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In-N-Out Burger is banning employees from wearing masks in five states to “encourage clear and effective communication” and “show our employees’ smiles,” according to a memo leaked online.
The West Coast chain, known for its uncluttered menu of burgers and fries and retro decor, said the rule would be extended to stores and utilities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah unless a worker showed a medical certificate before. Violators face disciplinary action ranging “up to and including termination,” according to the policy, which goes into effect next month.
A separate memo told employees in Oregon and California that the chain would only allow store-supplied N95 masks in the workplace.
“We believe this policy will also help promote clear and effective communication both with our customers and among our employees,” the memo reads.
In-N-Out Burger did not respond to a request made through its media relations website. A customer service rep confirmed the details of both memos.
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It’s the latest case in which In-N-Out has sparked controversy over coronavirus precautions. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the chain’s only San Francisco location was temporarily closed after allowing indoor dining without proof of vaccination, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
In nearby Contra Costa County, five sites were closed instead of meeting the county’s immunization mandate, according to the Chronicle, which quoted executive vice president Arnie Wensinger as calling the vaccination policy “unreasonable, invasive and unsafe.”
The company’s new mask policy comes nearly three months after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization declared the end of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. The virus has killed more than 1.1 million Americans since spring 2020. Deaths and hospital admissions have declined significantly: there were 6,228 hospital admissions in the week ended July 19, compared with a peak of more than 150,000 in January 2022.
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Still, people with compromised immune systems remain particularly vulnerable to the virus, and some still choose to wear masks or take other precautions to protect themselves or their families.
A Change.org petition saying In-N-Out’s policies “endanger the lives of employees and discriminate against the disabled and immunocompromised” has garnered 1,520 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
In its memo announcing the new policies, In-N-Out said it’s about emphasizing the importance of customer service while balancing health, safety and quality concerns.
“Our goal is to continue to provide safe and customer-centric store and support environments that combine two things that In-N-Out is known for – exceptional customer service and unmatched standards of health, safety and quality.”
The company stressed that it will continue to review its rules in light of applicable policies and that policies are subject to local regulations.
The guidelines for California and Oregon already seem to address their state requirements. California has a law that requires employers to allow employees to wear masks if they choose to do so.
The new guidelines will come into effect on August 14th.
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