Asking customers to wear masks

[climbingmonkey24]

Throughout the Pandemic I haven’t asked customers to wear masks (we wear them) but I have enforced social distancing.

However, things are getting real bad. Cases, deaths, and hospitalizations are rising rapidly. What are your thoughts on asking people to wear masks?

I think it’s a double edge sword. On one hand it’s the right thing to do to try and keep each other safe, on the other there are so many people who act like this virus is a hoax or don’t want to take precautions or don’t believe in masks you might lose some business from customers who don’t want to be bothered with your precautions.

Personally I don’t want to do business with anyone who doesn’t respect what I’m doing or the fact that this virus is a very real threat not just for us during appointments and work operations but also going home to our families, etc.

Have you encountered anyone who neglects precautions? What do you do?

I always wear a mask and socially distance, but what are your thoughts on asking clients to wear a mask just like a store owner would ask their customers? Just because we are outside doesn’t mean there is no risk.

 

[ATH]

Risk of outdoor spread with short encounters while keeping distance is extremely low. This is not downplaying the severity of the virus as a whole, just that short outdoor encounters (especially when 6'+ apart) isn't where it is spreading.

Take a couple extra steps back. Avoid going into houses. Keep visits as quick as possible.

Back in the spring when we first learning about Covid, I'd tell people "To avoid exposure for either of us, I'm going to ask that we not meet face to face. If you can be in your house looking out your window while we talk on the phone, we can figure out what I can do to help".

Nobody had a problem with that and I don't think we had any miscommunication issues doing it that way.

 

[ATH]

having said that, I think it is appropriate to tell them before the appointment "Our company policy is to wear masks and protect our employees by asking customers to wear theirs when meeting"

 

[evo]

Enforce it. A client exposed me on a consultation, I was masked they were not. Mostly social distanced and 100% outside. Cost me 3 days in a tent, and two work days, the bill for my testing was $1300 which insurance denied then later covered with some work and phone calls

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When I go to the tire shop or mechanics I'm not allowed access behind the desk in the shop, even if I had PPE on. Its their 'work zone' and its posted.

Blending ATH's advice into your gab from #3 above is good.

 

[Cereal_Killer]

I did a job earlier this summer, June or so, the lady called a few days in advance and said they had covid and we could cancel and reschedule or if we wanted to do it still she would stay in her house. We said that was fine and did it. She honored her word and never came out, spoke by phone with her looking out the window when we needed to communicate. All was good.

Later that week realize we're missing a tool and stop by her place to look and wouldn't you know it she has a window company there doing windows INSIDE her house. Leaving walking down her driveway I ask the window guys if she mentioned it to them, they say no so I inform them, it was the right thing to do. I don't expect her to be a repeat customer but fuck it. That was fucked up on her part to do that to them

 

[ATH]

I've been saying all season "I've always been glad to have an outside job...I feel especially blessed with that this year!"

Stay outside. Keep distance. Wearing a mask. Don't let up your guard, but let up on the anxiety. Our work environment combined with common sense sanitization really is a great place to be.

Do you drive separate vehicles to each work site? Spread among employees within a vehicle (mask or not) is a far greater risk than outdoor short meetings with clients...

 

[metaspencer]

I keep doing what I've been doing: mask up when I know I'll be talking to a customer AND keep my distance. But when people sneak up on me and wanna talk, I usually just have a neck wrap to pull up (not a proper mask) and try to keep my distance. It's tough being in someone else's space as they have norms and customs that (sometimes) cramp my style. Just like I don't wanna die climbing a tree, I don't wanna get sick or get my family sick because I'm talking to a customer.