Question from Sus D
Hi Debra,
I work with people who have worked with me when I contracted fragrance allergies, they refuse to stop using their fragranced lotions and work in my office before I get there.
We have a policy addressing this but isn’t enforced even by HR department.
I work in a health care facility and it has gotten bad over the last five years. we have customers that have fragrance allergies also.
Why do the leaders let this happen with these employees who don’t seem to care about anyone but themselves. the leaders are aware, I know of one family that has wrote letters addressing the issue.
I was told I didn’t have the right to ask people to not use their product and the only manager that has tried to help feels like his hands are tied due to no one else caring to enforce the policy.
is their any organization to contact. already contacted JAN. Any advice. the manager wants to get me and the one that works in the office before me to met and have a discussion. I say it won’t help cuz she already knows and has know since the beginning but will not stop.
Debra’s Answer
Readers, anyone have a similar experience? Any advice?
Here is a page from The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation with many links regarding fragrance-free policies
I understand you have a policy and need help getting it enforced.
Here are some other resources that might help with enforcement. Some of them address refusal to comply. You might contact any of these organizations for help with your situation.
SAVVY WOMAN’S ALLIANCE: Five Friendly Fragrance-Free Signs
New ADA Guidelines for Fragrance Sensitivity Explained | Labor Law
Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Fragrance ..
I was forced to resign from a City of Seattle job because there was no enforcement and even HR sent in an inspector to examine all “things” in the workplace–pens, pencils, toner, etc. but would not include fragrance being worn. Employees said I was interfering with their rights. I had two ER visits from exposure but they didn’t care. HR tried to cover their butts with lots of emails and letters. As I understand it, now there is a policy. Medical offices post “no fragrance” signs. One of our community colleges had a no fragrance policy because they had a faculty member with MCS. There is a lot of information on the toxicity of fragrances. They used to post information on the EPA website but DT has probably removed all of that. I even stopped my subscription to the Seattle Times after complaining at least 10 times about the Macy’s ads with fragrance soaked samples. I now have only a digital subscription. They always apologized and promised it would never happen again but it did. I do not prefer the digital to the actual paper but I can take the exposure.