Odors at work

[fidgiegirl]

Argh. I knew this was going to come up. Someone has started using a really stinky bathroom freshener spray in our teeny one-holer across from my office. The whole hall stinks. Artificial scents usually send me into a headache - luckily today it didn't. But I was sneezing and coughing my way through the bathroom use. I'll have to walk all the way to the other end of the building, turning a two-minute bathroom trip into a 10 minute trip. Argh, just writing this sounds so whiny, which is maybe why this particular gripe can be so off-putting to people who aren't bothered by these odors. I can only guess, because I ain't one of those people.

Hence - how can I *effectively* ask for this ick to be removed from the bathroom?

Obstacle? At happy hour they have talked about some previous employee who didn't want this yuck in the bathroom and how she'd throw it away and they'd just buy a new one!! OMG! This is why I knew I'd be facing this situation at some point! Didn't say anything at the time but knew it would just be a matter of time. At least at my old school we had a scent-free policy. It didn't have to be about what anyone wanted or liked or didn't. The policy was the neutral "bad guy." Here, nope. Just have to rely on my coworkers to be good people about this and not sure that I can because of the happy hour joking around. Although they didn't like that woman, anyway, and I'm pretty sure I have more social capital than she did . . . ew. ew ew ew I hate these situations!!!!!!!!!!! :sick::sick::sick:

[Gardenarian]

Ugh, I hate that too. Makes me feel like I'm choking!
Wish I had a solution for you! Yuck.

[SteveinMN]

Hence - how can I *effectively* ask for this ick to be removed from the bathroom?
A relative of mine (in another state) is particularly sensitive to fragrances. She has learned that such sensitivity can be considered a "handicap" which must be accommodated under ADA. You can simply ask whoever is next up in the supervisory line to have it removed. If they're not the ones, they'll bump it up until the right person is found. You're not asking for every fragrance to be removed; just this offensive one -- at least for now. You don't need to address every possible fragrance at the moment, just this one. If you're willing to do the work and identify a deodorizer which you can tolerate, you certainly could suggest that Strong Fragrance be replaced with that. But, at the very least, they need to remove Strong Fragrance.

[goldensmom]

Sounds like an issue that needs to be addressed by management because if it is making some sick it is a health issue. In an office I worked in we had a volunteer who had deplorable personal hygiene to the point of making some nauseous. Employees brought up the issue with her direct supervisor who did nothing so it had to go to higher up where it was dealt with.

[Lainey]

I'd start with posting a small note, along the lines of "would whoever left the air freshener spray please remove it? Some employees here have strong allergies and cannot tolerate it. thanks"

[Life_is_Simple]

I have chemical sensitivities, quite bad, so I had to use the ADA at a previous job. They were renovating, and the paints and glues did me in. So by that time, I couldn't tolerate certain lesser chemicals either.

One of the bathrooms was designated where the harsh sprays couldn't be used. When I got the ok on that, I brought my own spray in which is Pure Citrus (http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/blue_magic/products/193/pure_citrus_blend/). Then I created a sign, saying to use that spray only in that particular bathroom. People were ok with it, because it smells really good - just like a person eating an orange, and is natural.

[Miss Cellane]

Is someone responsible for putting the spray in the bathroom? Can you just ask them to use a less stinky spray? Maybe give them some suggestions as to what works for you?

Or is some random employee putting the spray there because they want it? Then you should go to your supervisor and explain your problem and ask that a less stinky spray be used, and that the team be informed of this, without identifying you. You should point out the loss of work time due to walking to the far away bathroom.

If that doesn't work, go to HR. They might require a doctor's note in order to do anything. The note does not have to state what your medical condition is, just that you have one. Then it needs to state what accommodations are necessary--no artificial scents within 100 feet of your workspace, for example.

Again, your co-workers will need to be told, but with HIPPA these days, they cannot be told who is responsible for the changes or what the medical condition is.

[creaker]

I'd go with the note. It can be a difficult situation, though. Many people who use products like this really get desensitized to them, and don't know how overpowering they can be.

I had a coworker once who perfumed herself like this - you could tell which corridors and rooms she had been in by the residual smell. A walking air freshener :-(

[SteveinMN]

I had a coworker once who perfumed herself like this - you could tell which corridors and rooms she had been in by the residual smell. A walking air freshener :-(
I had occasion to work with one of those, too. :( But "air freshener" is not the term that came to mind...

[sweetana3]

We went to a B&B once and when we explained that the cleaning solution they used overpowered the room and would cause us not to come back, they changed them all. It is so pleasant now at our retreat to not have the smells from cleaning and the rooms are still clean.

One thing that sets off our asthma is burning things. Hubby could not sleep well last night because I burned something on the bottom of the stove and we had to use the clean cycle. I have had to leave workplaces when someone burned their popcorn in the microwave. Husband once had to be put on oxygen due to an accidental burning in the galley of an aircraft.

[Dhiana]

What about a fan? Aren't those 'nice' smelling sprays to cover up the yucky smells? And couldn't they simply be eliminated by a decent fan?

[Gardenarian]

I think if Fidgie puts up a note, they'll all know who it's from (though it is not in any way an unreasonable request.)
There's some natural air freshener they sell at the healthfood store (truly natural - mildy scented with essential oils.) I wonder if they'd be willing to change?

[jp1]

I agree with speaking with your supervisor, and then if necessary HR. Let them fail at their job before resorting to notes left in the bathroom.

I completely sympathize with you. I can't stand chemically smells. Thankfully I'm not made physically ill, but nonetheless I get completely creeped out since i'm sure they're covering up something that's probably worse smelling, but at least natural and harmless, which I'm not so sure chemical air "fresheners" are.

[rodeosweetheart]

I am also chemically sensitive with asthma, so I hear your pain.

What if you go to HR and request an air cleaner for the bathroom and for your office? They can help sometimes.

[fidgiegirl]

Well good thing I held off on making a "stink" about it - hahaha - because my coworker helped me establish that it's not the spray at all but rather the toilet cleaner used by maintenance! Since I am rarely there at the time the toilets are cleaned, I can suck it up. Thanks for all your advice!!