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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Shop staff exempt from social distancing?

52 replies

Xedd · 19/06/2020 10:05

I ventured to homesense on a retail park, fully expecting to queue and follow whatever new guidelines were in place, but to be safe.

I was given a lecture on the rules before entering, by someone who had obviously been told to do it as part of their job, but didn't really understand the reasons for what they were saying or the inconsistencies in how they were behaving. I watched her from back in the queue lean way into people's personal space and speak directly into their faces about the need to sanitise their hands!

Inside, the stairs had been split in half by tape, but were physically not two metres wide, so only really useable for people going in one direction at a time, just like in a house. Their ingenious response to this? A sign or markings declaring them one way only? A stop/go system like temporary traffic lights narrowing the road? Sort of. But not from a distance. This was a member of staff without any additional preventative mask standing on the yellow line in the middle of a 1.5 metre space, forcing people to basically brush shoulders with him as they passed. A teenaged boy gesturing and saying it was 'safe' for me to use the stairs because nobody was coming the other way, oblivious to that fact that he was in a prime position to pass on anything he picked up to everyone who went upstairs, connecting everyone who had queued at a distance around the building and dodged each other inside.

I left instead and I asked the manager if he was really supposed to be in the middle of the stairs and she just looked at me like I was being dramatic. Why are people who apparently are following social distancing properly happy to cut corners? If he'd been serving on a till, facing a great many number of strangers in quick succession through throughout the day (like on the stairs), he'd have been behind a screen for everyone's safety according to company policy.

OP posts:
borntohula · 19/06/2020 11:57

Oh dear, this one backfired didn't it OP?

starfish4 · 19/06/2020 12:01

The first person was obviously extremely inconsiderate. You have to assume the second person had been asked to stand there by their employer - they've obviously got no consideration for their staff's welfare if this is the case. This member of staff is probably being paid the minimum wage and desperately needs the job. I think it'll be comsulsory for staff and customers to wear masks/vizors before long.

I would say not all shops are like this. I work in retail, and my employers are totally supportive. Masks, vizors, gloves, lots of extra hand washing and plenty of santizer. We've been told if a customer won't give us the distance we need to help them, then to politely refuse - I haven't had the nerve to do this, so have had to hold my nerve and keep asking them to step back further. Also, been warned about keeping our distance with colleagues/customers as we don't want to the store that ends up being mentioned on social media.

Personally, I don't think I'd go there again for sometime. I don't blame you shopping there, but it's not essential.

Choccyp1g · 19/06/2020 12:03

My worry is for the teenager, who will have EVERYONE passing within far less than 2 metres. Surely management can see that it doesn't make sense

Iwalkinmyclothing · 19/06/2020 12:05

It doesn't sound like you are ready to go to shops yet, tbh.

SomewhereEast · 19/06/2020 12:07

Honestly I've been out & about shopping a bit this week and I think they're doing their best. For me the big issue is that the 2m rule is basically unworkable once society starts to reopen at all. Round our way almost everyone seems to have quietly accepted that, while still trying to space out. But if you want a rigid 2m at all times life than maybe - and I genuinely don't mean this snarkily - stick to shopping online as much as possible?

TheCanterburyWhales · 19/06/2020 12:09

Our shops have been open for about a month now. Smaller shops one in one out, larger shops a few at a time. Extra staff monitoring and giving gloves (in help yourself food shops) . Nobody allowed in without a mask.

The retail staff are amazing. And to quote (wrongly) Christopher Ecclestone, so are we.

All members of staff need right now are busybody customers who didn't even need to be there, reporting them for wrong-doing.

It's very easy. If the member of staff is in the middle of the stairs, it's YOUR responsibility not to get too close to them!

DappledThings · 19/06/2020 12:10

@Hobbesmanc

Honestly, just dont go to the shops. If you are that concerned then you are able to get everything on line without getting yourself so stressed. Leave the shops to those of us with a little common sense. The 2 metre rule is so arbitrary at best. Transmission is very unlikely just by walking closely to someone.

I really dont know what people expect- surely you remember what shops looked like before- they weren't designed to accommodate social distancing. And retail staff are only human too.

Just stay home

All of this.
SomewhereEast · 19/06/2020 12:10

Also as I understand it, the big risk factor is prolonged close proximity in enclosed spaces.....so Tube carriages in rush hour are bad news, just passing someone in a shop much less so. I really really wish that we'd started out with simpler more sustainable rules in the first place (1m not 2 say), but we didn't, so here we are

Jaxhog · 19/06/2020 12:23

This is why I won't be going to the shops just yet. If staff, never mind other customers, aren't follow the (very simple) rules, then it's an absolute farce. Just wait until the bars, pubs, and restaurants open; they'll be even worse.

I can just see the second wave coming...

Artykitty666 · 19/06/2020 12:38

I agree with previous posters. People can socially distance but there is a limit. How do you think heavy items of furniture in these shops/schools etc got cleared from the buildings to make space. I sure as hell didn't carry them all myself. I, like most people socially distance to the best of my ability but the reality is those members of staff will have had to come within 2m to simply make a space in which you can peruse home items at your leisure.

Rosebel · 19/06/2020 12:58

Oh well at least it's not another school one. Although judging by some of the threads lately I think retail staff are becoming judged just like teachers.

