What the hell? Some of the most vulnerable and underappreciated workers in America are grocery store workers. One of the hippest stores per their model, Trader Joe’s, has a current policy that does not allow workers to wear protective gloves at work unless they have a doctor’s note. I just called my local store in Asheville, (828-232-5078 please call) and a Manager confirmed this. I was so pissed I probably didn’t handle it well and told him to wash his fucking hands and give his employees some respect. Minimum wage, young, vulnerable, afraid. Fuck Trader Joe’s.
Buzzfeed March 18, 2020
Gloves have been an especially heated topic for Trader Joe’s employees, who have been forbidden from wearing them unless they have a doctor’s note. Workers with the employee rights initiative the Coalition for a Trader Joe’s Union have said the company doesn’t want staff wearing gloves because they don’t look good for customers — despite the fact that customers might prefer them in gloves right now.
“We've had customers yell at us while on our own shifts...for not wearing gloves on register,” a spokesperson for the coalition told BuzzFeed News. “When we try explaining that it's because we're not allowed, they only get more upset.”
Trader Joe’s did not respond to a request for comment.