Smoking co worker

[poohfriend77]

I'm not even sure making the workplace go smoke free would help (even if the co-worker worked at the office). I cannot imagine that a workplace could make a rule insisting on no smoking ever - the most they could do is no smoking on office property. People could still smoke on their way to office (or simply walk just off property and smoke), which would still be a problem for the OP.

The hospital (and clinics) in my town are actually trying to do this. No smoking anywhere on any of their campuses, but they actually added the rule that even smelling of smoke is grounds for discipline/dismissal.

I have no idea how they enforce it or if anyone has lost a job because of the rule.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

The hospital (and clinics) in my town are actually trying to do this. No smoking anywhere on any of their campuses, but they actually added the rule that even smelling of smoke is grounds for discipline/dismissal.

I have no idea how they enforce it or if anyone has lost a job because of the rule.

Dell is located where I used to live. They had a policy of no smoking on their property. It was amusing to walk by their huge corporate office and see so many people standing on the sidewalk by the street smoking because that was city property where they could smoke.

 

[Colleen27]

The hospital (and clinics) in my town are actually trying to do this. No smoking anywhere on any of their campuses, but they actually added the rule that even smelling of smoke is grounds for discipline/dismissal.

I have no idea how they enforce it or if anyone has lost a job because of the rule.

Around here there are a few places that do drug testing for nicotine and won't hire/will terminate anyone who tests positive. I personally know one non-smoker who lost her job to the policy, probably because she's married to a smoker. Personally I think that's going a step to far - it isn't about smoke any more when you're excluding people using the patch, gum, or e-cigs to quit, along with anyone who lives with a loved one who smokes.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I hate the smell of smoke...I have very bad asthma and second hand smoke has had terrible effects on me in the past...

HOWEVER - Going to the boss is just a slimy and disgusting way to go about it. This is what the culture teaches us today...to get other people in trouble because we don't like what they do.

I am in the boat of "talk to the co-worker about it!" More than likely, they will be reasonable. If they are not, be a little more stern the next time. It should not go to the boss, unless you are requesting to move your desk.

'Tis my opinion.

 

[Myothername]

Wow. Y'all got ugly fast. All I asked was opinions about what to do in my situation. I had actually forgotten I posted on here and was just browsing today and saw I had generated 6 pages of posts.

Yes, it is a health issue. When someone comes into my office smelling like cigarette smoke strong enough that it makes me have an asthma attack, I call that a health issue.

I mentioned it to my husband the other day why I can smell her smoke so bad but not his. He smokes in his car all the time. But I don't even smell it in his car if I drive it later. He said it is the brand of cigarettes. He smokes an expensive all natural brand, American Spirit. They don't smell as strongly. Also, my assistant said she has seen this coworker sit in her car for 30 minutes or so smoking the entire time with the windows up. So yes it is going to smell when she walks immediately into my office.

We don't have a real smoking policy except no smoking in the building. She complies with that. It is just the smell is so strong when she comes inside it is like she is smoking right at my desk.

As far as my screen name, I have 2 on here because my original one would be easy to identify me if a friend happened to be on here. And once a few years ago someone who lives near me was on here because we discussed a crime in the area. I use this name now because I didn't want that person to know who i was and i am to lazy to switch back and forth.

No I did not start this to get a cigarette smoke debate going. But for the record, I am very much anti smoking especially since I have developed asthma because of it.

As far as me thinking I live in a perfect universe and should not be offended, never said that. But it is my office. I think I have the right to not have to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day because someone chooses to smoke heavily just before walking into my office. And also I have noticed that after a couple of hours her smell goes away. They had a meeting this week (after she came into my office and I had to walk out) and when it was over I didn't smell her.

95% of the time she comes into my office is just to sit in front of my desk and do paperwork that could be done elsewhere. I am polite tho and don't tell people to get out of my office. I am a polite person. I would not hurt her feelings for anything in the world. That is why I asked for advice of what to say to her. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I don't want to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day either.

As far as me being a hypchontriac, this has been going on for years. I didn't want to go to the doctor for it because I hate to take medicine. But when I was in for a checkup it was right after the last time I had been wheezing 24 hours after she came in smelling like cigarette smoke so it was fresh on my mind. He wants to send me to a pulmonologist and I have resisted because I have crappy insurance and will have to pay for it and because I don't want to admit I may have a lung problem.

