Any tips on dealing with passive smoking

Broadwood

Nicki wrote: »

Just finished my first day in a new job and unfortunately my new office is the one on the floor above the corner where everyone congregates for a smoke . The office and now my clothes pong, and since about 11am I have a really sore throat despite drinking lots of water.

Anyone live with a smoker or had this situation in the work place and have any tips for how to minimise the more unpleasant effects of this please? It is an old Victorian building with a vent in the window so no chance of stopping the smell of smoke getting in, and the office next door where most of the smokers are coming from is on 22 floors, so there have been smokers there all day and it is outside my control to stop it, nor are there empty spaces in my new work place which I could ask to move to so it is a question of learning how to cope.

I've never smoked but suffered the effects of passive smoking for the first 17 years of my life due to both parents being smokers. If I knew then what I know now I'd have run away to escape the situation. It was child abuse by knowingly causing harm and discomfort. My sister suffered from bronchitis for many years in her early years.

Being realistic your best way forward is to look for another job and while job hunting...
(a) be observant when you go for interview.... and
(b) ask the right questions just to make sure what the smoking arrangements are.

Your health and comfort is your 1st priority in the long term.

Good luck OP.

marisco_2

SuzieSue wrote: »

If it was me, I would start looking for another job as soon as possible.

There really is no need to take the above action. Talk about using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

If the OP raises concerns appropriately the discomfort she is currently experiencing could be looked into and addressed with very little fuss. Most employers have an interest in their staffs wellbeing and how their company projects itself to clients.

SuzieSue

marisco wrote: »

There really is no need to take the above action. Talk about using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

If the OP raises concerns appropriately the discomfort she is currently experiencing could be looked into and addressed with very little fuss. Most employers have an interest in their staffs wellbeing and how their company projects itself to clients.

There is no harm starting to look for another job - it could take months to find another one.

It will not be easy for her company to solve the problem becuase the people smoking work for another company. If they worked for the OP's company it would be relatively easy.