Compulsory Wearing of Facemasks Indoors

[Cucumber]

So you dont have to wear one for your break and food , does the virus care that your on youre break and eating? Still no proper distancing , still some ppl not washing hands , its okay as longs the mail goes out tho .

Of course not, but it's pretty hard to eat or drink whilst wearing a face covering!

This whole, "is the virus smart enough" "does the virus care" patter is utter nonsense. Measures are taken to reduce risk and spread, not to eliminate it altogether which is a virtual impossibility.

Totally agree with you.
And also to the people complaining 'Why now'? when it comes to wearing a mask. There has been nothing to stop you wearing a face mask indoors with RM. They have even been supplied for you for months. Do people not think it was a bit strange that you have had to legally wear a face covering in shops and on public transport for many months now, but not legally in the workplace?
Wear a face covering when you are going to be in close contact with those not in your own household. It's really that simple.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Either way the company have stated if you want to continue having a job with them you need to wear a face covering/visor while your in the building. It doesn't matter if it does or does not stop the thread it is now a mandatory part of employment like signing on or scanning parcels.

No it does not work like that medical exemptions are allowed stop spouting bull s**t that some people will believe.

Post-irony.

Would you care to elaborate?

The covid conspiracy stuff you have been posting.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can’t believe we have been going through this for 8 months and all you sheep still believe this bullshit I work in a big office in a big town know a lot of people and still don’t know anybody whos had it or been ill or died this country has died people are just walking zombies

yep.heads in the sand.inflated numbers.nurse resignes and speaks out over the lies thats been going on.felt sorry for her having to give up a job she loves.i also haven’t heard anyone even cough in my office but they will tell you that people dont always show symptoms.mmm.ok.oh and the words conspiracy theorists is used to label those who are nut jobs when all along they are telling the truth.

But you think there is a conspiracy to cover-up

inflated numbers

So isn't using the word Conspiracy Theorists accurate?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Reading some comments on here, so anyone can say they are exempt and you don't need to show proof bit strange that one!

Strange and completely unworkable.

Since the mask protects others would I be able to walk out if someone wasn't wearing a mask citing Section 44 Employment Rights Act 1996?

(d) in circumstances of danger which the employee reasonably believed to be serious and imminent and which he could not reasonably have been expected to avert, he left (or proposed to leave) or (while the danger persisted) refused to return to his place of work or any dangerous part of his place of work, or

(e) in circumstances of danger which the employee reasonably believed to be serious and imminent, he took (or proposed to take) appropriate steps to protect himself or other persons from the danger.

Wouldn't you need to prove that that person was showing signs of having the virus (the imminent danger)

Wouldn't the current lockdown, and the fact that the Government declared a pandemic meet that provision. Just thinking out loud.

[Woody Guthrie]

The facts are pretty simple.
Face masks are mandatory.
There will be exceptions.
You will have to discuss your reasons for an exception with your manager and you may be asked for evidence depending on whether your condition is already known to the business or not.

This is because it's not the same as jumping on a bus or walking into Tesco, you're asking your employer to make adjustments to the workplace and/or workplan to manage your condition. For that they quite rightly in my opinion require evidence otherwise the entire workplace could demand an exception, it would not be considered safe and could be closed down.

It's all pretty standard stuff and I'm not sure why some are having such a hard time getting their heads around it.

If you have a genuine reason fine, let your manager know and they'll have to manage it but it is possible you may be kept away from some areas of the office where it's particularly difficult to socially distance. If you don't have a genuine medical reason and you're just being a bit of a dick because you've been watching too many YouTube videos and think you know better than the scientists, try to remember you stick pieces of paper through doors for a living and have a word with yourself.

[Woody Guthrie]

One more thing and I'm done with this, if you do have a genuine medical reason for not wearing a mask please be aware that there's an extra responsibility on you to keep to the minimum 2m distance to protect your colleagues.

It's not a piss take opportunity.

