Since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has spiraled into a state of change, especially within the professional work environment. The stay-at-home order is currently in the process of being lifted in some states across the country, which is good news, and companies are working out many operational logistics and this includes face coverings. Some state governments are requiring that all employees who return to work wear face coverings in order to greatly reduce the risks of the virus spreading.

At the beginning of the pandemic, face masks were not required, but as the months have progressed the government decided to highly recommend, and in some instances, mandate that face masks be worn outside the home. So which type of face-covering is the best, there are all different types and styles currently on the market. Cotton is currently the most popular option for face masks and according to the CDC, the tighter the knit of the fabric, the better protection for the user. It is also important to remember that washability and reuse are factors to be considered.

One problem we have yet to reach is the imminent threat of summer heat on the wearability of face masks. Breathing through a mask is sometimes difficult depending on the type of covering and heat will only make that situation worse, especially for long periods of time.

As you begin to go back to work with your face mask in tow remember that if you are not an essential worker, then you should not be wearing medical-grade masks like surgical masks and N95s in order to reserve those for those fighting on the front lines. 

Employer Dress Code Etiquette

Every office is unique and has different rules regarding how their employees should be dressing for work. In years past, it was common to see employees dressed to the nines in a suit and tie or dress, but now some companies are taking a more casual approach. Business formal has become business casual and in some circumstances a dress code does not even exist. Casual Fridays have become normal in many cases and even theme days on occasion. Companies like Google encourage individualism in dress, which reflects their young, progressive mindset, while many consulting companies require a more professional look for their employees to portray professionalism.

But why is the dress code so important in a business? It reinforces company values, evokes a level of professionalism, and emits a sense of unity among colleagues. These standards give guidelines on what the company deems as right and wrong in terms of outward appearance to each other, their clients, and the world. 

Enter the Protective Face Covering

First and foremost, and most importantly, masks will protect the workforce. Therefore, the inclusion of the face-covering in the workplace attire is inevitable as people go back to work and want to protect themselves. This leads to a whole new slew of questions for employers who now have re-analyze their workplace rules and regulations. First off, should there be a mask policy such as there is for a dress code? With this new policy, should the company allow any type of mask or is there a specific grade/style mask that needs to be worn to be acceptable? Should there be set guidelines regarding mask usage, including where and when to wear them? With the changing times, it is important for companies to change with them in order to stay successful and also to respect their employees’ health. 

Pros and Cons of Establishing Mask Rules

Safety is the utmost importance during this time so employers need to stay vigilant following government guidelines and recommendations, which is why assessing the pros and cons of mask policies can be beneficial to a company. Let’s imagine you’re a company that decides not to implement a code regarding masks in the workplace. Your employees can show up to a professional environment with all different types of masks, including a mask printed with their favorite rock band or an offensive slogan. These patterns do not emit a professional aura for the worker, therefore potentially hurting the appearance mandated by your dress code. Making big business deals with someone wearing bright rainbows and unicorns on their face is not something you want in a professional environment. Not only is there the potential of dress code violation with no code, but there is the bigger fear of someone coming into the office with no mask...gasp!!! This can severely hurt the health of your workers, especially if someone thinks they are fine but turns out to be asymptomatic. However, some people do not have access to a wide variety of mask options; therefore, with the implementation of a mask policy, the employer may need to step in to provide masks to those who do not have. 

The creation of mask policy in an office can set guidelines for the employees on what is acceptable and not acceptable. This takes out the guesswork and becomes part of their “new” uniform. A mask policy needs to be thoroughly researched by the employers, but if done well can provide employees with beneficial knowledge of the proper styles that can keep them safe. Through this research, employers have the decision of if they should promote individuality through masks or keep a level of professionalism by requiring sameness. A company needs to decide how to portray their company culture and one way to do that can be through branded face masks or company colors in order to show company pride and organization. 

We are certainly in a new world, and face coverings in the near future will be required for use by employees. Companies need to stay on top of these changes in order to protect their employees and products. Face coverings may be a staple in the work environment, so employers need to consider style, comfort, effectiveness, reusability, and branding of face masks when assessing policies to implement in the workplace.

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Sources:

- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html