Take note you dictating power hungry supermarkets regarding face mask discrimination for those exempt.
Article copyright: Disability Rights
A disabled woman assisted by Kester Disability Rights has been paid £7,000 in compensation by a service provider who refused her access to a service because she was unable to wear a face mask.
The pay-out was achieved through negotiation as there was no dispute that access had been denied, or that the Claimant had a disability exemption. The only thing to be agreed was the amount of compensation, not whether it was due or not.
Refusing access to people unable to wear face coverings due to disability is direct discimination – no different to denying access to a black or gay person for example.
Disabled people are now routinely harassed in public for not wearing face coverings – frequently given the impression that confidential medical information must be publicly disclosed to justify exemption. The fact that shops and hospitality businesses routinely display “no mask no entry” signs shows how deeply disablist attitudes are embedded in society. If premises displayed “no blacks” or “no gays” notices there would be outrage.
Fortunately the official Government position does not endorse any of this as nobody exempt from wearing a mask is expected to go around justifying themselves. Saying “I’m exempt” is enough. If the response to that can be proved to be discriminatory then compensation is due.
I have been denied my return to work after maternity leave due to my exemption. I was told its company policy and I’ll have to go on sick. I asked my employer if they would accept my wearing a bracket underneath as a compromise. It was not acceptable to them. Expecting us to wear both a mask and visor for almost 13 hour shits
I will PM you.
For others, take a look at the letter templates on this website: https://rational.global/letter-to-employers-re-masks/
I’m a nurse and developed asthma whilst during the pandemic exempting me from wearing masks but the hospital could not facilitate me working in a non patient facing role (I worked in ITU) and so I was dismissed after the redeployment period. I feel I have been forced out because of a medical condition.
I am sorry to hear this, Angie. It sounds like clear discrimination and I would seek a no win no fee lawyer who deals in discrimination. Masks are absolute nonsense, the evidence is on your side and they would have to prove that they did not discriminate against you.