 

[m3retired]

I am a polite person. I would not hurt her feelings for anything in the world.

But you'd complain to the boss about her??

 

[LisaInNc]

The hospital (and clinics) in my town are actually trying to do this. No smoking anywhere on any of their campuses, but they actually added the rule that even smelling of smoke is grounds for discipline/dismissal.

I have no idea how they enforce it or if anyone has lost a job because of the rule.

My college has a no smoking policy. No smoking anywhere on campus at any time. It does not stop the smokers they just have to be a lot more creative than standing outside of a building.

I really agree with the posting that you can't do anything about it. It's her life and she does on her own time in her own car. I don't think there is anything you can do about it. Like too much perfume or bad BO sometimes you just have to deal with it.

Lisa

 

[disney4us2002]

Wow. Y'all got ugly fast. All I asked was opinions about what to do in my situation. I had actually forgotten I posted on here and was just browsing today and saw I had generated 6 pages of posts.

Yes, it is a health issue. When someone comes into my office smelling like cigarette smoke strong enough that it makes me have an asthma attack, I call that a health issue.

I mentioned it to my husband the other day why I can smell her smoke so bad but not his. He smokes in his car all the time. But I don't even smell it in his car if I drive it later. He said it is the brand of cigarettes. He smokes an expensive all natural brand, American Spirit. They don't smell as strongly. Also, my assistant said she has seen this coworker sit in her car for 30 minutes or so smoking the entire time with the windows up. So yes it is going to smell when she walks immediately into my office.

We don't have a real smoking policy except no smoking in the building. She complies with that. It is just the smell is so strong when she comes inside it is like she is smoking right at my desk.

As far as my screen name, I have 2 on here because my original one would be easy to identify me if a friend happened to be on here. And once a few years ago someone who lives near me was on here because we discussed a crime in the area. I use this name now because I didn't want that person to know who i was and i am to lazy to switch back and forth.

No I did not start this to get a cigarette smoke debate going. But for the record, I am very much anti smoking especially since I have developed asthma because of it.

As far as me thinking I live in a perfect universe and should not be offended, never said that. But it is my office. I think I have the right to not have to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day because someone chooses to smoke heavily just before walking into my office. And also I have noticed that after a couple of hours her smell goes away. They had a meeting this week (after she came into my office and I had to walk out) and when it was over I didn't smell her.

95% of the time she comes into my office is just to sit in front of my desk and do paperwork that could be done elsewhere. I am polite tho and don't tell people to get out of my office. I am a polite person. I would not hurt her feelings for anything in the world. That is why I asked for advice of what to say to her. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I don't want to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day either.

As far as me being a hypchontriac, this has been going on for years. I didn't want to go to the doctor for it because I hate to take medicine. But when I was in for a checkup it was right after the last time I had been wheezing 24 hours after she came in smelling like cigarette smoke so it was fresh on my mind. He wants to send me to a pulmonologist and I have resisted because I have crappy insurance and will have to pay for it and because I don't want to admit I may have a lung problem.

I'm having trouble with the bolded. I don't know that particular brand of cigarette but I just can't wrap my head around your dh smoking in his car all day and you don't smell it when you drive it. My son is a smoker and his job took him away for 6 months. We tried EVERYTHING to rid his car of the smell of cigarette smoke. We even had it professionally detailed - nope. I could smell smoke in it and on my clothes til the day we finally sold it.

 

[Hrhpd]

Wow. Y'all got ugly fast. All I asked was opinions about what to do in my situation. I had actually forgotten I posted on here and was just browsing today and saw I had generated 6 pages of posts.

Yes, it is a health issue. When someone comes into my office smelling like cigarette smoke strong enough that it makes me have an asthma attack, I call that a health issue.

I mentioned it to my husband the other day why I can smell her smoke so bad but not his. He smokes in his car all the time. But I don't even smell it in his car if I drive it later. He said it is the brand of cigarettes. He smokes an expensive all natural brand, American Spirit. They don't smell as strongly. Also, my assistant said she has seen this coworker sit in her car for 30 minutes or so smoking the entire time with the windows up. So yes it is going to smell when she walks immediately into my office.

We don't have a real smoking policy except no smoking in the building. She complies with that. It is just the smell is so strong when she comes inside it is like she is smoking right at my desk.

