing age restrictions and I don't see any problems with retailers doing that. However I do understand the desire to avoid confrontation, as I'm sure you and your colleagues have had plenty of that.

I think ideally the supermarkets would have a member of security on the door to enforce it, rather than make it the responsibility of other colleagues. And even then I don't think it needs to be hostile or start turning people away, simply telling people they need to wear a mask might be enough to get better compliance. The majority of responsible people will obey. The minority will always disobey whatever you put into place and isn't worth worrying about.

 

[Jonathan]

Although to be fair, that's the same as enforcing age restrictions and I don't see any problems with retailers doing that. However I do understand the reluctance to avoid confrontation, as I'm sure you and your colleagues have had plenty of that.

I think ideally the supermarkets would have a member of security on the door to enforce it, rather than make it the responsibility of other colleagues. And even then I don't think it needs to be hostile or start turning people away, simply telling people they need to wear a mask might be enough to get better compliance. The majority of responsible people will obey. The minority will always disobey whatever you put into place and isn't worth worrying about.

It's not been too bad over at the petrol station where I work - the biggest mission for us is getting people to wait on the correct side of the door to allow enough distance for anyone who's leaving the building and to make sure they follow the one-way system set up inside. It's a simple system, and whoever's on the door has been able to act as a mobile block to ensure it, though I had at least two customers yesterday who tried to get through when I was blocking their path. The door marshal role has now been stopped, which I think is a big mistake, though time will tell.

As for the main store? Ooh, I've heard of quite a few confrontations there, some of which have involved our security guard, and she is NOT someone you want to mess with. She's lovely, don't get me wrong, but I get the impression she can be terrifying when she needs to be. We've had someone on the door over at the main store for some time now to monitor numbers, though I have no idea if that's still going to be the case from today. As you've said, the vast majority have been fine, and do seem to get the rules. There's always the odd one that believes the rules don't apply to them at all, of course, but we've found that subtle enforcement tends to work fairly well.

 

[imanautie]

It's not been too bad over at the petrol station where I work - the biggest mission for us is getting people to wait on the correct side of the door to allow enough distance for anyone who's leaving the building and to make sure they follow the one-way system set up inside. It's a simple system, and whoever's on the door has been able to act as a mobile block to ensure it, though I had at least two customers yesterday who tried to get through when I was blocking their path. The door marshal role has now been stopped, which I think is a big mistake, though time will tell.

As for the main store? Ooh, I've heard of quite a few confrontations there, some of which have involved our security guard, and she is NOT someone you want to mess with. She's lovely, don't get me wrong, but I get the impression she can be terrifying when she needs to be. We've had someone on the door over at the main store for some time now to monitor numbers, though I have no idea if that's still going to be the case from today. As you've said, the vast majority have been fine, and do seem to get the rules. There's always the odd one that believes the rules don't apply to them at all, of course, but we've found that subtle enforcement tends to work fairly well.

Sainsbury's near me has a staff member with a tablet monitoring, with security at their normal podium.

 

[Jonathan]

Sainsbury's near me has a staff member with a tablet monitoring, with security at their normal podium.

The person on the door where I work has a tablet as well, though we don't have a security podium inside as such. Our guard tends to hang around near the top of the travelators from the car park, which is an ideal position to stop anyone who's trying to nick anything.

 

[Rob]

I think ideally the supermarkets would have a member of security on the door to enforce it, rather than make it the responsibility of other colleagues. And even then I don't think it needs to be hostile or start turning people away, simply telling people they need to wear a mask might be enough to get better compliance. The majority of responsible people will obey. The minority will always disobey whatever you put into place and isn't worth worrying about.

I read yesterday that Waitrose are doing exactly that, people will be reminded that they need to wear a mask by security when they enter the store. Makes sense to me!

 

[imanautie]

I read yesterday that Waitrose are doing exactly that, people will be reminded that they need to wear a mask by security when they enter the store. Makes sense to me!

It's basically the honor system but with additional prompts.

 

[jon81uk]

It's not been too bad over at the petrol station where I work - the biggest mission for us is getting people to wait on the correct side of the door to allow enough distance for anyone who's leaving the building and to make sure they follow the one-way system set up inside. It's a simple system, and whoever's on the door has been able to act as a mobile block to ensure it, though I had at least two customers yesterday who tried to get through when I was blocking their path. The door marshal role has now been stopped, which I think is a big mistake, though time will tell.

Do you have the full height screens at the petrol station counter anyway? If that is the case I wouldn't worry too much, you are protected from customers aynway!

 

[jon81uk]

Although to be fair, that's the same as enforcing age restrictions and I don't see any problems with retailers doing that. However I do understand the desire to avoid confrontation, as I'm sure you and your colleagues have had plenty of that.

Technically if a retailer sells alcohol to a minor, then the member of staff and the licensee has committed a crime as it is illegal to sell alcohol to someone under 18.
Whereas with the masks I think it is only the non-wearer of the mask that can be fined, I don't think there is anything in the legislation that makes it the shops responsibility to enforce anything.


There are some great videos going round in the US where stores that have put in their own policy of no entry/service without a mask and some adults acting like toddlers and having tantrums over it.