Smoker in nearby cubicle making me ill

[Anonymous]

OP here. I actually grew up in a smoking household. It affects me more now, I don't know why.

[Anonymous]

Get a desk fan and some Febreze

[Anonymous]

I don't see anything wrong in asking the manager to move her to a different cubicle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see anything wrong in asking the manager to move her to a different cubicle.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see anything wrong in asking the manager to move her to a different cubicle.

+1

I don't either. OP I am incredibly sensitive to smoking as well. If I am in prolonged contact with someone who smells of smoke it triggers a migraine headache, where I then feel nauseated.

Just be discreet when you ask your manager.

[Anonymous]

Smokers don't like it either. How many do you see throw butts out their car windows so they don't sit in their ashtrays stinking up their cars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smokers don't like it either. How many do you see throw butts out their car windows so they don't sit in their ashtrays stinking up their cars?

This. One of my college roommates was a smoker but she specifically requested non-smoker roommates because she hated the smell of smoke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did people live in the 50s? Was there a silent minority who were horribly bothered by cigarette smoke?

The 50s? We were still fighting this battle in our office in the early 90s!

[Anonymous]

You can get a small air purifier for your cubicle. That might help. Someone in a former job had one, I'm assuming because her cube was next to a smoker's cube.

[Anonymous]

I'm a former smoker and now that I am not, I can totally relate. I can't believe I stunk so badly for so many years. It's really offensive and pervasive.

I would ask to move to a different cube if it's not too much of a hassle. I don't think you're being too picky. I would probably do the same if someone's very strong perfume/cologne had that sort of affect on me.

Mind, I am recalling my former cube farm life where I am basically chained to that workspace at least 7 hours a day, and so are they, so I assume it's a persistent problem.

If you're only at your desk for a little while and have the freedom to leave, have lots of meetings elsewhere, etc., just try to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

You need to ask to move cubes. I'm a former smoker and the smell clings to you more when it is humid - a big issue in DC. Washing hands and brushing teeth can help a bit, but if you are very sensitive it might not be enough. If you are sensitive to smoke, but not perfume, try getting some strongly scented hand lotion to use when the smoker is near. I like L'occitaine (sp?) in lavender or Aveda rosemary mint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously just because it irritates your nose and makes you sneeze does not mean you are allergic to it. If someone told me to stop wearing perfume I'd laugh at them. If you are going to inconvenience others by telling them what they can/cannot smell like- then it's on you to fix your environment to your liking. Ask for another cubicle, office, whatever. But don't expect management to move your co-worker to another area just because their scent affects you.

I don't mean to get all bitchy, but this stuff just appalls me. Do you never go to bars where there are smokers? Back when you could smoke inside restaurants, did you never enter restaurants with smoking sections? I just don't get it.

I worked at a law firm where one of the secretaries had vertigo that was set off by perfume, lotions, etc. We (the lawyers and everyone else who worked on her floor) were asked not to wear those things by HR. I guess it was considered a reasonable accommodation.

[Anonymous]

I have the same situation OP. Can you move cubes? If so that is probably the best solution, though you may want to scope out the options first. If you can't move, a fan helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

You should either buy a high quality HEPA air purifier for your cubicle or ask HR to provide you with one. You may need a note from an allergist or some other doctor to justify HR's purchase. You will love both the fresh air and the white noise it provides--I couldn't work without mine! GL!

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thank you all for the support and suggestions! I realize my initial post came off a bit dramatic, but I was dealing with a headache and nausea all afternoon and into the night (could not sleep). I think even different brands of cigarettes affect me differently (this one is particularly bad), and yes, the prolonged nature of the exposure did not help.

I would not have thought of the air purifier and I will look into it. I am not one to go running to my manager for personal things, but we'll see how this works.