Can my manager make us work with no gloves for the second day now as a hotel housekeeper?

[Cookcook]

What is the name of your state?California

 

[adjusterjack]

Make you?

Bring your own.

 

[quincy]

Why does your manager want you to work without gloves?

 

[xylene]

Yes.

The hotel does not have to provide gloves, AND they can insist you not to wear them.

(I'm not sure how sensible this is as a policy, it seems dumb, but they can do it.)

 

[FlyingRon]

I'm going to potentially disagree with Xylene. It would depend on what the particular work is and why the gloves would be needed. If there is a valid health concern that would mandate the use of gloves as protective gear for the employee, then not only is the employer required to allow them, he is required to furnish them. Working with certain chemicals or handling unsanitary things are a good example.

 

[Cookcook]

I'm going to potentially disagree with Xylene. It would depend on what the particular work is and why the gloves would be needed. If there is a valid health concern that would mandate the use of gloves as protective gear for the employee, then not only is the employer required to allow them, he is required to furnish them. Working with certain chemicals or handling unsanitary things are a good example.

Yes such as bodily fluids absorbed into the sheets which are later collected by me with my bare hands as it meets with my skin cells to absorb again. From about 75 different people a day!

 

[Cookcook]

Yes such as bodily fluids absorbed into the sheets which are later collected by me with my bare hands as it meets with my skin cells to absorb again. From about 75 different people a day!

What can be done?

 

[FlyingRon]

You can point out that such protective equipment is required by California and Federal law. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with either the state or feds.

CALIFORNIA: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/complaint.htm
FEDERAL: https://www.osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html

 

[Cookcook]

You can point out that such protective equipment is required by California and Federal law. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with either the state or feds.

CALIFORNIA: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/complaint.htm
FEDERAL: https://www.osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html

I will get fired if I do?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

I will get fired if I do?

That reads like a statement but has a question mark. Did you mean "Will I get fired if I do?" or "I will get fired if I do."

If the former, how do we know? We don't know your boss.

But under Califonia law the name of the person that files the complaint is anonymous.

Under the Federal, and likely the state law, there is protection. https://www.whistleblowers.gov/complaint_page

 

[Cookcook]

That reads like a statement but has a question mark. Did you mean "Will I get fired if I do?" or "I will get fired if I do."

If the former, how do we know? We don't know your boss.

But under Califonia law the name of the person that files the complaint is anonymous.

Under the Federal, and likely the state law, there is protection. https://www.whistleblowers.gov/complaint_page

I will be fired

 

[Zigner]

If you get fired for making such a report, then you have a decent lawsuit to pursue.

 

[Cookcook]

Ya theres so much more too!

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Ya theres so much more too!

That likely isn't going to help you. You gain nothing if you start ranting to the authorities about how bad your employer is.

You've been given the cites for the laws that it sounds as if your employer is breaking. When you file your complaint with the state or federal agencies they will not be telling the employer who complained. If he finds out or you are the only person that could have made the complaint I've pointed you in the direction of the laws that protect you.

 

[xylene]

I haven't seen anything posted here that say the general duties of a housekeeper in a hotel are subject to any OSHA or California mandate requiring PPE.

Common sense is not an OSHA finding.