Amid multiple complaints and more than 50 confirmed COVID cases among employees, county health officials slapped United Shore with an emergency order this week requiring the company to comply with health and safety rules.
Oakland County Health Officer Leigh-Anne Stafford sent a letter to United Shore and United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Mat Ishbia, demanding the company do more to protect employees.
“The Oakland County Health Division has received numerous complaints that United Shore … is operating a business in direct violation of the Governors Executive Order 2020-161, that requires minimum activities for business operations and Executive Order 2020-153 that requires masks to be worn over the mouth and nose when in an indoor space. In addition, over 50 confirmed cases reported being employees that work for the Pontiac United Shore location,” Stafford wrote.
“The Local Health Officer has determined that controls are necessary to reduce transmission of COVID- 19 to protect the public’s health of Oakland County.”
Specifically, Stafford ordered UWM to:
- Develop and implement a plan to manage and control social/physical distancing (at least 6 feet spacing).
- Ensure employees are wearing facial coverings.
- Develop and implement a daily screening process and stay home when sick policy.
- Encourage working from home, when possible.
Stafford warned, “Failure to cooperate in all of the actions described above is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or a fine of not more than $200.00 a day, or both.”
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The Detroit Free Press reported that Stafford said United Shore is the first company in Oakland County to have more than 50 employees test positive for COVID, though a company spokesperson told the newspaper that the company “has reviewed Stafford’s order and believes the company is in full compliance with its requests.”