Can Employers Require Employees to Wear Face Masks? | Workest

The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States created a rush to implement safety protocols. Face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer are high in demand. In the early weeks of the breakout, Americans were widely left to fend for themselves when it came to gathering correct information and the suggested PCE supplies.

As an employer it can be difficult to navigate what exactly is allowed when it comes to protective requirements during the coronavirus pandemic. This resource lays out what you need to know. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals wear cloth masks in public, where social distancing measure are difficult to maintain. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has gone further than a recommendation in their guidance that indicates that an employer may require employees to wear PPE, such as a face mask, to reduce transmission. The best way for employers to enforce safety precautions is to develop written policies, and communicate those policies with both employees and customers. It is very important for employers to clearly explain their policies and update these policies as situations change.