Following criticism regarding its recent policy that barred employees from wearing face masks without a doctor’s note, MOM’s Organic Market seems to be revising its stance on this issue, at least in part.
Earlier in the week, Baltimore Fishbowl reported on the new directive, which prohibited store staff from wearing masks unless they provided a doctor’s note for an exception. Employees depicted the execution of this policy as erratic, varying significantly from one store location to another.
Recently, managers at MOM’s Organic Market reportedly received an internal email that has yet to be shared with the store employees. An anonymous source disclosed this information about the face mask policy to Baltimore Fishbowl.
The email outlines how store managers are instructed to communicate both internally and to the public regarding the mask policy. Notably, it includes a section labeled “New Dress Code Policy clarification,” featuring a sub-item that states, “Mask communication,” which suggests that the “message below may be used if needed in stores.”
In the email, the company’s rationale for the mask ban is reiterated, emphasizing the importance of fostering “face-to-face connection” between customers and staff. The communication specifies that this ban is part of an updated dress code aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience.
Additionally, the email outlines exceptions to the mask ban. Employees are now allowed to wear masks if they have been exposed to an illness, are exhibiting symptoms, or wish to protect an immunocompromised family member. Notably, the message clarifies that “No documentation, including a doctor’s note, is required for employees to use these exceptions. In those circumstances, MOM’s store managers and Employee Experience team are here to support.”
Hanna, an employee of MOM’s Organic Market who spoke with Baltimore Fishbowl for the previous article covering the controversy, expressed her dissatisfaction with the wording of the clarification provided.
“They’re indicating that employees don’t have to obtain a doctor’s note to wear a mask,” Hanna stated. “This stems from a footnote in the original policy, which mentions that on a case-by-case basis, with manager approval, employees might TEMPORARILY wear a face mask. They have shifted the responsibility away from ADA accommodations and placed it on individual managers and their discretion, which is actually worse.”
“They are being very evasive with this clarification because they experienced so much negative publicity, but the core policy remains unchanged, and the dress code still stands,” Hanna concluded.
Baltimore Fishbowl reached out again to MOM’s CEO and President, Scott Nash, along with Hampden store General Manager Joe Hurley, regarding the clarification email, but no response has been received from either individual at this time.
