Today we’ve received our first response to this petition from Newegg CEO, Anthony Chow. In an email addressed to all US employees, he claims “Under both state and county rules, Newegg qualifies as an essential business and is entitled to continue onsite operations subject to certain restrictions.”
This is false according to the state of California. As clearly explained in the petition, workers in Newegg office spaces are considered to be non-essential. (https://covid19.ca.gov/img/EssentialCriticalInfrastructureWorkers.pdf) On page 22 of the CA.GOV link above, you will find the following relevant statements
- Essential Workforce, if remote working is not practical:
- 5. Workers in hardware and building materials stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant retailers, wholesalers and distributors that support essential workforce functions where sales and operations cannot be conducted online.
The fact that we Worked From Home in March and April, proves that Newegg is an non-essential business. We were able to conduct our sales and operations online. Newegg office workers is not an essential business.
It has become clear that Newegg does not have the best interests of its employees at heart, and does not care about our grave concerns. It is up to us to ensure that Newegg is following state and county law regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
There are three ways to report workplace COVID-19 violations: by phone, email, or online form. Please, if you feel that Newegg is not following state and county COVID-19 rules, submit a complaint using one of the methods below.
- Customer Call Center:
(888) 700-9995 (M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) - Email: Ehmail@ph.lacounty.gov
- File an online complaint with Environmental Health here:
https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov/servlet/guest?service=0&formId=4&saveAction=5
When filing a complaint, please keep in mind the following:
- Office workers at Newegg is defined as non-essential
- We do not have cubicles, working in open desks. Not physically distanced
- Not everyone is wearing masks
Thank you,
-Neweggers for WFH