Smoking co worker

[DebbieB]

I would speak to her directly first. I'm sure she would appreciate that more than going straight to the boss. If she doesn't want to cooperate, then go to the boss. It's not unreasonable to ask her not to come into your office right after smoking.

I think a lot of smokers don't realize how bad it is. My aunt lives with a woman who smokes. Anything that comes out of their house reeks even if she doesn't smoke in the house.

 

[NaLisa]

Is it possible she puts her butts back in her cigarette pack to avoid littering and/or because most cars these days don't have an ashtray? I know someone who does that and it leaves a very strong cigarette smoke smell from the pack, not from her.

 

[pixiewings71]

Cigarette smoke can make my airways start to close down, this in turn can (and has) lead to an asthma attack, I have no idea if allergic is the correct term but when I was talking to my Dr about it she simply said to avoid it if possible and to use that term to describe it. We don't smoke but we have a few friends who do, they all go outside to smoke (at their own homes as well as at ours) and I've never had a problem. We were at the aquarium once and we went outside onto the deck to look for otters (Monterey Bay Aquarium) and this guy came out and started smoking next to us, we moved away but he followed us around, it's illegal to smoke in CA within a certain distance of a doorway but he didn't seem to care. DBF told him he needed to put his cigarette out, the guy got belligerent, started cussing and calling us (even the kids) all names and cursing very loudly, I told this guy "I'm sorry we are so mean but you smoking is making it difficult for me to breathe, either put it out or move so I can leave the area" (he was in front of the door and I was feeling a tightness in my chest by now) and he continued to yell at us, I moved the girls towards another door and he followed me, started blowing the smoke in my direction, calling me all kinds of names, telling my kids that they were spoiled because I was a witch (other word) and wouldn't expose them to his smoke. As he moved away DBF saw an employee walk by with a security guard (luckily for us) and he was able to get in the door and call out to them, he told them what was going on and the security guard came out and made the guy put out his cigarette, then he escorted him out of the area because it was very clear the guy was harassing me. The employee made sure we were OK and then walked me to an area I could sit and simply concentrate on breathing until I felt better. It was kind of scary to be honest. So yes, cigarette smoke (sometimes campfire smoke) can cause issues for me.
OP in your situation I would just explain to your co-worker that the smoke is affecting you and ask her to please keep that in mind before entering your office space. And yes, maybe a small air purifier will help as well. If she got rude then I would go to the boss about it but I'd address it with her first.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh for goodness sake Relating a story about someone actually smoking near you is NOT what the OP is talking about Don't turn this into mean I don't give a damn smoker vs you

I still do NOT get how living with a smoker is fine but a brief encounter with a co-worker is a problem I call bull unless he is basically stripping down & showering haz-mat style prior to even greeting her every time he comes into the house

Of course people are allergic to smoke As I said I do, but put me near a wood burning stove, a bon-fire, etc and I feel it too my eyes burn my chest hurts

 

[ronandannette]

Why would you go to your boss? Just tell her you are sensitive to the smell of smoke and ask her if she can not come in your office immediately after smoking.

The co worker works out side the office so she is only here less than 30 minutes a day unless there is a meeting. I think I may say something to her next time she reeks. It is bad enough that I have had to take paperwork she turns in and copy it and shred her originals. My office is kind of the hub so everyone comes in here at least once a day for something. I can't ask her to not come into my office. I guess I could just say hey I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Could you wait a while after smoking before coming into my office? I start to wheeze when I am around it.

Yes, yes you could. And why wouldn't you? The lady you describe as being "very sweet" likely has no idea and would probably prefer NOT to be accidentally harming you. Geesh, just say something to her! If the tables were turned would YOU prefer to hear it from the boss?

 

[Allison]

I still do NOT get how living with a smoker is fine but a brief encounter with a co-worker is a problem I call bull unless he is basically stripping down & showering haz-mat style prior to even greeting her every time he comes into the house

I am also trying to understand how having a spouse that smokes in the same way the coworker does-in a vehicle or outside is not a problem but the coworker is. I would think it would be consistent.

Going to the boss is the wrong thing to do. OP-Talk to the coworker. It is best to work it out with her.

 

[scrapquitler]

I guess I could just say hey I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Could you wait a while after smoking before coming into my office? I start to wheeze when I am around it.

This sounds just about perfect. A simple, straightforward solution that faces the problem straight on and without involving the boss. She probably has no idea that the smoke smell affects you that way and she will probably be very gracious and accommodating after you speak with her. If it doesn't help, then you consider other options.

 

[Tinijocaro]

It is not 3rd hand smoke. If she was sitting in the car with the co-worker, yes. Being in the same room 10 mins AFTER they are done smoking is not 3rd hand smoke. Did you even read what OP posted???

Just curious if you speak to people in real life this way? Nasty.

 

[KatheeME]

OP - I'd just ask the co worker to stop coming into your office immediately after smoking because of your medical issues. Most smokers are pretty considerate and understand.

If she's following the policy the company has in regards to smoking there really isn't anything else you can do.



Good luck with that. I certainly wouldn't want to be 'that' employee.

They aren't lepers. If they're following the guidelines put forth they have just as much right to smoke as you have in your choice not to. I have a hard time with smoke as well, but if she's following company policy she's not doing anything wrong.

No, they do not have the right to expose me to second or third hand smoke. Can I give them my dry cleaning bills too?

Smoke if you want, but don't expose me to it.

