Posted by violala
on Tue 11 Apr 06, 5:01 PM to violala's blog.
A colleague at work asked me to stop wearing my favourite perfume to work as it was giving them headaches. To make things more pleasant I stopped wearing it and changed perfumes. I tried a couple but one I felt was too strong so found another one I liked and wore to work.
This obviously did not help although I was not told this but was made to feel awful in the office. When I walked in a fan was being turned on and pointed directly at me, even when I was very ill with a cold. When I asked for it to be turned off or re directed as I was shivering with the cold as I had a draft all down one side I was given a horrible look and made to suffer.
Today it came to a head and I was told that I cannot wear any perfume because it makes this individual ill, and this person has now moved into an office on their own and shut the door. This is not by management but by this individual.
I have been made to suffer and am being ignored by all my colleagues. At no stage was I informed that my other perfumes were causing problems and now dread going into work because of the treatment I am going to get that day. Other than that I love my job.
Do I take it further or do I just stop wearing perfume or continue like nothing has happened?
Edited to add
On days when I don't wear perfume only a perfumed body lotion I still get the same treatment.
Edited Tue 11 Apr 06, 5:50 PM by violala
| 11 Apr 06, 7:12 PM alexandraa UK(NW), 8 yrs  |
Some perfumes and their lotions are very strong and can cause allergic reactions. I've suffered before now from a colleague wearing a perfume that made me nauseous and headachy. I wear perfume myself everyday but wear light toned citrusy stuff such as Clarins. All just fresh smelling and barely noticeable. In your situation I'd just stop wearing anything for work. What does it matter after all? It'll save you money too. Then as soon as anyone says anything or makes a joke it's clear their behaviour is about bullying and not about perfume.
Be careful what you wish for | |
| 11 Apr 06, 7:37 PM Miss_Diagnosis UK(MK), 8 yrs |
Hmm that kinda sucks for you as I suspect that you think there is more to it than perfume? I think the idea to not wear anything strong smelling to work for a while and see if your treatment differs is a good one - although it is a shame for you to have to behave differently - it might allow you to see whether 'perfume' is indeed the issue. I have to confess to having an allergic reaction to some perfumes and to sneeze ridiculously on exposure to them - It can be a real pain at work sometimes - I have to avoid being too near to the person wearing it. Some perfumes also trigger hemiplagic migraines in me so i've got to be careful with those too! It all depends how well ventilated an area is how severe the reaction is - it can be a real pain - but I try not to make the person wearing the perfume feel uncomfortable! Luckily I'm very seldom working with the same people each day so I can usually ride it out for a day here and there... So I guess I'm sympathising on both parts a tad - perhaps someone out there has the same reactions to a perfume that I wear and doesn't like to mention it! Hope you get it sorted one way or another. xxx http://www.glasgowmunch.org.uk/ http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/glasgow_munch/ | |
| 11 Apr 06, 8:15 PM quirky 7 yrs |
If the person was pleasnt to you after you stopped wearing it then i would say well things are ok. Do you think its the perfume? Or do you think they have taken a dislike too you? Do you feel like a victim?
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| 11 Apr 06, 9:45 PM anghara UK(E), 7 yrs |
Firstly, and from a strictly legal point of view, write down each day, which perfume you wear, or if you wear none at all. Keep a diary of the reactions you get to each perfume, or even if you get the same reactions wearing none. Do this for a month. At the end of the month, having worn no perfume for at least one week, speak to your line manager if the treatment of you is still continuing. If the person complaining has not made a formal complaint, and has not informed the line manager that they are having difficulties, this will forestall any action that they can take. You need to speak to someone within the organisation that you TRUST. They can be an independant witness if needs be, and attend any meetings with management that you go to about this. I know it sounds daft, and petty, and even a little bit pedantic, but if you are faced with a disciplinary procedure over the wearing of perfume, and believe me it has happened before and no doubt will again, then your diary, and the independant witness may well work in your favour and lead to action against the complainant instead. If this is indeed bullying in the workplace, your records will be your evidence against them. Do not do nothing, do not ignore the threat, if you love your job and you want to keep it, then please do it. oh, and try to stay relaxed and not stress on it. At the end of the day, you are only responsible for your own happiness, you can not be held or made to feel responsible for someone else unless you let them do it. Take control and remember that if they are unhappy outside of work, they could be bringing that into the office. It is NOT your problem, neither is it your fault.... Smile, even if it kills you to do it, and be happy regardless. First, and above all other rules, DO NO HARM. | |
| 11 Apr 06, 10:31 PM violala 10 yrs |
Many thanks for all your comments and advice. I am not going to wear perfume the rest of this week to work and see if there is a different reaction from this individual, but I doubt that there will be. I do think that there is something else, have my suspicions. v x |
