Allergic to perfume in an open plan office

Timalay

I may seem like a daft question, but is there any clothing policy (well that kinda thing) that says anything about personal sprays?

DigForVictory

See the GP.
Get meds - advice on OTC or prescription.
Keep a record/diary.
Involve a first aider in taking the meds - so It Really Shows.
After two months go to boss & ask or HR & Union to join in. A happy productive recent promotee should not be planning to leave the business because of another employee's perfume...
All the best.

FBaby

He has spoken to the woman in question and she knows he gets headaches but she just seems to think its a joke, like he's making it up or something. She doesn't see him come in from work looking grey.

To be fair, it is not that common to have such a strong reaction to someone's perfume, especially when they are not constantly next to them, so I can understand that this woman would be dismissive. It is all about how he approached her about it. Maybe he needs to try again in a 'I know it sounds silly, and I really promise it is not personal at all, but for some reason, your perfume really sets my headache off. Myself I struggled to believe it was the case, if someone else told it to me I wouldn't believe them, but I've kept a diary just to see if it could be something else that triggers it and here it is....

I expect the issue is not that the woman doesn't care, but just doesn't believe him, so he needs to find a way to convince her. By the way, it is unlikely to be an allergy as allergic reactions are rarely headaches on their own, more issues with breathing and skin reactions. What he has is just a reaction to the smell that affects his brain receptors, so I would very much doubt antihistamines would make a difference. I always reaction to strong smells yet take antihistamine every day (due to a strong allergy to dustmites) and it certainly hasn't made the smell issue any better.

Tiddlywinks

Before approaching HR your BF needs to be clear about the cause of the problem.

Is it really an 'allergy' for instance?

Go back to the GP and talk it through - if it's migraine then there are things that can be done... Ask for advice on managing the issue.

Until you are clear about the cause and the reason for the reaction you are going to find it difficult to have this taken seriously at work.

maninthestreet

The employer has a duty of care here, they cannot ignore complaints from the OP's boyfriend that his health is adversely affected by the strong smell of perfume from another employee.

Tiddlywinks

maninthestreet wrote: »

The employer has a duty of care here, they cannot ignore complaints from the OP's boyfriend that his health is adversely affected by the strong smell of perfume from another employee.

But the OP's BF needs to be able to credibly demonstrate that his health is adversely impacted by something the employer has control over...

It isn't really just enough to call it an 'allergy' and expect them to issue a directive based on that.

Brenny

I don't think the BF is under any obligation to credibly demonstrate his health is adversely impacted. It should be enough to make the complaint to HR if the lady in question won't take the request seriously -after all, everyone can smell it!

But I agree with FBaby to try that approach first.

thegirlintheattic

I think this is a tricky one for the employer. The OP has herself said it's only this specific perfume, and the employer has allowed moving desks.

I would say go back to GP and make sure it is the perfume and not something else.

ERICS_MUM

I can't believe that management haven't sorted this by now ! Hope they never have to face any major problems, god help the company.

MatyMoo

I have migraines that can be set off by any musk based smell. Luckily for me, once I have explained it to work colleagues they try to avoid wearing anything like that to work.

I would talk to this woman again and explain it to her, if that doesn't work I would have to involve HR as I would be going home sick most days