Post # 1
Member
1416 posts
Bumble bee
Hey everyone popping back in to vent a little bit. I am so frustrated with the situation at work; nothing has changed and we still have droves of people (including more out of towners) coming in without masks. Thankfully I am getting vaxed this weekend, but I just want to quit at this point. I feel totally alone here and like the ppl who are putting everyone at risk are the ones being protected by management. My boss literally told me yesterday in front of everyone that he’s “done with masks” and can’t wait until the mandate gets lifted. Everyone took that as a signal that they can not wear masks anymore, clearly.
I have been applying for jobs like crazy for the past month since the original incident but I haven’t gotten so much as a single interview. I am just so tired of this and want to quit but my husband doesn’t want me to because we are trying to save right now and he just started a business. I am at a loss what to do; if I should bring this up again w management or what. I just feel like the only way that conversation will end, is with me quitting. Any words of advice appreciated.
Post # 2
Member
1451 posts
Bumble bee
I’m sorry thing haven’t improved at work for you, I remember seeing your previous posts and it doesn’t sound like a good work environment and one that has very different POV on the pandemic than you do.
However, with you getting vaccinated this weekend and being in the risky financial position of your husband starting a business – I’d probably continue to stick it out and continue actively applying to other jobs. I know it’s really tough, but I think it’s probably better to be disappointed about not getting interviews while getting an income then it would be not getting interviews AND not getting a paycheck.
A new opportunity will turn up, just stay positive and keep at it!
Post # 3
Member
609 posts
Busy bee
OP, in addition to job hunting I STRONGLY suggest that you speak with an employment attorney in your area. You will likely get a free consultation, and they can provide you with advice about your rights here. Being forced out of a job because you raise concerns about health and welfare issues is almost certainly the basis for a lawsuit depending on where you are located. In addition, their continued violation of the mask mandate is an OSHA issue. An attorney can give you advice tailored to the laws where you are located, and can help you navigate this in a way that will put you in the best spot if you are fired or forced to quit.
Post # 4
Member
13908 posts
Honey Beekeeper
It would be a shame and a heartbreak if you caught Covid now, with a likely 5-6 weeks to go until full immunity. It can still happen. Your state still has a mask mandate, so they are blatantly continuing to break the law. What I would do, and screw the consequences, would be 1) consult an attorney 2) document everything 3) tell your boss that you are not comfortable working in the office as long as the mandate is not being followed and will have to work from home for at least the next six weeks. Remind him that you aren’t just afraid of dying from Covid, but that even some with asymptomatic or mild cases have shown serious long haul symptoms.
Even then it’s a risk. You are talking multiple households, with unvaccinated co-workers, no widespread immunity, and the possibility of deadlier variants spreading. As for your husband, I get that he wants to save, and started a new business, but your life and health have to come first. He doesn’t have the right to unilaterally dictate what you should do.
Post # 5
Member
1416 posts
Bumble bee
@TravelingBride31: thanks bee! It’s just so discouraging and I feel so stuck and helpless in this situation. I hope something comes through soon.
@sandiegobee: I spoke with a close friend who ended up suing her previous employer for wrongful term to get their perspective and unfortunately, even though she got a settlement, all her relationships were ruined and she was blacklisted from the industry and not able to get another job anywhere. Sometimes, even if you are in the right, the consequences of taking legal action against your employer are immense and difficult to come back from. I am not wanting to open that can of worms. The best I can do in this situation is to know what my rights are obviously, but to find another job ASAP. And be completely honest with them about why I am leaving and that their decisions have caused a dedicated employee to quit.
Post # 6
Member
447 posts
Helper bee
I would legit put an anon complaint in to your health care line and have them show up.
Post # 7
Member
609 posts
Busy bee
@missmollybee: I’m sorry for your friend’s experience, but I’ve been an employment lawyer for 15 years. You can either complain, or you can do something about it – and the best way to do something about it is armed with the right information (from an actual lawyer).
Post # 8
Member
380 posts
Helper bee
@missmollybee: I’m really sorry that things haven’t improved. But you are now armed with one very important piece of information: this is how they are. Your boss even said it as blatantly as could possibly be said!
Get your hands on a KN95 mask, and wear it the entire time you are in the building. When you eat or drink, go outside to do so. (When you are fully vaccinated, you can most likely get away with quick drinks inside, but I would still go outside to eat.) A 4-5 layer mask such as a KN95 will still give you good protection if others aren’t wearing their masks. These are the types of masks, along with N95s, that medical professionals use around known COVID patients.
However, at the same time, I need to caution you about not depending too much on being vaccinated with these first generation vaccines. By all means, get a vaccine. The more layers of protection you have, the better. But I would act as though your vaccine isn’t going to prevent a mild illness with the possibility of complications, especially against some of the more mutant variants. So, the KN95 mask, not the vaccine, wll be your best protection against the selfish and reprehensible behavior of your coworkers and boss. The vaccine will nearly guarantee staying out of the hospital and guarantee that you won’t die from COVID. But you don’t want the fatigue, brain fog, or lung scarring. Additional data is beginning to show that the mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines may be very effective against mild infection, but the problem here is that they aren’t great against some of the variants. We’ll need booster shots to close that gap.
You are going to have to quit. I have learned with experience that one person by themselves cannot change an entire work culture. This isn’t one or two people going without masks. I hope you get yourself some interviews soon.
Post # 9
Member
1416 posts
Bumble bee
You guys are absolutely right- I am in the process of quitting and that is the only thing I can do about the situation. As of Saturday, my state is lifting the mask mandate so there is no way I can do anything about my workplace’s choice to not wear masks. They have made it clear that it is not a concern, even with a mandate in place; so the best thing I can do is leave. Taking legal action is not something I am willing to do- without a mask mandate in place there isn’t much I can do anyway. I feel like this is going to be a tricky issue in many workplaces.
Bees who live in non-mandated states, how has your workplace been handling masks? Are they still enforcing company mask policies or working from home? My husband and I were just talking about this and curious to see how employers are going to respond to this.
Post # 10
Member
302 posts
Helper bee
@missmollybee: I live in Texas, which as I’m sure you’ve heard lifted its mask mandate and opened everything up 100% about 3 weeks ago. My husband works for a big chemical company down here and he is still under mandate to work from home for the forseeable future, they are not allowing anyone whose job can be done remotely to go into the office yet.
From what I can tell, the majority of retail and food service employers, including mine, are still requiring employees to mask up. They are also requesting customers to do so as well, but not enforcing it upon those who choose not to. Thankfully in my part of Texas it appears that 80-ish percent of people still wear masks out in public. My workplace has no plans to lift employee mask mandate as of right now, even with vaccines fully opened up to all adults as of this Monday.
I think it all just comes down to who is running the business and what their beliefs are. Unfortunately anyone who has been blowing off covid safety up to this point isn’t going to change, especially if restrictions are lifted. Those who have always taken it seriously and are putting health and safety first aren’t changing their rules when mandates are gone.
Post # 11
Member
3588 posts
Sugar bee
@missmollybee: How other employers respond really won’t affect your situation. Your particular employer has not cared and continues not to care. I would keep focusing on finding a new job and not waste your mental energy on your sucky employer.