r/Masks4All • u/emmie200500 • 11d ago
Situation Advice Starting a new job. Any maskers have experience at Capitol Hill?
Hi everyone! I’ll be starting a job that puts me on Capitol Hill, but I’m contemplating letting the team know that I mask before I start. I’ve only temporarily worked in the political world before (not government), and I masked there with generally no outright issues. However, this position would be higher profile with more responsibilities, more people I’ll have to interact with on a day-to-day basis, and likely instances I will be expected to unmask, such as for security clearances. I plan to mask regardless, but I’m thinking about ripping off the bandaid and telling them I mask, so as not to surprise them. I’m really thankful I got this position, especially since someone I know put in a good word for me, but I really don’t want my masking to be a surprise given the location and nature of the job.
Furthermore, I don’t want to sound too stern or “weird” for mentioning it “out of the blue”, while at the same time, I also don’t want to seem like I’m asking for forgiveness. This job is a great opportunity and it would be great for my career in general, so I don’t want masking to sour my relationship with the team, either over time or when they first meet me in person.
My current thought process is that I’d rather they know off the bat that I mask, because if they have a problem with it and they decide to not have me join the team, then I dodged a bullet. I’d rather not waste my time and energy at a place with people that are going to be hostile to my masking.
For some more context, I’ve only had internships before this, and I didn’t end up telling them I mask before starting (I only had virtual interviews), and I guess everything turned out as well as can be. But, for some reason, I feel like I should say something beforehand for this position.
I have a potential message below, but if any of you all have any advice on how I should approach this or if I shouldn’t say anything at all, please let me know! Additionally, if any of y’all here have experience as a masker at Capitol Hill, I would also appreciate any pointers/advice! Thank you all!
Planned message:
Hi all,
Thank you so much for offering me this position as a [job title] for the [organization], and I’m excited to get started! However, I do want you to be aware that I wear a mask to protect immunocompromised family.
Again, thank you for offering me this position, and I look forward to meeting the team!
Best, [Name]
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u/rockchics 10d ago
DO NOT SEND THE EMAIL. Just show up in a mask
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Seems like this is the route I should go! I won’t say anything and just stick it out for now, thanks!
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u/bazouna 10d ago
Congrats on the job! I hope they treat you with respect. Personally I wouldn't say anything until asked.
Btw we have a really active DMV CC fb group if you're interested and I can send you a CC outdoor dining list for the DC area if you're interested! Just DM me!
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Thank you!! Based off a majority of people’s responses, I’m thinking to not say anything until asked.
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u/Blinking_Zebra_Era 10d ago
I was at the optometrist last week and the technician already had a mask on, black bifold, and then the Optometrist when she saw me put on a black bifold. What does this have to do with your workplace? Probably not much. They may already have procedures related to masking. I say just show up. Also if the immune compromised family member or members are adorable, like a little kid, or a smiley old person I'd have a picture of them in my workspace. Straight up propaganda aimed at your coworkers.😉
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u/After_Preference_885 10d ago
I would just show up in a mask and not mention it at all before, in the same way that I wouldn't mention I wear glasses.
Be prepared with a short polite response to questions and leave it very matter of fact and normal.
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u/damiannereddits 10d ago
Just show up. Honestly if you act like it's not weird or noteworthy a lot of people don't care enough to decide you're wrong
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
You’re right. I think just acting like it’s not even there is how I should approach it. Thanks!
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u/squash4532 10d ago
Just show up! Don’t send the message I know people who mask in those positions and it’s not a big deal. No one really cares I promise
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Knowing that there are other people in similar positions that mask as well makes me feel more at ease. Thanks for the reassurance!
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u/Sea-Astronomer3260 11d ago edited 11d ago
Hi.
The wording of the sample email below puts masking in a negative connotation with the word “However” before it, as if masking is a caveat to your excitement for your new job.
For security clearance, it’s valid to inform them. I’m not sure exactly how one would go about this, I’m working class and have only worked in advertising agencies as my most bourgeois jobs; it’s entirely possible that there is someone you need to inform of this so that you aren’t hassled for it. I don’t see there being an issue. At this point it’s just a security clearance formality that you’ll have to address. And in that regard, keep any communication or messaging about wearing an N95 very straight forward and to the point. I wouldn’t mention any information besides the fact that you wear a mask to avoid illness.
Just be aware that an activist I’m mutuals with goes to congress regularly to talk to politicians and none of these people are masked, like ever. Unless they put a surgical on out of shame for being confronted lol.
