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Covid

Eating out - will you want staff to wear face masks?

215 replies

daisydalrymple · 27/06/2020 13:53

I’m just wondering what people’s feelings are towards bar and waiting on staff wearing masks, once pubs and restaurants reopen? Would you prefer they did or didn’t wear a protective face mask?

I work in hospitality, we haven’t reopened yet, but our bosses have told us we will not be wearing face masks, as they want our customers to enjoy the true pub experience they love us for, with great food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere, which they don’t think will be possible if staff are wearing masks.

They’re working on other recommended safety measures to be in place, staff having temp taken on arrival, hand sanitising on arrival and throughout shift, social distancing with tables etc.

Most of my colleagues are relieved they don’t have to wear a mask, whilst a few are extremely concerned that they can’t. Whilst I appreciate the company want things to get back to normal for our customers, it’s obvious things aren’t ‘normal’ as they were pre-lockdown. I’m wondering if they’re right in thinking customers won’t want a mask wearing server, or if people would prefer the reassurance of knowing people carrying drinks and food have their mouth and nose covered??

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LilBlackLab · 27/06/2020 13:56

Firstly, what will your employers do if on arrival,2 or 3 staff members have a raised temp? Close up? Obviously send them home but won’t that leave you dangerously short staffed?

Masks....if staff want to wear them then that should be no issue.....it’s not up to employers to force or refuse this, should be personal preference!

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Nihiloxica · 27/06/2020 14:00

I would prefer no masks as a customer, but I also think staff who want to wear masks should be let.

If I knew I was in an establishment that was not allowing staff to wear masks, I would not be happy about it.

So basically, I would prefer no masks, if and only if it is the free choice of staff not to wear them.

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Pertella · 27/06/2020 14:02

Makes no odds to me. I dont think employers should prevent workers from wearing masks if they want to. Assuming the worker is using the mask correctly and observing proper hygiene of course.

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DamitJanet · 27/06/2020 14:04

I would prefer that we had a requirement to wear masks in inside spaces like restaurants and shops so would be happy, and encouraged, if staff were wearing face coverings.

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ChinWhiskers · 27/06/2020 14:05

I prefer mask and face sheild on staff.
It's almost like everyones forgotten how serious this is.

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Whathastheworldbecome · 27/06/2020 14:05

Surely employers would be open to A Health and Safety lawsuit if they refused to allow or direct staff to wear masks and they got sick? What if a staff member dies?

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Ted27 · 27/06/2020 14:05

Many of our local cafes are using visors made by another local business
They are much more comfortable for the wearer and the customer can see their faces - much better all round

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Drivingdownthe101 · 27/06/2020 14:06

My personal preference as a customer would be no masks. Even seeing someone else wear them makes me feel panicky and claustrophobic.
However I don’t believe anyone should have the right to wear one removed, if they want to wear one. Staff should be given the choice.

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MiniTheMinx · 27/06/2020 14:06

In one way I'd prefer any measures to be less obvious to me, because I would feel more relaxed. If I perceive obvious measures such as plastic aprons, gloves, visors, plastic cubicles, face masks and people behaving in ways that seem overly cautious I would feel uncomfortable. But then the opposite would be true, if I felt no precautions were being taken to keep me safe I would feel afraid.

Sorry, that's not much help. I'm not able to articulate my feelings or to reduce arbitrary feelings into opinions.

I think your company is correct in trying to create the relaxed welcoming environment people expect. Without that I think it would be a miserable experience. So, maybe they have to find a way of minimizing risk, having processes that reassure but not convey fear.

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SkelingtonArgument · 27/06/2020 14:06

I don’t care either way but I think staff should be allowed to choose for themselves.
Of course customers won’t be wearing masks while they are eating & drinking

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daisydalrymple · 27/06/2020 14:06

I’m genuinely just wondering what customers opinions are on serving staff wearing masks or not. I’d be quite happy to be served by somebody wearing a mask, but just wanted a feel for whether people wouldn’t find it as relaxing or would find it more reassuring.

Staff with a raised temp would be sent home, as in any other business who will be checking temp before staff start work.

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JustaScratch · 27/06/2020 14:07

I'm in Spain - all the wait staff are wearing masks here. Seems very sensible. I think your boss is being out of order not letting people wear masks if they want to.

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redwoodmazza · 27/06/2020 14:09

I would prefer bar and waiting staff to wear masks. Just seems more hygienic to me.

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ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 27/06/2020 14:09

It should be up to the individual staff members I think. You shouldn't be forced to be exposed, in order to keep your job.

Clear visors are much more relaxed and friendly than facemasks. I'd prefer to see my server's face, but keep them safe.

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daisydalrymple · 27/06/2020 14:10

Sorry that reply of mine was to the first reply. There’s been a lot more replies since then. Thank you. It’s interesting to me to get a feel for what people think. Obviously customers won’t be wearing masks to eat or drink, but if I was going out to eat myself, i would be fine if serving staff wore masks. Another friend working in a local cafe will be wearing a visor.

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Rebelwithallthecause · 27/06/2020 14:10

I wouldn’t want them to wear masks unless they really wanted tob

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Whathastheworldbecome · 27/06/2020 14:11

I know we aren’t in the same boat,

But Florida and Texas have just reported 9000 new cases in 24 hours. Texas now closing all it’s bars - again

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GreenCoxing · 27/06/2020 14:11

I think visors would be more sensible. I can see masks getting very hot and uncomfortable as staff have to move round/hot kitchens

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Marmaladey · 27/06/2020 14:12

How useful are the masks if not proper medical grade? Isn't the idea that my mask protects you and yourself protects me? If customers aren't masked, how protected are the staff?

I do think telling staff they can't wear masks is shit though. I'm just not sure masks are that useful.

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ChaoticCatling · 27/06/2020 14:12

I'd find it very off-putting myself. I find it harder to understand what people are saying when they are wearing a face covering, and I find it difficult not being able to see facial expressions when speaking to someone. In a takeaway I wouldn't be bothered, but in a pub or a restaurant the service and atmosphere are part of what you are paying for.

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Marmaladey · 27/06/2020 14:12

Your mask protects me, not yourself.

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IsadoraQuagmire · 27/06/2020 14:13

Everyone should be wearing masks in confined spaces.

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Dadnotamum72 · 27/06/2020 14:15

Isn't mask wearing a barrier to isolating in track and trace, if all the staff do not wear one then if one gets covid the whole lot would have to isolate but wouldn't if wearing masks?

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ChaoticCatling · 27/06/2020 14:17

I think visors would be more sensible. These are used by some colleagues in my workplace and their speech is quite muffled (worse than masks), I find them difficult to understand and often have to ask them to repeat something. Different types may be better though.

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LilBlackLab · 27/06/2020 14:18

Sort of begs the question then doesn’t it.....if people are anxious and uncomfortable around food....serving and eating it..... then keep away from restaurants?

Not really fair that the staff are exposed to people eating,opening and closing mouths, part eaten food left on plates..... this is a big covid danger....close exposure to bodily fluids

I’m not in that much of a hurry for a pub ploughman’s or a Nando’s!

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