This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/business/spectrum-employees-coronavirus.html
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 14 | Version 15 |
|---|---|
| Spectrum Employees Are Getting Sick Amid Debate Over Working From Home | Spectrum Employees Are Getting Sick Amid Debate Over Working From Home |
| (7 days later) | |
| Employees at Charter Communications, the internet, cable TV and phone giant known as Spectrum, have been getting sick while adhering to a company policy that has required thousands of them to work in offices and call centers rather than from home. | Employees at Charter Communications, the internet, cable TV and phone giant known as Spectrum, have been getting sick while adhering to a company policy that has required thousands of them to work in offices and call centers rather than from home. |
| More than 230 Spectrum employees have tested positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic hit the United States, according to a person with knowledge of the company who was not authorized to speak publicly. They have fallen ill at a time when some rank-and-file workers and managers have questioned how many Spectrum employees must work in offices and call centers. | More than 230 Spectrum employees have tested positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic hit the United States, according to a person with knowledge of the company who was not authorized to speak publicly. They have fallen ill at a time when some rank-and-file workers and managers have questioned how many Spectrum employees must work in offices and call centers. |
| The New York attorney general’s office said on Monday that it has opened an inquiry into the company because of its handling of employees during the pandemic. Spectrum declined to comment on the inquiry. | The New York attorney general’s office said on Monday that it has opened an inquiry into the company because of its handling of employees during the pandemic. Spectrum declined to comment on the inquiry. |
| The company has been deemed an essential service because it keeps its 29 million customers connected and allows people and businesses across the country to function remotely. Spectrum, based in Stamford, Conn., employs 95,000 people in 41 states. About 40,000 people work in call centers or offices; roughly 55,000 workers deal with customers face to face as field technicians or retail employees. | The company has been deemed an essential service because it keeps its 29 million customers connected and allows people and businesses across the country to function remotely. Spectrum, based in Stamford, Conn., employs 95,000 people in 41 states. About 40,000 people work in call centers or offices; roughly 55,000 workers deal with customers face to face as field technicians or retail employees. |
| Of the Spectrum employees who tested positive for Covid-19, roughly half worked in offices or call centers, according to the person with knowledge of the company. At least two Spectrum field workers have died, the person said. | Of the Spectrum employees who tested positive for Covid-19, roughly half worked in offices or call centers, according to the person with knowledge of the company. At least two Spectrum field workers have died, the person said. |
| Cameron Blanchard, a company spokeswoman, would not comment on the number of illnesses or deaths, but said Spectrum was looking out for its employees while providing a crucial service for millions of customers at a difficult time. | Cameron Blanchard, a company spokeswoman, would not comment on the number of illnesses or deaths, but said Spectrum was looking out for its employees while providing a crucial service for millions of customers at a difficult time. |
| “We have dramatically reduced the number of employees going into the field or into the office while maintaining the efficacy of our business operations that is so critical to fighting this pandemic,” Ms. Blanchard said in an email. “We have also announced a variety of enhanced benefits to help alleviate employees’ concerns while still being able to meet the elevated needs of our customers and businesses across the country during the crisis.” | “We have dramatically reduced the number of employees going into the field or into the office while maintaining the efficacy of our business operations that is so critical to fighting this pandemic,” Ms. Blanchard said in an email. “We have also announced a variety of enhanced benefits to help alleviate employees’ concerns while still being able to meet the elevated needs of our customers and businesses across the country during the crisis.” |
| Since March 19, Spectrum has given all its workers three weeks of flexible paid time to use during the crisis. Employees may take those days off, though salaried workers have been encouraged to use that time to work remotely. | Since March 19, Spectrum has given all its workers three weeks of flexible paid time to use during the crisis. Employees may take those days off, though salaried workers have been encouraged to use that time to work remotely. |
| Some Spectrum employees have been going to the office in shifts, to reduce the number of people in workplaces. Any worker who has tested positive for Covid-19 is given two weeks of paid sick leave, the spokeswoman said. | Some Spectrum employees have been going to the office in shifts, to reduce the number of people in workplaces. Any worker who has tested positive for Covid-19 is given two weeks of paid sick leave, the spokeswoman said. |
