It’s permitted, not recommended, and certainly not promoted.
That’s essentially the Wegmans stance on employees wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, the company dropped a ban forbidding workers from wearing masks on the job. Internally, there has been a deafening silence in the days since.
I can’t speak for all employees, but I have not received an email about the new policy. Nor is there a posting about the change on employee bulletin areas in the breakroom or next to timeclocks at my store.
A brief video about how to use the masks is accessible, with some searching, on the company’s Knowledgenet, a computer-based learning program. According to the video, employees are restricted to the following types of masks:
Overall, the video is hardly a ringing endorsement of usage. In fact, the overall message seems to be: “We’d really rather you didn’t.”
Workers are obviously getting the message. So far, I’ve seen just one Wegmans employee wearing a mask. (My experience may differ from those who work day shifts.)
It’s possible that company leadership has sound reasons for not endorsing usage. But so far, the only rationale provided is a warning from the Wegmans medical adviser that masks are often misused.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control has changed its position because of increasing evidence that people can spread the disease when they’re not yet showing symptoms. The primary benefit of masks is believed to be protection of others, which would include not only employees but customers.
Other retailers such as Target have not only encouraged use, but are providing the masks.
What’s up, Wegmans?