As far as my screen name, I have 2 on here because my original one would be easy to identify me if a friend happened to be on here. And once a few years ago someone who lives near me was on here because we discussed a crime in the area. I use this name now because I didn't want that person to know who i was and i am to lazy to switch back and forth.

No I did not start this to get a cigarette smoke debate going. But for the record, I am very much anti smoking especially since I have developed asthma because of it.

As far as me thinking I live in a perfect universe and should not be offended, never said that. But it is my office. I think I have the right to not have to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day because someone chooses to smoke heavily just before walking into my office. And also I have noticed that after a couple of hours her smell goes away. They had a meeting this week (after she came into my office and I had to walk out) and when it was over I didn't smell her.

95% of the time she comes into my office is just to sit in front of my desk and do paperwork that could be done elsewhere. I am polite tho and don't tell people to get out of my office. I am a polite person. I would not hurt her feelings for anything in the world. That is why I asked for advice of what to say to her. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I don't want to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day either.

As far as me being a hypchontriac, this has been going on for years. I didn't want to go to the doctor for it because I hate to take medicine. But when I was in for a checkup it was right after the last time I had been wheezing 24 hours after she came in smelling like cigarette smoke so it was fresh on my mind. He wants to send me to a pulmonologist and I have resisted because I have crappy insurance and will have to pay for it and because I don't want to admit I may have a lung problem.

So, let me get this straight?

You have a possible medical condition worse than asthma? Your doctor wants you to see a specialist? But you don't want to go because you may have to take medicine and you hate taking medicine?

So, instead of taking care of your medical issues and possibly take meds that might help you, your solution is to have everybody else cater to you?

You would go to your boss and complain about your co-worker before you would take care of your problems medically?

Before you go to your boss, I would highly suggest you first explore your own medical options.

 

[joviroxx]

OP, Im confused. From what I understand about third hand smoke, its about the residue/chemicals left behind by the actual smoke. The danger comes from what the smoke left behind, not the actual smell.

If that's the case, whether or not your husband smells like cigarettes, I would think you would have the same reaction being around him. The residue is there as well, so you would be "allergic" to that to. So, either you just hate the smell or you have a sensitivity to the residue which, then, you should have your husband quit as well.

If its just the smell you can't take, just let your co-worker know, no biggie.

 

[maxiesmom]

So, let me get this straight?

You have a possible medical condition worse than asthma? Your doctor wants you to see a specialist? But you don't want to go because you may have to take medicine and you hate taking medicine?

So, instead of taking care of your medical issues and possibly take meds that might help you, your solution is to have everybody else cater to you?

You would go to your boss and complain about your co-worker before you would take care of your problems medically?

Before you go to your boss, I would highly suggest you first explore your own medical options.

 

[Warren325]

I think its better to speak to your co-worker about it ather than involve the boss in it.

 

[Disney Doll]

Talk to the coworker. Tell her you have a sensitivity to the residual smell of cigarette smoke so could she please do her paperwork elsewhere. I'm not sure why you'd even consider going to the boss without speaking to her first. You say that she is a nice woman, so I assume you haven't had any difficult dealings with her in the past.

Realistically, eventually you are going to need to address your health issues whether you want to or not. Your argument loses a lot of credibility when you post that your MD has recommended a pulmonologist and you are choosing not to go because you don't want to take medicine and don't want to admit you have a lung problem. The medication required for your lung problem might very well solve this issue. If that is the case then basically you are expecting other people to adjust their life to accommodate you because you don't wish to adjust your life. Do you see the irony in that? "I don't want to change so YOU need to change to accommodate me".

Frankly, complaining to your boss may force the issue of you seeing a specialist. Remember, the boss' job is to protect everyone's rights, not just the rights of non-smokers. If the woman is complying with the smoking policy, then you might be able to have your job make some sort of accommodation for your office such as an air purifier, but that would most likely require some sort of documentation from a physician indicating that you have the need for it for health reasons.

 

[ShayBells]

I'm a smoker and I understand your problem if I'm reading right. You don't want to sound mean and tell her she stinks. She would probably understand but I wouldn't want to tell someone they stink either.

