Press Releases
05/13/2020
AG Tong Urges Amazon and Whole Foods to Strengthen Worker Protections During COVID-19 Pandemic
Attorneys General Write to Amazon and Whole Foods Asking for Assurances on Compliance with State Laws and Federal COVID-19 Guidance
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey calling on Amazon and Whole Foods to strengthen measures to protect the health and safety of their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter sent to the companies, the attorneys general request updated information on several outstanding issues raised by the coalition in a previous letter sent March 25 that urged the companies to improve their paid leave policies. Today’s letter asks Amazon and Whole Foods to provide the states with details of health and safety measures they have adopted, data about infections and deaths among their workers, evidence of their compliance with state paid sick leave laws, and more.
“Workers at Amazon and Whole Foods are providing an essential service during this crisis and they deserve protection and respect. That includes adequate protective equipment, working conditions that allow for social distancing to the greatest extent possible, and assurances that sick leave policies will remain in place for as long as this state of emergency exists. Workers who bravely step forward to report concerns deserve to be heard, not retaliated against,” said Attorney General Tong.
The attorneys general write that they are alarmed by recent media reports about the companies that allege inadequate safety measures and sick leave policies, insufficient data about infections and deaths among their workers, and retaliation against workers who call attention to unsafe workplace conditions. In the wake of these ongoing media reports, the attorneys general urge the company to provide the following:
• A written response showing how the companies are complying with guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to prevent exposure and transmission of COVID-19, including by providing workers with adequate personal protective equipment, hand washing and hand sanitizer, and social distancing policies.
• A written response demonstrating how the companies are complying with state paid sick leave laws.
• A state-by-state breakdown for each company on the number of their workers who have been infected with and died from COVID-19.
• A description of policies and procedures for notifying consumers and public health authorities of COVID-19 infections and deaths among Whole Foods employees. Many of the states’ consumer protection laws require businesses to provide this information to consumers.
• Assurances that workers will not be retaliated against for raising concerns about health and safety issues in Amazon and Whole Foods workplaces with management, the media, coworkers, or by filing complaints with relevant government agencies, and that all reports of retaliation will be investigated by the companies.
• An extension to the companies’ existing unlimited unpaid leave policies for as long as a state or federal state of emergency exists in each of the states.
• Generous paid leave policies as outlined in the states’ March 25 letter that align with requirements in the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act and provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who must stay at home to care for children due to school closures or for themselves and family members if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, diagnosed with COVID-19, or quarantined.
Amazon and Whole Foods occupy a unique space during this crisis by providing groceries and necessary supplies to millions of Americans who now rely on online shopping more than ever before. The attorneys general write that due to the essential services they provide across the country, these companies have an even greater obligation to ensure their employees stay safe and healthy while working throughout the pandemic.
Attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington signed the letter.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
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