Compulsory Wearing of Facemasks Indoors

[Cucumber]

There is a deeper issue going on here.

People are quite content to not wear a mask and not have a second thought about spreading their germs and possible covid around an office.
I've not seen anyone without a mask in our office, but more and more are adopting the mouth only technique, which is practically the same thing.

Interestingly, these are the same people who are the loudest complainants when asked to do anything which in their view increases their chance of contracting Covid.

Why aren't the non mask wearers being put on different shifts? There is a duty of care here to the rest of the workforce.

[aiden01]

There is a deeper issue going on here.

People are quite content to not wear a mask and not have a second thought about spreading their germs and possible covid around an office.
I've not seen anyone without a mask in our office, but more and more are adopting the mouth only technique, which is practically the same thing.

Interestingly, these are the same people who are the loudest complainants when asked to do anything which in their view increases their chance of contracting Covid.

Why aren't the non mask wearers being put on different shifts? There is a duty of care here to the rest of the workforce.

Except for casuals who are all wearing masks or visors would say at least 75 to 80% of staff or not wearing anything to cover even their mouths. think its a case if he/she is not wearing one why should i. Pretty pathetic in my opinion

[Cucumber]

There is a deeper issue going on here.

People are quite content to not wear a mask and not have a second thought about spreading their germs and possible covid around an office.
I've not seen anyone without a mask in our office, but more and more are adopting the mouth only technique, which is practically the same thing.

Interestingly, these are the same people who are the loudest complainants when asked to do anything which in their view increases their chance of contracting Covid.

Why aren't the non mask wearers being put on different shifts? There is a duty of care here to the rest of the workforce.

Except for casuals who are all wearing masks or visors would say at least 75 to 80% of staff or not wearing anything to cover even their mouths. think its a case if he/she is not wearing one why should i. Pretty pathetic in my opinion

Sounds like this is now a widespread national problem.

What are the CWU doing to protect staff who want to wear a mask to protect others and themselves, but are being failed by other members of staff.

[aiden01]

Must say all the non mask/visor wearers quite happily wear them on a bus or in a shop/supermarket but guess its a rm thing like ive already said in my opinion its pathetic.

[ConeHater]

A mischievous Googling earlier found that if one was to search “workplace Covid breaches” you soon find yourself on the Health & Safety Executive website looking at a form that can be submitted to report rule-breaking anonymously. Wouldn’t that be a terrible thing to do !

[Cucumber]

Must say all the non mask/visor wearers quite happily wear them on a bus or in a shop/supermarket but guess its a rm thing like ive already said in my opinion its pathetic.

The reason for that is quite simple. No mask and no good reason = no entry.
A huge number of issues in RM can be traced back to the 'manchild' behaviours and attitudes of many of the staff and a management willing to do anything to keep some staff happy/quiet. In others, by not wearing a mask it helps them to self re-enforce their beliefs that this virus is a load of hocus.

People who can and don't wear a face covering (for 90 mins/2 hours) are taking the absolute p!ss out of frontline health and care staff.

[wandle]

Any other offices got knobs walking around with lanyards bought off ebay saying there exempt

No need to buy a lanyard, 5 staff today decided after 3 days wearing a mask that it was causing them anxiety and boss accepted that, no questions asked.

And did the rest of the staff accept that, no questions asked?

Well according to that BBC report above, the CDC in the US are now saying face masks protect the wearer. So all the acrimony towards non-wearers should cease, now that people have their 100% effective shield on.
I wonder if those people ‘scared’ this week were perfectly happy to be mask-free up until 11:59pm last Sunday? Were all of those people complaining now wearing face coverings voluntarily in all of that time, before Royal Mail policy changed ?
No, thought not...

[Cucumber]

Any other offices got knobs walking around with lanyards bought off ebay saying there exempt

No need to buy a lanyard, 5 staff today decided after 3 days wearing a mask that it was causing them anxiety and boss accepted that, no questions asked.

And did the rest of the staff accept that, no questions asked?

Well according to that BBC report above, the CDC in the US are now saying face masks protect the wearer. So all the acrimony towards non-wearers should cease, now that people have their 100% effective shield on.
I wonder if those people ‘scared’ this week were perfectly happy to be mask-free up until 11:59pm last Sunday? Were all of those people complaining now wearing face coverings voluntarily in all of that time, before Royal Mail policy changed ?
No, thought not...

Why are you cherry picking bits of info?

'Face masks protect the wearer'. No, they ALSO protect the wearer. Many staff have been wearing masks for weeks and months now, you know, it's kinda the right and decent thing to do if you are in the high % that have no medical reason not to. And as for stating if they were happy to be mask free before last Sunday - in case you hadn't noticed, there were 33,000 positive cases yesterday, which is just the tip of the iceberg, plus much of the country is shut down. If that's not an extra push, then nothing will be.
Genuine question though - do you think that people complaining about the non/improper wearing of safety equipment should just shut up and go way?
Another question - do you not think it was a bit strange that RM only decreed that face mask were to be worn by people who were customer facing in the collections office? Why didn't they follow the lead of other companies and have this mandatory mask policy earlier?

[POSTMAN]

‘Workforce Testing’ (The CWU has also requested the introduction of regular workforce testing which Royal Mail Group have accepted and are in talks with the DHSC on this matter.
https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-544-20-rmg- ... ace-masks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ConeHater]

The percentage of mask-wearers in cross docking at NDC doesn’t seem to have improved as the week has gone on. I visit other hubs and mail centres during my shift and I struggle to see any non-wearers at all. If the selfish have chosen not to take responsibility for their own and their colleagues health and safety surely the managers should be offering them some advice ? Should Health & Safety Executive pay a visit I imagine they would take a very dim view of it, especially after reading of their visit to another RMG site.