 

[KatheeME]

I agree with aaarcher. No rules are being broken, they aren't second class citizens. I have the same problem with women who wear telegraphing fragrances--you can smell their perfume coming 10 minutes in advance. Would you ask that person not to enter your office?

Our practice also has a fragrance free policy, to perfume and scented flowers due to allergies.

 

[shortbun]

Ask your boss and that co-worker to split the cost of a small air purifier for your office with you. Or, to not rock the boat and have awkwardness in the work place, buy a small one yourself.

This is a great idea. You can get a small one for around $60 and then you'd have it when you travel. Ask your co-worker to stay out of your office; explain about having to use your inhaler because you are so allergic and tell her you've gotten an air purifier but it won't touch what she carries into you office quickly enough. Maybe she'll get the hint and brush her hair/clothes before she walks into the office. I smoked from age 16 to 32 and still can't get over the fact that I must have really stunk! Hope you can get it solved. Try to do it yourself before you take it any higher. Bosses do not appreciate employees who can't at least try to take care of things themselves. ETA I have asked people with lots of perfume not to walk into my office. I asked them to stay outside the boundary of the door because I am allergic to fragrance so badly that I can immediately taste it. It's awful.

 

[sam_gordon]

Our practice also has a fragrance free policy, to perfume and scented flowers due to allergies.

And if the OP's workplace doesn't have a similar policy, it doesn't matter, the coworker isn't breaking any rules.

 

[KatheeME]

It's called "third hand smoke" and it's a real thing. Google it.

Yes, it is very real. I work in a pediatric pulmonary office, and see the effects all too many times on the kids. Sad.

 

[KatheeME]

It is not 3rd hand smoke. If she was sitting in the car with the co-worker, yes.

Being in the same room 10 mins AFTER they are done smoking is not 3rd hand smoke.

Did you even read what OP posted???

Yes, it is, and it is real.

 

[shortbun]

I don't think an air freshener would work unless I set it right on my desk between me and her. My husband smokes but only outside. He smokes in his car all the time as he is in sales and drives quit a bit. I never smell it on him. I don't know what she smokes or how many but she reeks.

I drove a school bus and could tell when kids had smoked on their way to their stops. How can you not smell the smoke on your husband?

 

[tasha99]

For the most part, cigarette smoke and the smell of smoke on others doesn't bother me, but I had a coworker years ago whose post smoking smell would make me lose my voice. Working in a call center that was a bad thing. I don't actually think it was cigarette smoke on her--she would come in from her break smelling like Lysol, and I think she was spraying something to get rid of the smoke smell. Awful.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I drove a school bus and could tell when kids had smoked on their way to their stops. How can you not smell the smoke on your husband?

I agree. How do you not smell it on your spouse???? I smell it on someone right away!

If your workplace does not have a scent-free policy in place, then im afraid that there's nothing you can do to prevent this person from smoking. What you can do is prevent her from coming into your office. Simply explain to her your sensitivity to smoke.

 

[tina.tina]

Since OP's DH smokes, maybe she can tolerate it to a certain point but the co-worker is way past that point?

I can think of a reason one person may smell more like smoke than another. If a person works outside and sweats, he doesn't smell as bad as someone who works up a sweat, doesn't bathe, and then works up a sweat again. A person who smokes and doesn't bathe as often smells worse than someone who bathes regularly.

It's not like I get really close to BIL (like I'm assuming OP does to her DH), but I didn't know he was smoking again until my sister told me. I didn't smell smoke on him. My sister (and her kids, too) does not "allow" him to smoke in their house or in her car. He smokes in his car, though.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

It is not 3rd hand smoke. If she was sitting in the car with the co-worker, yes.

Being in the same room 10 mins AFTER they are done smoking is not 3rd hand smoke.

Did you even read what OP posted???

Actually, that's second hand smoke. Third hand smoke is when the smoke and all of its chemicals remain in clothing, furniture, and other surfaces. According to the mayo clinic, "this residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix. This toxic mix of thirdhand smoke contains cancer-causing substances, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers who are exposed to it, especially children."

 

[Missy1961]

Since OP's DH smokes, maybe she can tolerate it to a certain point but the co-worker is way past that point?

I can think of a reason one person may smell more like smoke than another. If a person works outside and sweats, he doesn't smell as bad as someone who works up a sweat, doesn't bathe, and then works up a sweat again. A person who smokes and doesn't bathe as often smells worse than someone who bathes regularly.

It's not like I get really close to BIL (like I'm assuming OP does to her DH), but I didn't know he was smoking again until my sister told me. I didn't smell smoke on him. My sister (and her kids, too) does not "allow" him to smoke in their house or in her car. He smokes in his car, though.

I would think it would be the other way - she spends more time with her husband and gets closer to him than to the co-worker. I'm actually starting to suspect she doesn't like this co-worker and thus, the smoking bothers her. I saw that many years ago. Back in the dark ages, people could smoke at their desks. I worked with a few smokers - one guy everyone loved and a few others that no-one liked. People never complained about smoker A, but the others were complained about all the time. Mind over matter I guess.

Again-if the co-worker isn't breaking any rules or laws do not involve the boss. Discuss it one-on-one with her. And I don't think it's fair to ask her to pay for any air cleaning products - it's your issue. If the situation is that bad, ask her to step out of your office. And have you ever told her that you've made copies of her paperwork? That wouldn't thrill me if you did that.