Employers have observed an increasing lack of respect in the workplace, including so-called mask shaming—insulting colleagues who, out of concern over COVID-19, continue to wear masks.
"Many people have decided that, either having had COVID or receiving the vaccine, no further precautions are needed. However, there are others who for many reasons still choose to wear masks and clean their hands frequently," said Katherine Dudley Helms, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Columbia, S.C.
"Employers should communicate to their employees the expectation that either choice is valid and should be respected," Helms said. "It may be a very good time for employers to address the overall expectation of respect in the workplace."
She stated that, "We, as employment attorneys, are seeing more issues generally with regard to respect in the workplace, or, more accurately, a lack of respect."
Different Forms of Mask Shaming
Mask shaming can take many different forms from staring to eye rolling or asking, " 'Why do you have that on, COVID is over?' " Helms noted.
"I still wear a mask, and I recently attended a meeting with about 10 people. The host looked at me in front of everyone and asked if I wanted everyone to put on a mask. I know she was being gracious, but it was unnecessary," she said.
Acts of mask shaming can run the gamut from rude to passive aggressive, said Cindy-Ann Thomas, an attorney with Littler in Charlotte, N.C. It may include an employee telling a colleague, "I can't...
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