State Attorney General sends open letter about Amazon's new Corona measures



The Attorney General of 13 states and special wards in the United States has sent an open letter to Amazon, a major mail order company, and Whole Foods Market, which is a subsidiary of the supermarket chain, requesting information such as measures against new coronavirus. did. The letter has expressed strong disappointment that Amazon has fired an employee who has expressed concern about the company's antivirus protection and is seeking corrective action.

Letter to Amazon Whole Foods-Worker Protections

https://www.mass.gov/doc/letter-to-amazon-whole-foods-worker-protections



US attorneys seek Amazon data on coronavirus-linked worker deaths, infections-Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-amazon-com/us-attorneys-seek-amazon-data-on-coronavirus-linked-worker-deaths-infections-idUSKBN22O2LQ

The letter is represented by Attorney General Mora Healey of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington DC, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington are also in the list.

In March 2020, Attorney General Healy and others also had written correspondence with both Amazon and Whole Foods, and as a supplement, held a telephone conference with the representative. This letter was sent to ask for an answer because there are still unresolved issues. The contents are roughly divided into the following 7 items.

1: Health and safety, disinfection, PPE (personal protective equipment)
Under Attorney General Healy and others, PPE and disinfectants deployed at Amazon's distribution center are inadequate, social distance is not well protected, it may endanger employees It is said that a report that it is in a state has arrived. Therefore, we sought an answer detailing whether and how both companies (Amazon and Whole Foods) are compliant with federal government guidance and recommendations for COVID-19.



2: State paid sick leave law
Amazon and Whole Foods have responded in a previous document that they are complying with paid sick leave laws such as those in Massachusetts, but this time Attorney General Healey `` How do you comply? '' I asked for a document that shows.

3: Employee COVID-19 infection and death data
Both companies said they did not receive an answer as to how many of their employees were infected with COVID-19 and how many died, and are requesting a state breakdown.

4: Whole Foods disclosure to consumers
Regarding Whole Foods, there are reports of infections of multiple employees at a store in Washington DC, CBS affiliate WUSA 9 has reported 6 positive cases, and The New York Times reported 16 positive cases. Whole Foods has not reported this directly. For this reason, we are calling for reporting on what our policies and processes are for notifying consumers, the public and public health authorities as we have concerns about safety.

5: 'Retaliation' for employees
In a previous document, representatives of both companies explained that they would not '

retalize ' employees who expressed concern about measures against COVID-19, and even warned . However, there are actually reported cases of dismissals. This may be contrary to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and state laws that prohibit retaliation in all 50 US states. For this reason, especially for Amazon, a sure guarantee of 'the right of employees not to be retaliated' and an investigation into the allegation that there was retaliation, reinstatement of the dismissed person, etc. It is required to take measures.

6: Unlimited unpaid leave
The two companies explained in a written reply to the state that they 'give their employees unlimited unpaid leave until the end of April.' However, Attorney General Healey has called for extended unpaid leave as long as the federal and state declarations of emergency continue.



7: Paid leave
Both companies have made policy changes to give employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms leave, and the Attorney General and others have stated that they would like to applaud this point. Expressed disappointment that the story 'applying a more generous paid leave policy' was not fulfilled.

At the end of the letter, Attorney General Healey severely pointed out, 'As a company, employers are required to take the utmost steps to protect employees and customers and not make matters worse.' is.

in Note, Posted by logc_nt