People with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law could ask the Team Member Services to be exempted from this rule
Casino giant Boyd Gaming has updated its grooming policy, a measure that, at first glance, seems to prohibit workers from wearing masks. The policy change was scrutinized by casino workers who accused the company of politicizing its workers’ health.
Masks Are a No-Go Without Permission
Las Vegas Locally just shared a memo posted in the Main Street Station casino which provides an insight into the new policy. According to the memo, “team members should not wear a mask” unless they have special permission. The document further says that people with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law could ask the Team Member Services to be exempted from this rule.
In the meantime, consistent with the CDC recommendations, Boyd asked people with COVID-19 to remain at home and keep away from others until their condition improves. Those who are resuming work after contracting COVID would be allowed to wear a mask for the first five days of their return.
The memo justified the decision with the CDC’s recent confirmation that masks are not usually recommended in non-healthcare settings. It also noted that face coverings “impair the ability to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere” for the guests.
In the meantime, the memo also encouraged good hygiene, which has been proven to inhibit the spread of disease.
The Policy Sparked Outrage
Needless to say, many workers were outraged at the news. People across social media questioned the decision and whether workers who get sick because of this new prohibition would get paid leave once they contract a virus. Others wondered why masks couldn’t be a personal choice and slammed Boyd for its, as some called it, “heinous decision” to cater to conspiracy theorists and COVID-deniers rather than its own employees.
Speaking of which, there were also those who praised the new policy, claiming that all kinds of face coverings should be prohibited, just like in banks. While some suggested that sick people should just stay at home, others went as far as calling medical masks a “psyop” or saying that they feel uncomfortable talking with someone wearing a covering.
A blogger for gambling news outlet Casino.org, later provided some clarification, saying that the memo does not make it clear that any employee, whether they have a disability or not, can request to wear a mask and receive approval from the HR department.
The blogger claimed that the policy is a guideline and not a prohibition.