If it was me I'd work around the problem. Maybe you could not mention the smoke at all but tell your boss that it would be nice if your co worker had her own spot to work. Maybe a cubicle or the conference room or somewhere that is not your office where she is assigned to do her work every morning. That way she is not coming in your office and you are not bringing up the smoking issue at all and you look like you are trying to be nice by getting her her own work spot.

That's what I would do. It solves your problem without sounding like it's your problem if that makes sense.


And I'm pretty sure American Spirit is the kind with less chemicals. So that could be the reason your DHs dont bother you.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wow. Y'all got ugly fast. All I asked was opinions about what to do in my situation. I had actually forgotten I posted on here and was just browsing today and saw I had generated 6 pages of posts.

Yes, it is a health issue. When someone comes into my office smelling like cigarette smoke strong enough that it makes me have an asthma attack, I call that a health issue.

Nothing ugly here, just responses. You might want to subscribe at least to threads you start so you don't forget.

I mentioned it to my husband the other day why I can smell her smoke so bad but not his. He smokes in his car all the time. But I don't even smell it in his car if I drive it later. He said it is the brand of cigarettes. He smokes an expensive all natural brand, American Spirit. They don't smell as strongly. Also, my assistant said she has seen this coworker sit in her car for 30 minutes or so smoking the entire time with the windows up. So yes it is going to smell when she walks immediately into my office.

Your assistant needs more work. She shouldn't know what someone is doing in their personal vehicle for how long.

We don't have a real smoking policy except no smoking in the building. She complies with that. It is just the smell is so strong when she comes inside it is like she is smoking right at my desk.

Except that the lingering smoke odor is just that - the odor. She's not smoking at your desk, in your office, anywhere in the building.

As far as me thinking I live in a perfect universe and should not be offended, never said that. But it is my office. It's your employer's office assigned to you as your workspace. I think I have the right to not have to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day because someone chooses to smoke heavily just before walking into my office. And also I have noticed that after a couple of hours her smell goes away. They had a meeting this week (after she came into my office and I had to walk out) and when it was over I didn't smell her.

95% of the time she comes into my office is just to sit in front of my desk and do paperwork that could be done elsewhere. I am polite tho and don't tell people to get out of my office. I am a polite person. I would not hurt her feelings for anything in the world. That is why I asked for advice of what to say to her. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I don't want to suck on an inhaler the rest of the day either.

As far as me being a hypchontriac, this has been going on for years. I didn't want to go to the doctor for it because I hate to take medicine. But when I was in for a checkup it was right after the last time I had been wheezing 24 hours after she came in smelling like cigarette smoke so it was fresh on my mind. He wants to send me to a pulmonologist and I have resisted because I have crappy insurance and will have to pay for it and because I don't want to admit I may have a lung problem.

So politely say, "the smell of cigarette smoke causes an asthma attack (optional: 'or worse, but I refuse to take further action because ___'); can we find another spot where you can complete that paperwork?"

 

[disykat]

As far as the pulmonologist visit, my guess is he will tell you the same thing your regular doctor probably did - avoid triggers.

People don't like to believe it, but odors can trigger asthma attacks. In my case perfumes do it, as well as 2nd hand and very strong 3rd hand smoke.

I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and say something like " I'm having trouble with asthma and my doctor told me to avoid cigarette smell, since it is a major trigger for me. I know this is awkward, but I'm sure you'll understand that I have to keep my workspace as trigger free as possible. Can you complete your paperwork in another room?"

The only involvement your employer would need to have is if you don't "own" your workspace. Is it a shared space, or is there another place she could easily work?

 

[sookie]

I thought you couldn't be allergic to cigarette smoke?!

That's crazy you can't smell it on your husband. When I am around smoke or in a room that's smoked in, I have difficulty even inhaling. I understand about your difficulties. I would just let her know that the smoke irritates your lungs and causes your asthma to act up- and that you would appreciate if she didn't smoke right before talking to you.

Since this thread was bumped anyway...

It seems you can be allergic to almost anything these days. Check out the DISabilities forum.
It is better to be considerate of the people around you. A smoking jacket, washing hands and rinsing your mouth can be helpful. Trying to limit smoking during the workday as much as possible will help with the issue. If this person deals with customers, the smell might be a problem to address.

OP - you have asthma and are getting sick. Go to the pulmonologist. Talk to your coworker and your husband. Even if he smokes an expensive brand, you can still get sick since you have asthma. If your co-worker isn't helpful, then talk to your boss.