Leaked Office Depot manual reveals that the store does not allow its workers to wear masks on the job

Paul Sakuma/AP Images

Office Depot and OfficeMax employees are not permitted to wear masks at work.

• Employees at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores are not allowed to wear masks at work.
• According to a manual with frequently asked questions for retail general managers, the company's official policy is in line with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
• According to The Washington Post, the CDC is considering revising its previous recommendations and advising even asymptomatic Americans to cover their faces in public, though masks would still be reserved for medical workers.
• An Office Depot representative did not return Business Insider's request for comment on the manual.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Employees at Office Depot and OfficeMax are not allowed to wear masks on the job, according to the company's manual of frequently asked questions for dealing with COVID-19, which was viewed by Business Insider.

The manual, which is meant to provide guidance for retail general managers of Office Depot and OfficeMax stores, says that the company's official policy regarding face masks is in line with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

"Our associates' safety is important to us and the precautions we are taking are consistent with the recommendations made by the CDC," the guidelines read. "Given the consensus that masks are not necessary to protect the health of associates who do not work in healthcare from COVID-19, associates may not wear masks while working."

The FAQ manual added other CDC recommendations for managers to give their associates, including to wash hands often with soap, avoid touching the face, and clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.

An Office Depot representative did not return Business Insider's request for comment on the manual.

As of Tuesday morning, the CDC's main COVID-19 web page recommended that people with symptoms or those caring for them should cover their faces. However, according to The Washington Post, the CDC is considering urging all Americans to cover their faces in public, though masks would still be reserved for medical workers.

Workers at office supplies stores like Staples and Home Depot are considered employees of essential businesses and are therefore expected to work in areas that are otherwise shut down.

In a letter, viewed by Business Insider, that was given to Office Depot employees, the company explained its designation as "essential" by referring to the cleaning and work-from-home-enabling products sold in stores. The letter also said that the company supports hospitals and healthcare providers.

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