Amazon employees say they're scared to go to work, but they're not alone — here are 8 big companies facing worker criticism over their coronavirus safety response (AMZN, UBER, GOOG, GOOGL, MCD, TSLA)

Business Insider/Jessica Tyler

• The coronavirus pandemic has put most of the US on lockdown, but millions of "essential" workers — even outside the healthcare system — are still showing up for their jobs.
• Even as many of their colleagues are able to make a living from the relative safety of their homes, these workers are putting themselves at an increased risk of catching COVID-19.
• But many say their employers aren't doing enough to minimize those risks, from failing to provide protective gear and clean workplaces to refusing to offer them hazard and sick pay.
• Amazon warehouse workers, Tesla employees, Uber drivers, and Instacart shoppers are just some of the people who have spoken out against companies they say aren't looking out for them at a time when they need it most.
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Around 95% of Americans have been ordered to stay at home to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But those orders don't apply to "essential" businesses, which has inadvertently created a new category of workers who continue to show up to help the country keep its critical infrastructure functioning — and by doing so, increase their risk of becoming sick.

The definition of an essential business has varied across different locations, and some companies have interpreted states' orders loosely. But even among businesses widely considered to meet the threshold, like grocery stores and transportation companies, coronavirus lockdowns have revealed a stark divide between workers who are able to work remotely and those who aren't.

Those who often can work from home are often higher-paid, full-time employees who enjoy more robust paid sick leave and healthcare benefits, and therefore have a significant leg up in avoiding exposure to the virus and receiving care if they get infected.

But many of those whose jobs can't be done remotely, such as delivery workers, rideshare drivers, retail, and food service employees, are hourly, part-time, or contract workers who lack access to those benefits  — or simply can't afford not to work without pay — leaving them with no choice but to go into work.

Some companies have taken bold and proactive action to help employees weather this crisis. Starbucks, for example, said it would pay all US workers for 30 days even if they chose not to come into work. While others have made some efforts to step up cleaning procedures, provide employees with protective equipment, or enforce social distancing measures, many workers still say the steps their employers have taken aren't enough.

Here are some of the companies that have faced criticism from workers over their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Are you still going to work and worried your employer isn't doing enough to look out for your health and safety? We're looking into working conditions at essential businesses staying open during the coronavirus pandemic and want to hear what concerns you have. Contact this reporter via phone or encrypted messaging app Signal (+1 503-319-3213), email (tsonnemaker@businessinsider.com), or Twitter (@TylerSonnemaker). We can keep sources anonymous. PR pitches by email only, please.

Amazon

Amazon is one of the few companies that have actually seen business boom as a result of the coronavirus. But the surge in online shopping has put additional strain on Amazon's warehouse workers and delivery drivers, who say the company is failing to provide protective equipment, making social distancing unfeasible at work, and not offering paid sick leave. One worker in Houston told Business Insider: "everybody looks scared, but we can't afford not to go to work."

Amazon workers have gone on strike in New York, Chicago, Minnesota, Italy, and online after colleagues tested positive for COVID-19, New York has opened an investigation into Amazon's firing of an employee who organized a strike to protest the company's coronavirus response, and Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly demanded information from the company about steps it's taking to protect workers.

Amazon has defended conditions in its warehouses, telling Business Insider in a statement that it has ramped up cleaning efforts and is enforcing social distancing. It has said workers with a COVID-19 diagnosis will get sick pay (though CNBC reported that some have struggled to receive that pay). While Amazon changed its policy to allow unlimited unpaid sick leave, Bloomberg reported that the company is ending that benefit effective at the end of April.

GameStop

GameStop, the world's biggest video game retailer, kept its stores operating far longer than most and even argued its business operations were "essential" because they "enable and enhance our customers' experience in working from home."

Employees still working during the pandemic say proper safety measures aren't being taken to ensure they don't get sick. According to a memo sent to GameStop managers and reported by the Boston Globe, employees were reportedly told to cover their hands am arms with plastic bags when interacting with customers.

A GameStop spokesperson told Business Insider that the company has closed all stores to customer access, is processing digital and curbside pick-up orders only, and is assuring employees they do not have to work if they're not comfortable or need to stay home to care for a family member.

Google

While Google has been praised for its preparedness and proactive steps to protect full-time employees, some have raised concerns internally about the company's treatment of its army of around 119,000 contract workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, demanding better and more clear policies for them.

"We're working closely with all our vendor partners to increase the ability for their employees to work from home by rolling out remote access as quickly as possible," a Google spokesperson told Business Insider.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

• Facebook blocked 5G conspiracy groups with thousands of members after users celebrated the destruction of phone masts
• Trump said Apple and Google's COVID-19 tracing tech posed 'big constitutional problems'
• Photos show the precautions US cities took to 'flatten the curve' during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic

SEE ALSO: Uber says it has paid out $3 million to drivers and delivery workers in the US through its coronavirus sick pay program

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