Staff in Asda not wearing masks

[HermioneMakepeace]

I went to Asda yesterday and loads of staff were not wearing masks. How is this allowed? I am very wary and wear a mask at all times as we are shielding. I had a problem at the self-serve checkout and the staff member who came to sort it out was inches away from me, maskless.

Does anybody know why Asda thinks this is OK, especially when we’re in Tier 4?

Tbh I wouldn’t give it a second thought as I’m surrounded by hundreds of people a day without masks as I’m a teacher.

Not having a moan btw, just saying I’m so used to seeing people not in masks it actually wouldn’t shock me.

@motherrunner do you know if you’re going back to school next week?

Might be better to have asked at Asda at the time and spoken to a manager. Maybe some of the staff are exempt?

From the last communication from my Head (last Weds) we are back on Tuesday for all years. Monday we have an Inset to be trained on mass testing. Could all change though and am used to last minute alterations!

@Sparklingbrook I had a child with me, I’d just bought a huge item that I was carrying as I didn’t have a quid for the trolley and it was packed. Otherwise I would have totally done a Karen and demanded to speak to the manager.

If they were exempt, but I’m sorry, they should not be interacting so closely with customers.

I didn't think shop staff have to wear masks. They certainly don't in my local Tesco.

@motherrunner how do you feel about it, if you don’t kind me asking? We have a family member who works in a school and they live with a very vulnerable person. We’re all really worried about it.

Staff at our one stop corner shop are wearing then under chin and serving people. Drives me mad

@KatherineJaneway that’s crazy! They come into contacts with hundreds of customers every day. Surely they should be made to wear them?

@HermioneMakepeace Don’t mind at all but I don’t want to derail your thread! Since we broke up for Christmas I’ve actually been worse in terms of anxiety than when I was at school - insomnia, panic attacks etc. However I felt like this I’m August and when I was back at school I fell into a state of acceptance despite my school closing fully on a few occasions and not being open to all years since end of Sept due to our numbers. I am worried about only testing close contacts rather than isolating but I keep telling myself I got through one term, just need to get through the rest of winter and hopefully spring will be different.

@KatherineJaneway

I didn't think shop staff have to wear masks. They certainly don't in my local Tesco.

I’m pretty sure this is correct. Staff can wear them if they wish, it’s mandatory for customers.

Staff in my aldi are like this: ones on the shop floor. Masks nowhere to be seen on some, some around their chins, others under their nose.

I get it they are a pain to wear, I work in a hospital. But they are pointless if not worn correctly or at all. Some are probably a bit blasé having worked through the pandemic, some even having had it already.

Please don’t use the phrase “done a Karen”. It is misogynistic and sexist.

[quote HermioneMakepeace]@Sparklingbrook I had a child with me, I’d just bought a huge item that I was carrying as I didn’t have a quid for the trolley and it was packed. Otherwise I would have totally done a Karen and demanded to speak to the manager.

If they were exempt, but I’m sorry, they should not be interacting so closely with customers.[/quote]
I don't like the expression 'done a Karen' but you could have rung when you got home? The Manager would be able to give you your answer, not sure anyone on here will know...

Nope mandatory for staff unless behind a screen. Government changed in September.

@ChasingRainbows19

Nope mandatory for staff unless behind a screen. Government changed in September.

Ah, that’s interesting to know.

Shop staff can be exempt from wearing a mask in exactly the same way that customers can be presumably?

@Sparklingbrook

Shop staff can be exempt from wearing a mask in exactly the same way that customers can be presumably?

Then they shouldn’t be customer-facing.

PS apologies for using the term ‘Karen’.

What about back in March when everyone was rushing out to the supermarkets and panic buying? No masks or screens, no social distancing or limited numbers in store, staff had to just get on with it and hope for the best.

Why don't you take it up with Asda? If they are exempt (and we don't know) then how many none customer facing roles are there in a supermarket that they could do?
Isn't this the sort of thing Twitter is for, complaining to large companies?

@lunalucie

What about back in March when everyone was rushing out to the supermarkets and panic buying? No masks or screens, no social distancing or limited numbers in store, staff had to just get on with it and hope for the best.

That's very true. When everyone was panic buying loo roll and pasta there was no PPE or anything back then. How times have changed.

@ChasingRainbows19

Nope mandatory for staff unless behind a screen. Government changed in September.

Yes, you are right. I did some digging:

"Face coverings must be worn by retail, leisure and hospitality staff working in any indoor area that is open to the public and where they’re likely to come into contact with a member of the public. This includes:

shops
supermarkets
bars
pubs
restaurants
cafes
banks
estate agents
post offices
public areas of hotels and hostels"

@Sparklingbrook I’ve done enough of that this week, trust me 😂