Delta Airlines Email Reportedly Instructs Employees To “Refrain From Notifying” Colleagues If They Have Coronavirus
A shocking email sent by Delta Airlines has told flight attendants who have tested positive for the Coronavirus to “refrain from notifying” others they work with, or from posting it on social media.
The email that was obtained by the Huffington Post and sent to more than 25,000 employees asks them to “follow an established process” to notify co-workers who have been in contact with others who “are symptomatic or diagnosed with COVID-19.”
“Please refrain from notifying other crew members on your own,” reads the email. “Once you have completed the reporting procedures listed above, leaders will follow the established process to notify any impacted flight attendants.”
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In addition, the airline instructed employees to refrain from posting any updates on other employees or their own conditions on social media, “Please do not post on social media (including SkyHub) about your health status.”
“Employees have freedom of speech about their health,” said one flight attendant to the HuffPost. “No employer can take that away. We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves, our coworkers and everyone we come in contact with.”
Delta spokesman Antony Black also spoke to The Post, “Our employee communication was designed to inform our crews so that they hear from us first, protect the confidentiality of the potential employees/customers impacted and ensure that crews receive leader support, details on available resources as well as advice on next steps.”
Following the news, Delta also updated its best practices policy,
“We take the responsibility of notifying all of our Delta people seriously and have a strong protocol in place to ensure we get in touch with anyone potentially exposed to provide support, key information and resources, and advise them on any necessary steps. Therefore, please refrain from notifying other crew members on your own. Once you have completed the reporting procedures listed above, leaders will follow the established process to notify any impacted flight attendants.”