I’m sure many of you saw the email last week from our head of service. Those who can work from home due to coronavirus are being encourage to do so. The service techs however, must keep providing “world class service”. That’s it. No PPE, no sanitizer, no masks, nothing! Perhaps extra compensation? Not that I’ve heard. Just get out there and risk picking up the disease and spreading it to your family! Many of our customers are staying home, not using their machines. Ricoh, you have to do better than shrugging your shoulders!
5 replies (most recent on top)
As soon as COVID-19 hit our management was on the ball. We got disposable & washable masks, gloves, & sanitizer. I was told I could expense whatever I need. 3 masks for $15. I got 5 for $20. They were in such a hurry to get stuff to us the one size fit all gloves did not fit & a couple of masks did not fit. They sent bigger masks & told me to give the smaller ones to family members on mines. I did not have to buy anything for my son since the stuff that was to small for me fit him.
Furlough two weeks was extended to seven weeks. Management was fair & made sure everyone had four week before the end of July for the additional $600 from the Fed. Hopefully the Fed extends program to cover other three weeks of Furlough. Ricoh sent email out to offer early retirement to 55 & older. Job market went to hell in a hand basket. If you are not ready to retire it would be a tough deal to take I think. Looking for a new job in these times would be a tough gig.
Fuserroller, ever since our offices began closing it has been more difficult to get what we need. Also depends on the service manager. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been yessed to death or had to make multiple requests. I disagree that masks are not essential, I feel they were even before covid. Anyone who has done a developer change or dumped waste toner knows that. Studies have shown that the virus can survive for a few hours suspended in the air and much longer on surfaces. We need masks.
Gloves and cleaners have always been available many have chosen not to use them when servicing machines prior to covid-19. You cant now blame ricoh because the whole world wants the same gloves and cleaners that are on back order, that you now decided you want to start using. Masks are not required during a service calls, i can understand someone may wish to have one in a hospital and many hospitals have provided them, but it is not a necessity per CDC guidelines. If you feel uncomfortable working you can use PTO and stay home.
The leadership hides behind their desks or works from home. They send out emails with empty platitudes, thinking they are encouraging us. Instead they are showing how little they care about the health and safety of their service teams. In Michigan they are not following the Goverors emergency declaration. We are still forced to do installs at non critical businesses and service machines for companies that have not complied with the order. Bottom line is it's the end of the fiscal year and they want their bonuses. Try leading from the front. Ridealong with a tech for a week, see what we are exposed to.
Sad but not surprising ... All sorts of yuck poised to ooze from the ol' ricoh kimono. "Stay Tuned..."