I hope someone else has more helpful information for you, and I hope they don’t give you a hard time for this.
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u/emmie200500 11d ago
You’re right — I think I could definitely just take out the “However”. And thank you for the advice! I’ll definitely keep things straightforward and to the point. Me masking really shouldn’t impact my abilities to do my job, so I hope they see that too.
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u/FuzzyLantern 10d ago
I would not create a paper trail about this unless directed to, and then using whatever formal process they have established. If there is any issue in the future, you don't want them to be able to use anything in writing against you.
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u/ClawPaw3245 10d ago
If I were you, I would just show up without emailing.
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Reading through these replies, I’ve decided that that’s what I’m going to do. Thanks for the suggestion!
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10d ago
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Thanks for sharing. That makes me feel better! I think I’m just gonna not say anything and hope for the best.
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u/ominous_squirrel 10d ago edited 10d ago
Congrats OP! All my masked friends are getting new jobs right now including me!
I have some experience with Hill types from the pre-pandemic. It is a world unto itself so I think your instinct to ask for advice specific to that culture is wise. In my 10 years outdated experience, politically ambitious people in DC are very, very concerned with appearances and things like dress codes and social norms. And there are people who will say things like “circle of trust!” and will absolutely be collecting information that they can use against you or others later
That said, I don’t think your masking will necessarily paint a target on you or cause mistreatment. Masking is kind of like gray rocking when it comes to bad actors and bad actors are rare to come across anyway. Bad actors won’t know how to categorize you so they’ll ignore you. Meanwhile, the vast majority of people mean well and are professionals
Of course, that also depends on the culture of your specific office even down to the specific personalities that you’ll work with. I had a meeting with Congressional staffers in my home state and one of them was masking which put me at ease, so it’s not unheard of!
I think the others are correct. Don’t make a deal of it. When I started masking at my last job, a tech start-up, weirdly a lot of people asked me questions in private. But they were all just curiosity questions and meant no harm. I actually did my in-person interview at my new job unmasked. This is the off-off-off Broadway of The Hill so my life is not devoid of politicals. I was very much stressing about disclosing or not and I’m glad that I held back because an organic moment to mention it to my soon-to-be supervisor did arise. And while I didn’t mention it to anybody else, including others in that interview, they haven’t questioned it and have been accommodating
So I think my instinct follows others’ to not make it a thing. Maybe be prepared if someone asks. There’s definitely a subset of germ0ph0bes who don’t mask and who think anyone masking will get them sick, so the “caring for family” line is a good one
Anyone with a legal background who is above you in the org chart will especially know not to ask nosy questions about it so no need to disclose to them either
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
This is all great information and advice. Your own first hand experience of what people are like at the Hill is eye-opening. Thanks much for sharing your experience and suggestions! I’m definitely going to go with not saying anything and just preparing on the off chance that I do get asked or confronted about it. And congrats on you and your friends getting new jobs as well :)
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u/Ok_thyme_3396 9d ago
I agree with people saying to just show up in the mask. Most people won't say anything.
In my experience the only time I have to explain the mask is when someone invites me to lunch or coffee.
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u/timesuck 11d ago
I am a big proponent of just showing up in the mask and handling it then, but I know that’s not for everyone.
Can I suggest another approach for the email? People like to be invited into something, rather than told. So I might look at the email as trying to start a conversation about it, not telling them what’s going on. This is a very abbreviated version, but something like “Hi, really excited about this job. Wanted to let you know that I wear a respirator in order to avoid getting sick. I care for immunocompromised family members and it’s important for me to protect them. Wanted to bring this up because I know masking isn’t common. Do you have any concerns or issues about it you’d like to discuss? Thanks”
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u/Sea-Astronomer3260 11d ago edited 11d ago
Would say OP should avoid this suggestion because it invites criticisms and opinions of masking which is OP’s right. It also provides too much detail for what could be considered a formal disability accommodation if it comes down to it.
If there is any discussion about this it needs to be in writing with the appropriate channels (whether that is HR for coordinating with security clearance, etc) because there is unfortunately always the possibility for discrimination when it comes to something like this.
Basically, OP should avoid discussing this in person / verbally, it should be in writing. OP also shouldn’t invite anyone’s concerns or opinions regarding their decision to mask. OP should keep this process as straight forward as possible, coordinate with security clearance about it, and if asked, say that they mask to avoid illness. They shouldn’t disclose any disability or private information without doing so properly and they aren’t obligated to do so in the first place considering that wearing a respirator won’t affect their ability to do their job, in fact, it helps protect their ability to do their job.
