Fast food chain In-N-Out, known for its double-doubles and animal-style fries, has made headlines not just for its food, but for a policy that forbids employees from wearing masks in five U.S. states, including Arizona, as reported by AZFamily. This decision emphasizes "customer service," purportedly to allow the staff's smiles to shine through. Workers are instructed to provide a "valid medical note" if they wish to be exempt from this rule, and even then, they're required to wear company-provided N95 masks.
Meanwhile, the In-N-Out location in Gilbert has been besieged by a different kind of problem — a series of disturbances and altercations involving mainly teens. Police calls to this particular outlet have painted a troubling picture with distressing incidents, including assaults and the brandishing of weapons, as uncovered by data obtained and reported on by 12News after a public records request. These have not just been isolated cases; police have had to respond to roughly 256 calls since the beginning of 2020, with roughly 30 percent related to juvenile disturbances.
Some of the more brazen incidents have involved up to 100 kids engaging in unruly behavior or getting into physical altercations. There have been reports of teenagers with guns, rocks being thrown, and even a victim assaulted with brass knuckles. According to Gilbert PD Chief Michael Soelberg, the frequency and severity of these events compelled the department to increase patrols in the area. The recent mask prohibition by In-N-Out might seem unrelated, but it intersects with public safety concerns as the chain, while battling antisocial behavior outside its stores, also shapes internal policy on health-related attire amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the policy imposed on mask-wearing by In-N-Out, the company claims to focus on a balance of "exceptional customer service and unmatched standards for health, safety and quality." This tension between customer experience and employee as well as public health, comes after President Joe Biden ended the Covid national emergency, signaling a shift in the pandemic's management. Yet In-N-Out's stance on health directives is not without precedent; the company previously clashed with regulation, when it refused to enforce vaccination status checks at its San Francisco area locations in 2021, gravitating towards individual responsibility over mandated compliance.
