Boss spreading misinformation about Covid-19. Help.

April 4, 2020 5:54 AM

On Monday, I overheard my boss at a weekly pep-talk meeting with his road crew explain that the coronavirus isn't airborne and that you only have to worry about direct contact with someone who is showing symptoms.

I believe he and the other managers are minimizing the severity of the outbreak in order to justify continuing to stay open despite the fact that we're only essential in the loosest possible definition of the word. This manager also demanded a doctor's note for my absence and replied indignantly when I said the office is not providing notes due to an overabundance of incoming calls. I would like to address this with someone but remain anonymous. Any thoughts?

posted by anonymous to Law & Government (8 answers total)

There might be officials with your state or local government you could address this with. Or a newspaper writer.
posted by NotLost at 6:15 AM on April 4, 2020 [9 favorites]

There might be relevant federal laws, too, depending on the poster's country?
posted by eviemath at 6:36 AM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

This might be one of these times where you say to yourself, "I can't be responsible for correcting all errors" and just let it go. There's lots of correct info out there for those who care to learn.

I'd say more, but gotta go...somebody's wrong on the internet.
posted by mono blanco at 6:51 AM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

Where I live (NYC) you can call 311 to report workplaces like this. Perhaps there's something like that where you live.
posted by Ampersand692 at 7:33 AM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure if Ask A Manager's list of places to call about violations of shelter in place applies to you, but you could try it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:58 AM on April 4, 2020 [2 favorites]

Whatever you do, please do not call 911. In WA there has been a run on people calling 911 to report shelter-in-place violations and that's putting a strain on a system that needs to be open for true emergencies.
posted by brookeb at 9:44 AM on April 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

If you are in the U.S., your state's occupational health and safety dept. should have a secure/confidential reporting mechanism in place.
posted by headnsouth at 10:03 AM on April 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

Normally I wouldn't say this, but the press is searching for COVID stories and they are very sympathetic to worker health and safety concerns right now. Public shaming may be your most expeditious and effective approach right now.
posted by latkes at 6:11 PM on April 4, 2020 [4 favorites]