I've been up all night crying since learning yesterday that our public sector organisation, under pressure from the union, will require all staff and customers to wear face masks.
I'm profoundly deaf. I need to lip read. I don't use sign language. It's a daily challenge asking people to remove their face mask (allowed under exemption guidelines if someone is deaf) or to write things down.
As my job is customer facing and involves working with multiple departments and out in the community visiting schools, colleges, universities, charities, all sorts of business clients, I just don't see how I can do my job at all and be able to communicate. I also have other disabilities that make social distancing difficult too.
They said they'd look into clear face masks for my team as a reasonable adjustment. Great, except as I said above, it's not just my team I work with! What about the client premises I go to visit? what about even the receptionist in our office building (not our employee). What about the train commute? even visors and perspex screens block sound and phone apps such as live transcribe are not accurate.
I've suggested permanent working from home but no response. I've suggested a change of job role (although could still encounter face masks!)
I want to quit but as a disabled person who would take me? Especially in this current climate? And what if other workplaces are the same?
I can wear a mask. Its other people's masks that cause me problems.
I have no idea what to do now :( :( :(