COVID outbreak hits Tustin call center; employees frustrated over work conditions
A coronavirus outbreak was reported to hit the AT&T call center in Tustin, California. Around thirty employees (one-fifth of the workforce) have tested positive for the virus, including one who may have died of the disease.
Employees are complaining that the telecommunications giant “has not done any contact tracing.” A worker related that since March, employees sat in every other cubicle six feet apart, but partitions “are not high.” He stated that they wear masks when they walk around, but not while talking to customers.
On October 22, employees held a demonstration outside of the building, and over the weekend, AT&T announced it will close the building until November 9.
Eastvale resident Anthony Testa, 43, said he and his coworkers feel “disillusioned and let down.”
“I don’t know how people come back from this – how we will get on the phone with customers feeling good about the products we sell,” Testa said. “We’re professionals and good employees, so we’ll figure it out. But this is all so disappointing.”
AT&T spokesman Jim Kimberly in an email said that the company “has implemented stringent safety procedures.” He added, “All employees and contractors who enter our workspace must complete a daily health assessment and answer questions about COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure to those with COVID-19.”
