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what do you do when you are alergic to a co-workers smelly perfune and that perfume is irrateing your asthma or getting you sick. Some people (more women wear perfume) just pour on that perfume and you have to sit next to them. Do you go complain to your boss, get a doctors note of your medical condition, or tell the person to stop wearing that smelly perfume. Why do people have to pour on that perfume , maybe to hide a odor or maybe try to turn on the opposite sex
I have cough variant asthma and some perfumes start to make me cough. I had to get a doctors note on my last job.
I'n not sure if it's illegal to offend someone with perfume or not, but continued offensive behavior at work would get one fired. I'd guess that this isn't your intention, though. I'm a guy, so the only time this has happened to me was a co-worker (a man) came in reeking of cologne. I told him, "I would hope that someone would tell me, so I assume you feel the same way. Your cologne is pretty strong today." He was thankful, it was said as respectful as possible, and it never happened again.
I think it would be appropriate to take her aside and tell her you have an allergy to perfume. If that doesn't work, the doctor's note to your boss.
I think this is pretty good advice. I had a situation in a previous job where a co-worker always lit this obnoxious smelling candle. It was so bad someone way back in the accounting dept. was complaining about it, but they didn't want to say anything either. Finally, I left her a note explaining that the scent bothered me with a gift of another candle (brand I knew she liked and fragrance I liked!) It was embarrassing and awkward, and I hated to have to do it (especially since I couldn't claim that it was a health issue.) But hey, that candle smell was so bad that if I had been forced to continue to endure it, I would have literally had to quit!
Bottom line, the young lady took it very graciously and said she was sorry it bothered me. (I didn't tell her it was even bothering people back in accounting too!) Actually, though, if that had not ended the situation I would have probably told the manager about it. Upper management may have had a rule about burning candles onsite anyway. (Most companies won't allow it because of fire risk.)
Be glad it's just perfume. There's a woman that works in the same building as I do, and you can smell her from at least ten feet away. And it's not cologne or armpits...it's the "I don't bother to wash my private parts" smell. It's so bad you have to hold your breath when she passes.
I was actually one to be the culprit when I was much younger and I've been the 'victim' as well. I didn't find out I was the culprit until someone told me everyone was complaining behind my back. I would have been very cool with someone coming up to me and saying that my perfume was great but that they had a sensitivity to fragrances. As it was, the situation turned out to be humiliating and I lost respect for my co-workers since they could not handle a very simple matter like mature people.
Most of the time, the person has no idea they are annoying someone else. If you approach the person tactfully, they will accommodate you. I know a lot of companies that have a 'fragrance-free' policy. What smells good to one may be repulsive to another. Remember, do it in a very nice way and let them know your allergy is to many fragrances, not just hers. If it doesn't work (I'd be surprised) then asking the boss to make the office fragrance free (w/o naming the person directly) should be a safe way to resolve the matter.
once when I was pregnant, I had that situation come up; your senses are definitely heightened. I just came right out and told her in a nice manner. She did not wear it again and I think I did the whole office a favor.
Simply put the best way is through HR. I had a friend at work who loved rubbing sweet smelling lotion on her hand. I asked her one day, "What your wearing", her reply, "Passion Fruit". She asked don't you like the smell. This is where I kicked her in the gut by telling her, no it really is upsetting my allergy. She stopped rubbing herself every half an hour with that stuff. She switched to a non-smelling brand.
I remember working in a office with someone who stunk so bad of cigarette smoke that my eyes would start watering when she came in the door. She was not a pleasant person either and caused me trouble at every turn. After she had me "wrote up" for turning the lights off when I left the room (no one was there but she didn't like it it she would come back from lunch and find the room dark.) I walked out. I faxed them my resignation letter and worded is something like "because of conditions at xyz that are detrimental to my health and well being, I am resigning my position effective immediately." It was a religious social service agency but I have never seen a more dysfunctional bunch of people in all my life. But, with that said, if you like your job and feel it is worth it to stick it out, perhaps you can be assigned to another office space.
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and awkward, and I hated to have to do it (especially since I couldn't claim that it was a health issue.) But hey, that candle smell was so bad that if I had been forced to continue to endure it, I would have literally had to quit!
(I didn't tell her it was even bothering people back in accounting too!