[Schiff]

The facts are pretty simple.
Face masks are mandatory.
There will be exceptions.
You will have to discuss your reasons for an exception with your manager and you may be asked for evidence depending on whether your condition is already known to the business or not.

This is because it's not the same as jumping on a bus or walking into Tesco, you're asking your employer to make adjustments to the workplace and/or workplan to manage your condition. For that they quite rightly in my opinion require evidence otherwise the entire workplace could demand an exception, it would not be considered safe and could be closed down.

It's all pretty standard stuff and I'm not sure why some are having such a hard time getting their heads around it.

If you have a genuine reason fine, let your manager know and they'll have to manage it but it is possible you may be kept away from some areas of the office where it's particularly difficult to socially distance. If you don't have a genuine medical reason and you're just being a bit of a dick because you've been watching too many YouTube videos and think you know better than the scientists, try to remember you stick pieces of paper through doors for a living and have a word with yourself.

This ^^^^^

[luddite]

The joke at our place is the people who 'can't breathe' then stood in the yard smoking!

[Bridgeman]

One more thing and I'm done with this, if you do have a genuine medical reason for not wearing a mask please be aware that there's an extra responsibility on you to keep to the minimum 2m distance to protect your colleagues.

It's not a piss take opportunity.

[twiddledumb]

Everyone was wearing one in my office today. Good it's about time!

[banner]

So , when did social distancing cease to be enough ? Why wasn't face covering in indoor work places in Royal Mail necessary back in March ?
Answer Christmas is coming , and so we can flood your mail centre with seasonal casuals you now have to wear a face covering.

On another point , if you want a visor , and none are available , do you need to wear a face covering ?
And also if Royal Mail really cared about the welfare of their staff , have any offices sent home those Clinically Vulnerable Employees ?

We have been told a visor on its own is not acceptable. A mask must be worn even if you have a visor.

Had no problem wearing a visor. A third of our office don't wear a thing so hardly gonna be challenged over it.
The government guidelines permit visors as a face covering. I don't see why RM should go above and beyond government guidelines.

[david3595]

So , when did social distancing cease to be enough ? Why wasn't face covering in indoor work places in Royal Mail necessary back in March ?
Answer Christmas is coming , and so we can flood your mail centre with seasonal casuals you now have to wear a face covering.

On another point , if you want a visor , and none are available , do you need to wear a face covering ?
And also if Royal Mail really cared about the welfare of their staff , have any offices sent home those Clinically Vulnerable Employees ?

We have been told a visor on its own is not acceptable. A mask must be worn even if you have a visor.

Had no problem wearing a visor. A third of our office don't wear a thing so hardly gonna be challenged over it.
The government guidelines permit visors as a face covering. I don't see why RM should go above and beyond government guidelines.

About 30% of staff arrived today wearing no face mask saying they had a medical condition which was taken as their word. Several staff who had visors but no mask were told this is not suffice as per RM regulation. Union rep did an about turn and went a w o l when we all wanted answers

[PostmanBitesDog]

About 30% of staff arrived today wearing no face mask saying they had a medical condition which was taken as their word. Several staff who had visors but no mask were told this is not suffice as per RM regulation. Union rep did an about turn and went a w o l when we all wanted answers

Same in our office. Boy, was I p*ssed. The dishonest ones using the exemption as a loophole to avoid wearing a mask. I can't see why Royal Mail management furlough the exempt staff members, otherwise it defeats the purpose of mandatory mask wearing.

Mando.jpg

[weary_posty]

Sorry gaff but I’m not planning on wearing my seatbelt today because it causes me “distress”

[19times]

Most were wearing a face covering today but I must say it made me a bit sniffy! May take a trip to the docs to see if I have a undiagnosed condition as it was odd.

A few who have asthma didn't wear one. A couple on van share who have obviously been wearing one have tested positive! May be totally unrelated but we all seen the irony.

Hope they are OK, good guys.