Sanitary masks are sold out at a retail outlet in Seoul on Feb. 25, 2020, amid escalating Wuhan coronavirus fears. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Companies that require frequent contact with customers are calling on all staff to wear protective masks as the novel coronavirus continues to spread nationwide.
In the meantime, some companies are being criticized for falling short of providing the masks to all employees while at the same time insisting that employees wear them.
Some have compared the difference in treatment between small businesses and large conglomerates.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, a local hair salon franchise has asked all stylists to wear protective masks, measure the body temperature of incoming customers, and sanitize their workplace.
Despite the instructions, however, the company did not distribute masks, leading a number of employees to complain.
“The company said everyone should get their own masks,” one employee said. “They say masks are mandatory, and they are doing nothing to support the staff.”
A local disease diagnostics company also requires all staff to wear protective masks without providing any.
“Those working at a hospital are in a better situation since they can check their health condition daily. For people like us whose job is to go door to door of each hospital, it’s bad news,” one employee said.
A considerable number of businesses with frequent contact with customers, such as those in the service, medical, and media industries, are refusing to give out masks to employees, while instructing them to wear them at all times.
It is commonplace for large conglomerates, on the other hand, to distribute masks to all staff.
A local home shopping company distributed 80 masks to employees after instructing them not to leave the office unless they wear a mask.
Another major e-commerce business placed a whole stock of masks in the company’s cafeteria and on the first floor of the building after requiring all staff to wear them.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
