Don’t argue with anti-mask customers, CDC warns businesses in new guidance
Customers upset over COVID-19 prevention policies? Don’t argue with them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns retail and service workers in a new guidance.
The health agency rolled out new recommendations Monday aimed at preventing workplace violence against workers attempting to enforce a business’ safety procedures amid the pandemic, such as mask wearing and social distancing.
Experts say employees should avoid arguing with those who refuse to follow the rules, especially when they become violent or make threats.
“Don’t attempt to force anyone who appears to be upset or violent to follow COVID-19 prevention policies or other policies or practices related to COVID-19,” the agency said.
The CDC outlined steps businesses should take instead — including training employees on conflict resolution, creating a step-by-step plan to respond to workplace violence and installing panic buttons. Employees should also have a safe place to go if they feel threatened, according to the health agency.
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, businesses have implemented certain policies and procedures to help mitigate the spread of the virus, which, as of Wednesday, has infected more than 5.7 million people in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University. With the rise in cases has also come increased reports of store workers being hit, harassed, attacked and even killed for trying to enforce their businesses’ safety practices.
In May, a Family Dollar security guard was shot dead in Michigan after telling a woman she needed to wear a mask in the store, McClatchy News previously reported. A DoorDash deliveryman in Washington had his account scrubbed by the platform after reportedly punching a restaurant manager for the same reason earlier this month.
“We take the safety of our community extremely seriously and do not tolerate any form of violent or inappropriate behavior,” a spokesperson with DoorDash told McClatchy News. “Since learning of this incident, we have permanently deactivated the Dasher from our platform and have reached out to the merchant. We have also been in touch with local law enforcement to cooperate in any ongoing investigation.”
While there’s currently no nationwide mask mandate in place, a growing number of retailers have made mask wearing a requirement, including Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Target, CVS and others.
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 8:53 AM with the headline "Don’t argue with anti-mask customers, CDC warns businesses in new guidance."