| The company’s stance on working remotely became the subject of internal debate on March 13, when Nick Wheeler, an engineer in Denver, sent an email to hundreds of colleagues and a senior vice president with the subject line “Coronavirus — Why are we still in the office?” | The company’s stance on working remotely became the subject of internal debate on March 13, when Nick Wheeler, an engineer in Denver, sent an email to hundreds of colleagues and a senior vice president with the subject line “Coronavirus — Why are we still in the office?” |
| “Coming into the office now is pointlessly reckless,” wrote Mr. Wheeler, who provided a copy of the email to The New York Times. “Charter, like the rest of us, should do what is necessary to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.” | “Coming into the office now is pointlessly reckless,” wrote Mr. Wheeler, who provided a copy of the email to The New York Times. “Charter, like the rest of us, should do what is necessary to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.” |
| On the day of Mr. Wheeler’s email, President Trump declared a national emergency. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States stood at 2,100, and officials had only just started to ban some large gatherings. | On the day of Mr. Wheeler’s email, President Trump declared a national emergency. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States stood at 2,100, and officials had only just started to ban some large gatherings. |
| After Mr. Wheeler sent his email, as TechCrunch reported last month, he was summoned to a meeting with a vice president and a human resources representative, who criticized him for spreading fear. Mr. Wheeler offered to resign, but was told to think it over, he said in an interview. Within hours, he received word that his resignation had been accepted. | After Mr. Wheeler sent his email, as TechCrunch reported last month, he was summoned to a meeting with a vice president and a human resources representative, who criticized him for spreading fear. Mr. Wheeler offered to resign, but was told to think it over, he said in an interview. Within hours, he received word that his resignation had been accepted. |
| The next day, March 14, Charter’s chief executive, Thomas M. Rutledge, sent a memo to employees saying the company was preparing a work-from-home plan. He noted that roughly 80,000 employees — whom he described as “front line” workers — had jobs that “cannot be performed effectively from home.” Another 14,000 office employees across the country had the ability to work remotely, but “they are more effective from the office,” Mr. Rutledge said in the memo. | The next day, March 14, Charter’s chief executive, Thomas M. Rutledge, sent a memo to employees saying the company was preparing a work-from-home plan. He noted that roughly 80,000 employees — whom he described as “front line” workers — had jobs that “cannot be performed effectively from home.” Another 14,000 office employees across the country had the ability to work remotely, but “they are more effective from the office,” Mr. Rutledge said in the memo. |
| A day after the memo went out, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against gatherings of more than 50 people. In the days that followed, Spectrum’s plan got more specific. | A day after the memo went out, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against gatherings of more than 50 people. In the days that followed, Spectrum’s plan got more specific. |
| On March 19, the company told its employees that they would have the three weeks of flex time, but suggested salaried workers could use it to work remotely. “There may be times when you are using this special time but still have capacity to work remotely,” Spectrum said in a memo to the staff. “We certainly encourage and appreciate that; we need you now more than ever.” | On March 19, the company told its employees that they would have the three weeks of flex time, but suggested salaried workers could use it to work remotely. “There may be times when you are using this special time but still have capacity to work remotely,” Spectrum said in a memo to the staff. “We certainly encourage and appreciate that; we need you now more than ever.” |
| In other memos to various Spectrum departments, the company said that roughly 60 percent of call center workers would still need to go to the office, and that people in management roles would be expected in their usual workplaces. | In other memos to various Spectrum departments, the company said that roughly 60 percent of call center workers would still need to go to the office, and that people in management roles would be expected in their usual workplaces. |
| Spectrum has further revised its policy on working remotely since then, said Ms. Blanchard, the company spokeswoman, so that a “significant majority” of office and call center employees are now doing their jobs from home. She would not specify how many are working remotely or when that shift had happened. | Spectrum has further revised its policy on working remotely since then, said Ms. Blanchard, the company spokeswoman, so that a “significant majority” of office and call center employees are now doing their jobs from home. She would not specify how many are working remotely or when that shift had happened. |
