I work at a known chain of pet stores and I frequently come into contact with sick animals (who may bite). Our store hasn't had proper PPE (personal protective equipment) in weeks: no gloves (bite gloves or disposable), no masks to not inhale debris especially from the birds, frequently no paper towels, so on and so forth. Management is known to cut corners.
But given how frequently we workers have to take care of sick and unhealthy animals with easily spreadable zoonotic diseases (salmonella, ringworm, etc), pick up after people's dogs (if the owners decide not to do it), etc., I feel like the store not offering proper PPE is a violation somehow. especially in this type of environment.
It's too easy to get sick or bit here and it seems as if management only cares about the bottom line and not the workers. Groomers for example have to deal with crazy dogs without any real protection because they may face consequences if they refuse. Dogs need vaccinations to get groomed and do training, but any dog can walk in the store without such vaccinations if the owner isn't there for grooming or training. There's no simple first aid kits either, and if you get bit by a small animal, nobody writes up an incident report unless it's bad.
I don't want to call HR because they have a way of finding out who you are and you can face consequences or get written up... for valid complaints. It's a tough situation. Are there any suggestions on what I can do? (Besides quitting).
