Work dilemma...

[Lindeer]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post on this forum, although I've been "lurking" and just reading posts for quite some time. Quick intro and background on me- I'm a 33 year old woman who was diagnosed with adult onset asthma 2 years ago (non- allergic). My main symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath and tight chest. It took quite some time to find the right steroid inhaler an dose to get it under control, but felt like I was doing pretty well.

But this March I had to go on a short course of oral steroids after 3 weeks of a flare up that just wouldn't settle. I felt much better after that, but have felt much worse again the past few weeks.

My Dr doubled my steroid inhaler dose last Friday but so far it hasn't helped. I'm also reacting much more to perfume and smoke triggers, which has become problematic at work. I work in the reception at a medical office, but my boss wears heavy perfume and I sit very close to her. Many of the patients also come in drenched in perfume/cologne or cigarette smoke.

I used to live in Sweden, where many doctor's offices did not allow perfumes to be worn due to allergies etc. I live in Hawaii now and I don't know how to talk to my boss about this.

It's a relatively new job, and she knows I have asthma but doesn't seem to think it's anything serious. I'm needing my ventolin on a daily basis at the moment, and really, really don't want to have to take oral steroids again. Any thoughts on what I could say to my boss without seeming like a complainer? I really like the job otherwise and want to stay.

Wow, sorry for making this so long, if you got this far, thanks for listening 🤣

[Hidden]

It doesnt sound like non allergic asthma if you react to perfume and cigarette smoke.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I also have non-allergic asthma and react to both of these along with other scents. My understanding is that these triggers, along with other respiratory 'irritants' such as paint, cause asthma by a pathway that acts more directly on cells in the airways, leading to bronchoconstriction, rather than by pathways associated with allergic/IgE-mediated response. That's a basic overview, but it confused me too so I read up on it a bit. I think in general anything that triggers asthma is often just referred as an 'allergy' even if it's not really. I try to say trigger to avoid this though can understand saying allergy at times if it's easier for others to understand.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Lysistrata]

Sorry Lindeer not very useful for your original query! I was wondering if there is any kind of worker's advice line or resource you could ask about how? I appreciate you want to handle it sensitively re your boss which is tricky.

[hilary39]

That's so hard because you might not be able to change the behavior of the people around you. I worked in an office with a ton of mold in the walls (you could smell it and everyone was sick and had breathing issues in that area all the time) and had a really hard time getting even that addressed :/ Can you check your work handbook and the OSHA and ADA guidelines? That might give you some good context for what you can reasonably ask from HR and your boss.

Good luck! Sounds so frustrating-

[strongmouse]

I can empathise with your difficulty. I have allergies, and food intolerance, plus chemical sensitivites. These can effect my asthma, along with migraines and feeling ill. Being sensitve to chemicals is not usually an allergy as such but it can have serious health effects. Perfumes in the air can act as irritants because of the VOCs - volatile organic compounds - and they are usually a mixture of artificial chemicals.

In Canada it is recognised as a potential health risk at work and they have devised information and policy advice. Unfortunatly most other countries don't officially recognise it. The perfume industry is big business!

Here is a link to one of the Canadian websites - ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprogr...

Note they are seen as environmental sensitivities or chemical sensitivities. It gives advice on working with your employer to create a scent free work environment.

I'd suggest that you find a few pages of research / information on the health risks of inhaling perfumes. Ask your manager or Occupational Health Manager if you can discuss a health issue with them and give them the information explaining how it effects you. I have no idea what the Health and Safety regulations or Disability Regulations are like in Hawaii. You may want to check that out.

Be assertive but not aggresive. Consider that you are simply drawing their attention to a health issue, but recognise that it may be difficult for them to know how to accomodate your needs. Look for alternatives. Can you work away from your colleagues? Could you use a hepa air filter on your desk? Can you work from home? Explore all the options open to you. That way they will know that you are trying to make it work for both you and your employer, and colleagues.

[Lindeer]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind and thoughtful replies!

As it is a small private clinic there is no HR or even a handbook, but I will definitly do some research on Hawaii's workplace regulations etc to see if there is anything there I can refer to when i get the courage to bring it up to my boss.

I'd love to be able to work from home, or further away from my boss, but it isn't an option at the moment I'm afraid.

Hopefully I can figure out a way to get my message across sensitiveley, because being constantly exposed to triggers can't be good in the long run. Thanks again everyone for taking the time to reply to my question❤