Wibu to not wear a mask at work? *Possibly triggering*

[Turbotastic]

I have gone back to work recently but work in an area where I am not customer facing and so I'm not required to wear a mask. The management have noticed they are a bit short staffed in another area that is customer facing and masks are now required. They have asked me if I would be willing to be trained and help out in this area, which I am fine with as I've done it before many times in previous jobs.

My only issue is with the mask wearing. I can handle wearing them for very short periods in shops etc but sustained mask wearing is too much for me. There have been many times where I've had to just abandon my shopping and walk out because I couldn't handle having my face covered for one second longer.

I was in an abusive relationship many years ago and one of the things he did was to push me face down on the floor and lean or kneel on my back. Sometimes he would twist my arms behind me and threaten to break them. To this day the thing about it that terrifies me most is the memory of not being able to breathe - I can still remember the feeling of the carpet fibres pressing into my face and getting hot from my breath. I remember the desperation, the panic and inhaling fibres from the carpet, how they scratched my throat and made me cough. I never wear scarves or anything around my face and neck for this reason. In addition, I was raped last year and at one point he choked me. All those same feelings came flooding back and I felt like I was going to die. I'm shaking now just talking about it.

Obviously my reasons for not mask wearing are very intimate and personal, not something I really want to discuss with my boss. How do I explain why I can't wear one? I would just refuse to help out in the customer facing area but I'd already agreed to do it before the mask wearing rules came in and I want to be seen as being a team player. WWYD?

I have a low risk lifestyle as I have no elderly relatives and very few friends I socialise with. If I'm not at work I'm usually alone. I appreciate that Covid rules are in place for a reason and I understand why we have them but I just can't do it for long periods. I have panic attacks where I'll be shaking, sweating and crying. I've been on the verge of passing out before. It sounds so melodramatic but it's one of the things that really really triggers me.

Oh op I'm so sorry you've been through all that.
Coukd you wear a visor and would they accept that?
If not you need to raise that you have valid reasons with your line manager and that these are personal and highly sensitive. If you are asked to elaborate maybe ak if you could have someone there on the discussion with you who will help?

I’d just say that you’re unable to wear a mask for mental health reasons, but you’re still willing to work in that area. They don’t need any more explanations.

Visors aren't sufficient - they protect the wearer against splatter, but do nothing for wearer or this early around her re exhalations (they just go round the edge)

I think the best thing you can do is decline the role because you cannot wear a mask, and ask them to deploy someone else into that role (you could perhaps offer to cover other back-room duties where absence of mask is not an issue)

Can you say something like "I'm happy to help out but, for very personal reasons, I can only wear a mask for very short periods of time."

Then you still look willing but have explained about the mask.

You dont need to explain why, just say you cant so unfortunately are not able to help anymore.

I have similar reasons to you for not being able to wear a mask, I can't go shopping at all. I think a visor would be a good option as suggested by a PP. Sorry for everything you've been through

Just say you're exempt. They're not supposed to ask what the reason is. Or if you're willing to be more open say due to PTSD related to abuse?

Just tell them that you are more than happy to help and be trained in that area, but that for very personal reasons which you really would rather not go into you will be unable to wear a face mask for the required length of time.

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Today 13:06VikingVolva

Visors aren't sufficient - they protect the wearer against splatter, but do nothing for wearer or this early around her re exhalations (they just go round the edge)
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Agree but it may solve the problem I that her employer may accept it without further discussion.

I'm not sure if they will let me wear a visor as they have provided face masks for all the staff that are all the same, certain colour etc. It's part of the uniform now. Having said that, I think I would be ok with a visor as it doesn't physically touch my face and doesn't get hot as you breathe which is a big part of why I find them so difficult.

I can't wear a visor so if you can I would try one out before you suggest it.

Your reason means you are exempt from wearing a mask, so you would not be unreasonable to not wear one. It's why the exemption is there, so that people who genuinely cannot wear one don't have to.

How awful. You just need to say you are exempt. You do not need to explain why...

I would just tell them that due to past trauma you are unable to wear a mask for long periods of time without a feeling of panic. You could then say you would be more than happy to wear a visor and leave it with them.

Its understandable why you can't wear a mask, can you just tell your employer you're exempt without giving reasons? Failing that what about something like this? Its supposed to keep the mask away from your mouth