LittleOgres · 19/06/2020 13:07

This will probably go down like a lead balloon...
I'm a nurse and we don't socially distance at work.
We do when we have to, but the minute management turn their backs, we are at it again.
We sit together at lunch, we stand around and chat, we are wedged against each other in the changing room.
I think we have all just presumed we will inevitably get it?
And then I leave work and am one of the few still socially distancing and sticking to the 'rules'.
Retail staff are doing their best. Its not easy.

DappledThings · 19/06/2020 13:13

I'm a nurse and we don't socially distance at work.
We do when we have to, but the minute management turn their backs, we are at it again.
We sit together at lunch, we stand around and chat, we are wedged against each other in the changing room.

I don't blame you at all. There must be elements of your work where you have to be in close proximity to patients and to other staff. Insisting on then sotting apart at lunch just seems pointless to me.

I haven't ever expected the staff at the nursery my DC attend to be distancing from each other either. They are at work together, they are already mixing and mixing with the children so what would be the point.

Ditto for shop staff.

ItsInTheShed · 19/06/2020 13:16

Interesting that op hasn’t been back isn’t it!?

majesticallyawkward · 19/06/2020 13:18

Unless the lad on the stairs was licking the face of everyone passing him there is a very minimal risk of any transmission.

2m distancing isn't practical in most spaces, and is arbitrary anyway. Briefly passing someone isn't an issue. If you're that concerned about keeping a strict 2m I would suggest you don't go to shops.

Xedd · 19/06/2020 13:26

I'm happy to let anyone get on with their jobs and wasn't rude to anyone as some have experienced.

I know the shop is not classed essential, that's why it was closed until recently. Not that it really matters, but I didn't want a candle or photoframe. I did need some spare bedding for a relative who has left her husband; we couldn't get any delivered on the day. I didn't see the point in queuing for ages outside a supermarket just for this, and in fact the shop itself wasn't very busy. I could avoid other people, except the staff who made it impossible.

These non essential shops are only supposed to open if social distancing is in place, for everyone's benefit, not just mine. It is hypocritical to say I can't wander freely and must follow their one way system on thr floor, but then brush past staff to access another part of the shop. I don't object to him being there and working, but placing himself halfway up the bloody stairs in what would be right in the way for no reason under normal circumstances and giving nobody a chance of being physically distant while there's still a virus in circulation.

My point is, individual companies have been allowed to carry out a risk assessment and the general public are expected to do things their way, but we can't trust them to have common sense.

OP posts:
LittleOgres · 19/06/2020 14:28

Thats exactly it Dappled!

MadameButterface · 19/06/2020 14:42

@Rosebel

Oh well at least it's not another school one. Although judging by some of the threads lately I think retail staff are becoming judged just like teachers.
Yes, i quite agree, there seems to be a spate of threads from people who are utterly shocked that this world changing global pandemic has, er, changed the world, and that organisations are struggling to adapt, and that going to places and doing things isn’t quite the same any more. I’m a hairdresser and i’m gearing up for a similar kicking when salons reopen, won’t that be fun.

i just posted this article about average covid death rates per occupation on another thread where there was lots of huffing about retail workers and it’s a very interesting read. It seems low paid non medical frontline workers’ moment in the sun is over now and everyone’s gone from clapping them on the doorstep to treating them like shit on their shoes again, how heartening.

KaptenKrusty · 19/06/2020 14:47

Really - that’s just the reality of shopping at the moment! Just don’t go - you made a choice to go to a shop where there will be loads of people and some narrow walk ways where you have to get close to people - if you don’t want to do that just stay home 🙄

Redolent · 19/06/2020 14:48

The same people saying ‘you don’t need to be in Homesense!!’ will be the same ones bemoaning store closures, redundancies, and sustained drops in retail figures and consumer spending.

People need to feel comfortable and safe enough to shop in these places. and not just to shop, but to browse at leisure. If the people with money simply stay home, don’t be surprised if the economy doesn’t recover.

Redolent · 19/06/2020 14:55

But yes OP you should definitely wear a mask. Take some responsibility for your own safety. The cloth ones with an extra pocket for a HEPA filter are excellent and affordable (£5)

The UK is very much an outlier in not mandating then inside stores.

ohoneohtwo · 19/06/2020 15:02

You know what, maybe just get a real ass grip. The reality for these shop staff is shit right now.

Either go or don't go, but do t be that person that picks on the failings of another and keeps it so fresh in their mind as to bring it to Mumsnet later in the hope of lots of head nodders.

Every single person isn't going to get it right every single time. If tour concern for your health of that great, stay the fuck at home. If not, maybe apply some thinking.

InspectorCludo · 19/06/2020 15:06

I used the self service till the other day and when it inevitably asked for a member of staff I looked around but before I had a chance to move the assistant came, leant across me and swiped a barcode.
I didn’t see her coming and our faces were so close. I had a mask on. She didn’t.
Must admit it did annoy me. Why didn’t she just speak to warn me she was coming and then I would have happily stepped back for her protection and mine.

madamehooch · 19/06/2020 19:57

I had a customer moan about paying 10p for a bag today .......

ItsInTheShed · 19/06/2020 22:30

What did the management say when you approached them about this @Xedd?

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