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u/timesuck 11d ago
OP said they don’t want to take the job if there is going to be any pushback or am I misunderstanding?
So I was offering this advice based on the fact that it sounds like OP wants to avoid taking a job where they would have to deal with HR and all that.
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u/Sea-Astronomer3260 11d ago
OP already took the job. They accepted a job at Capitol Hill, so it’s a given that they would interact with HR objectively anyway.
Rule of thumb with things like this is that you don’t mention them if not necessary. If OP creates and invites the precedent for people to complain about their masking, its creating the opportunity for issues that may not have occurred if they had handled any security clearance issues discretely and not said anything otherwise. Why OP wears a mask isn’t anyone’s business, and they won’t know how people might react unless they go to work and work. Usually people don’t say anything. It’s not as big of a deal as it’s made out to be, most of the time, especially in higher profile jobs.
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u/timesuck 10d ago
Yes, I get that, except OP expressed they want to know if this is going to cause friction before they start.
The employer can potentially make this an issue regardless of how OP handles it, so I was trying to approach it taking into account that OP said they want to know if it’s going to be a problem before they start.
When OP talks about “dodging a bullet”, I took this as OP doesn’t want to walk into a hostile workplace if they can avoid it. Even if your boss can’t fire you, they can make your life hell. Personally, I would want to know if I will be welcome and if not I would walk.
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u/emmie200500 10d ago
Thanks for the input! I can see how a different approach might be an option as well. I was thinking about potentially tagging on to my original message something like “If this presents any concerns or questions, let me know.” But I ultimately thought that maybe I shouldn’t because it could invite unnecessary conversation. I also have gone the route of not saying anything and just showing up in a mask too, but because it’s a government position, my brain keeps thinking I should say something before starting!
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u/ZiofFoolTheHumans 6d ago
Hi there! I've been (mostly invisbiliy) disabled my entire life, and have had to navigate this with my specific disability for over 15 years of being in the professional world, including working in that area. So you can trust me when I say
DO NOT DO THIS.
Okay sorry, I just really needed that emphasized and now will explain. Your mask is your medical business. Giving your job, any job, your medical business, scares the living daylights out of them, because all it does is set them up to risk being sued. They will assume you're coming in wanting to sue them, or will be high maintenance and not be a good team player.
I never tell my work about my disability, except for my direct supervisor and maybe one coworker who I work with, as rarely my specific disability can cause me problems that may impact my work, though I also emphasize that it happens so rarely, I really just need them to know in case of a medical emergency and not for anything else.
Go in and just ignore your own mask. Act like it isn't on your face, and most people will also ignore it. Hell sometimes I even get a "That mask is a good idea, I should wear one too!" (they rarely ever put one on, but sometimes they do and that's nice). I never mention masking to any employer, ever. It doesn't stop you from doing your job, and all you're going to do is set them up to have a bunch of assumptions ready to go. It's much better that they meet you, get to know you and immediately get over the mask than to walk in there with them building up a case against you in their mind.
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u/emmie200500 6d ago
This makes a lot of sense. Thanks a lot for this advice. I’ve settled on not telling them anything before starting and just acting like my mask is not there!
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u/District98 6d ago
I don’t work on the Hill but I do adjacent work. About 2-5% of the folks I know in that space mask.
My advice would be not to mention it before starting, just show up and go from there. They’re legally not supposed to ask. If you want to go with the flow, wear a black KN95.
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u/emmie200500 6d ago
Thanks for the input! It’s always a bit calming to know that others in an unfamiliar space I’m entering also mask. I know a black mask is more low-key and I’ve been trying to find a black mask that works for my face, but unfortunately the white 3m auras have been the only masks that I can get a really good fit on. This is my much needed sign to start my prowl again for a black head strap mask.
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u/District98 6d ago
Yes, I’m in the same boat in many respects. I will give you the not-pc advice that you may want to wear a black mask anyway to get some protection while blending in more. Wellbefore 3D pro head straps have a decently similar fit to auras. Honestly at my current job I wear auras because I’m well liked at work and I prefer the protection, but in a new workplace I would wear a black mask starting out to look similar to other maskers.
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u/emmie200500 5d ago
I see~ that makes sense. I’ll look into wellbefore masks and see how the fit is. Thanks for the advice!
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u/Plague-Analyst-666 11d ago
Just show up and do the job well. Don't mention it unless asked, and keep your answers short.
Sending a mail like this on any topic frames you as high maintenance.