[2yearpostie]

‘Workforce Testing’ (The CWU has also requested the introduction of regular workforce testing which Royal Mail Group have accepted and are in talks with the DHSC on this matter.
https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-544-20-rmg- ... ace-masks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Id rather not be tested thanks.

[wandle]

Why are you cherry picking bits of info?

'Face masks protect the wearer'. No, they ALSO protect the wearer. Many staff have been wearing masks for weeks and months now, you know, it's kinda the right and decent thing to do if you are in the high % that have no medical reason not to. And as for stating if they were happy to be mask free before last Sunday - in case you hadn't noticed, there were 33,000 positive cases yesterday, which is just the tip of the iceberg, plus much of the country is shut down. If that's not an extra push, then nothing will be.
Genuine question though - do you think that people complaining about the non/improper wearing of safety equipment should just shut up and go way?
Another question - do you not think it was a bit strange that RM only decreed that face mask were to be worn by people who were customer facing in the collections office? Why didn't they follow the lead of other companies and have this mandatory mask policy earlier?

I’m not cherry-picking.
That statement from CDC is the first I’ve seen that says masks also protect the wearer. It is a potentially huge shift in medical advice, because it means those at risk can wear one voluntarily, but more significantly, would mean those who do not wear one are not putting the wearers at risk.
I don’t think people should shut up, but they maybe should be asking why has it taken 8 MONTHS for Royal Mail to reach this decision? I suspect it’s to cover themselves, legally speaking, to say ‘we did everything we could to protect our people’, despite months and months of burying their heads in the sand

[Cucumber]

Why are you cherry picking bits of info?

'Face masks protect the wearer'. No, they ALSO protect the wearer. Many staff have been wearing masks for weeks and months now, you know, it's kinda the right and decent thing to do if you are in the high % that have no medical reason not to. And as for stating if they were happy to be mask free before last Sunday - in case you hadn't noticed, there were 33,000 positive cases yesterday, which is just the tip of the iceberg, plus much of the country is shut down. If that's not an extra push, then nothing will be.
Genuine question though - do you think that people complaining about the non/improper wearing of safety equipment should just shut up and go way?
Another question - do you not think it was a bit strange that RM only decreed that face mask were to be worn by people who were customer facing in the collections office? Why didn't they follow the lead of other companies and have this mandatory mask policy earlier?

I’m not cherry-picking.
That statement from CDC is the first I’ve seen that says masks also protect the wearer. It is a potentially huge shift in medical advice, because it means those at risk can wear one voluntarily, but more significantly, would mean those who do not wear one are not putting the wearers at risk.
I don’t think people should shut up, but they maybe should be asking why has it taken 8 MONTHS for Royal Mail to reach this decision? I suspect it’s to cover themselves, legally speaking, to say ‘we did everything we could to protect our people’, despite months and months of burying their heads in the sand

That makes no sense whatsoever.

The best protection that you, I and everyone else has in the workplace is for EVERYONE to wear a face covering and observe social distancing. Are you seriously suggesting that if I wear a mask and someone 2m away from me doesn't wear one, it's ok, as my mask will protect ME?
Masks are most effective at stopping someone breathing OUT particles into the air, it's only recently been reported in studies that wearing one can also reduce the particles you breath in, but not by a factor that allows for others to NOT wear them in at all.
A mask is a safety device with one big flaw - other people not wearing them.

If you've not already seen this, take a look. The part at the bottom about schools is probably the most relatable part to RM, or any factory setting with many people there.

https://english.elpais.com/society/2020 ... e-air.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[david1456uk]

Hi Everyone.I have worked sometime now for Samaritans and recently I have had calls regarding masks no specifics but one he/she was so distraught about getting frowned upon by not wearing a mask ( they had been raped ) ,
it was apparently the questions why arev they not wearing a mask or the "dirty " looks, another was after looking after her poorly mum all the time and they could not face the thought of putting a mask on ( mother died 12 months ago but to them it is as raw as yesterday ). All cases are different and we should not judge others . That is why the lanyard helps , lets go to their site, it was set up in 2016 " quote
Not all disabilities are visible – some are hidden and not immediately obvious, such as learning difficulties, mental health as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments. Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many people, but it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge or understand the challenges you face.
Be visible when you want to be
Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time."
this was then added regarding face coverings
Are there any exceptions to the rule?

Yes, there are some exceptions, which the government have outlined as 'reasonable' reasons for not wearing a mask. These include:

if you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
if you are travelling with or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip-reading to communicate
How does the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower face-covering card help me?

The Hidden Disabilities face-covering exempt card indicates that the wearer has a hidden disability and has a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering. Businesses who are members of the scheme are aware of our card and provide support, help, assistance or simply a little more time to those wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
sorry for copying and pasting a lot but the scheme does work the lanyard is simple .I think within royal mail if someone wears a lanyard we got to assume that they have one of the above and leave them to do their job a person with disabilities should never be discriminated against so i get one with my job by, making space , by washing hands regular and above all do not touch your face or fiddle with a mask .I am not into a debate about right or wrong regarding mask wearing I am just saying two sides to everything .Thank you .

[cobrakai]

Surely “mandatory” is everybody. From what I heard today the local mail centre is currently less than 50 percent...

A shambles if true but to be expected with the low level managers we employ.