MOM’s Organic Market says employees won’t need doctor’s note to wear masks

MOM’s Organic Market says it will not require doctors’ notes for employees to wear medical face masks after pushback over the Rockville-based grocery chain’s policy prohibiting employees from wearing them on the job.

In an emailed statement to The Banner on Tuesday, MOM’s said that the policy is part of a “broader dress code update that includes uniforms and name tags, all intended to support the customer experience,” but that exemptions will be allowed for health reasons.

“At MOM’s, we’re committed to creating a personal, welcoming experience in our stores, and we believe genuine, face-to-face connection between our team and customers is a big part of that,” the statement read. “Our goal is to create a consistent, personal customer experience while also recognizing and respecting our team members’ individual needs.”

MOM’s did not respond to The Banner’s follow-up questions about the policy and the statement.

An internal document reviewed by The Banner on Saturday said that employees with disabilities and health conditions are exempt from the mask ban under the Americans with Disabilities Act if they provide a doctor’s note.

A note clarifying the policy change was sent to store managers and shared with The Banner. Multiple MOM’s employees corroborated the details of the note, which provided an update to the grocer’s dress code, removing the requirement for doctors’ notes and other documentation for employees wearing masks.

“We care deeply about the health and well-being of our team members and customers,” the note said. “That’s why the policy includes important exceptions for when someone may need to wear a face covering- whether they’ve been exposed to an illness, are having symptoms, or are protecting a loved one who is immunocompromised.

“In those circumstances, MOM’s store managers and Employee Experience team are here to support.”

That wording worried a Baltimore-area store employee, who spoke to The Banner on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, because it appeared to give individual store managers the power to approve or deny mask-ban exemptions.

“What they have very purposely not mentioned is that employees must receive manager approval to wear a mask in these cases,” the employee said of their interpretation of the policy. “Unlike the ADA accommodations, manager approval is not bound by any law and can be rescinded or denied at their discretion.”

The employee said the policy had not been updated in the official employee handbook.

“This newest statement from the company is an attempt to muddy the waters on their very straightforward employee mask ban policy,” they said. “Nothing in the policy has changed.”

A group of former employees of the MOM’s Hampden location has organized to support current employees through a campaign called “Support MOM’s Workers.” They are planning two “solidarity days” encouraging customers and others upset about the policy to show up to MOM’s stores wearing masks on Aug. 24 and 30.