| Updated July 7, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. | |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| The changes have not fully addressed the concerns of rank-and-file employees and executives, some of whom have said that Spectrum was still not doing enough to protect its workers, according to the person with knowledge of the company. | The changes have not fully addressed the concerns of rank-and-file employees and executives, some of whom have said that Spectrum was still not doing enough to protect its workers, according to the person with knowledge of the company. |
| As of Monday, nearly 8,000 people had signed a petition on the website Change.org demanding that more Spectrum employees be allowed to work from home. The petition was posted last month by a person identifying as a worker at the company. | As of Monday, nearly 8,000 people had signed a petition on the website Change.org demanding that more Spectrum employees be allowed to work from home. The petition was posted last month by a person identifying as a worker at the company. |
| “Our families at home are under mental agony, thinking of us getting exposed to virus at work,” the petitioner wrote under the name Johnny E. “A little flexibility working during this time really helps all. The work we do can be done remotely without any obstacles. We do on-call and work through the nights from home all the time. I do not see a reason why we cannot work remotely during these difficult times.” | “Our families at home are under mental agony, thinking of us getting exposed to virus at work,” the petitioner wrote under the name Johnny E. “A little flexibility working during this time really helps all. The work we do can be done remotely without any obstacles. We do on-call and work through the nights from home all the time. I do not see a reason why we cannot work remotely during these difficult times.” |
| Jeanine Ramirez, an anchor at NY1, Spectrum’s local news channel in New York City, said in an interview that the company should allow more employees to work remotely. | Jeanine Ramirez, an anchor at NY1, Spectrum’s local news channel in New York City, said in an interview that the company should allow more employees to work remotely. |
| “Why would a sales job have to be in the office?” Ms. Ramirez said. “Why can’t you do sales over the phone?” | “Why would a sales job have to be in the office?” Ms. Ramirez said. “Why can’t you do sales over the phone?” |
| Ms. Ramirez, one of five female journalists who filed a discrimination lawsuit against Spectrum in June, has been broadcasting remotely in recent weeks, with lights, a microphone and camera equipment set up in her home. | Ms. Ramirez, one of five female journalists who filed a discrimination lawsuit against Spectrum in June, has been broadcasting remotely in recent weeks, with lights, a microphone and camera equipment set up in her home. |
| “If we could build an entire studio at home, a sales job should definitely be able to be done remotely,” she said. | “If we could build an entire studio at home, a sales job should definitely be able to be done remotely,” she said. |
| The Department of Economic and Community Development in Connecticut, where Charter is based, has said on its website that “essential employees who are able to work from home should be working from home.” | The Department of Economic and Community Development in Connecticut, where Charter is based, has said on its website that “essential employees who are able to work from home should be working from home.” |
| On Monday Spectrum announced that “there will be no layoffs or furloughs for at least the next 60 days.” The company also noted in a news release that it had already planned to raise the pay of hourly workers from $15 to $20 over the next two years and to increase wages for field workers and sales employees. In addition, Spectrum has waived the costs of diagnostic medical testing for employees over the next 90 days. | On Monday Spectrum announced that “there will be no layoffs or furloughs for at least the next 60 days.” The company also noted in a news release that it had already planned to raise the pay of hourly workers from $15 to $20 over the next two years and to increase wages for field workers and sales employees. In addition, Spectrum has waived the costs of diagnostic medical testing for employees over the next 90 days. |
| Mr. Wheeler, the former Charter engineer, said he felt torn about his March 13 email. Because he resigned, he is not eligible for unemployment benefits, and he is having a hard time finding work. But he feels that he influenced his former employer to allow more people to work from home. | Mr. Wheeler, the former Charter engineer, said he felt torn about his March 13 email. Because he resigned, he is not eligible for unemployment benefits, and he is having a hard time finding work. But he feels that he influenced his former employer to allow more people to work from home. |
| “There were a lot of people who thanked me for doing that,” Mr. Wheeler said. “I don’t want to say that I wish I didn’t quit, but there is a part of me that regrets doing it that way.” | “There were a lot of people who thanked me for doing that,” Mr. Wheeler said. “I don’t want to say that I wish I didn’t quit, but there is a part of me that regrets doing it that way.” |