Plant Services - December 2007 - (Page 36)

IN THE TRENCHES The scenario presented here is based on a true story; only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Making a big stink Acme learns to deal with an allergic crusader T grouchily trudged on, toughing it out, feeling as miserable hrough luck and persistence, Chris Mazguze was as he looked. But, coworkers felt he spent a lot of time on his landed a clerical position at Acme’s corporate headanti-aroma crusade. This wasn’t lost on Flo, who mentioned quarters. It was about time he found a job that was a it at the last three performance reviews she gave Chris. cut above flipping burgers and stocking shelves. It was during an office upgrade and rearrangement that One week after he was hired, Chris informed Flo Snurrey, Flo thought she had an opportunity to accommodate Chris’ his supervisor, about his allergic reaction to perfumes and original request. She specified that his workspace be surthe fragrances in many common household products. The rounded by empty workstations and file cabinets to help allergic symptoms he experienced included clogged sinuses, minimize the potential for continuing allergy attacks. watery eyes, a sore throat and, occasionally, migraine-like With the new seating arrangements, his symptoms eased headaches. The symptoms might be temporary or they might a bit, continuing along at a lower intensity. Chris continued last two or three days. A particularly severe exposure would to lobby the HR department and got several leave him lethargic, groggy and unable to conadditional accommodations. Acme told Chris centrate on his work. He asked Flo to arrange for Acme to accommodate his condition by The ADA doesn’t that he could wear a mask while in the office. HR also had private discussions with employprohibiting employees from wearing perfume. require that ees who walked through the office leaving a Flo, a lady’s lady herself, said she can’t do a company cloud of aroma in their wake. HR even went as anything of the sort because Acme has no redesign its far as sending a company-wide e-mail asking right dictating employee hygiene. Besides, the idea that she herself would no longer wear per- workplace for an employees to be circumspect in the amount of odor they bring into the workplace. fume was unthinkable. Secretly, she harbored employee. Now, with three full years at Acme, Chris second thoughts about her new employee. was still struggling with his allergy and trySo, on his own, Chris told anyone with ing to extract comprehensive changes. Topping his list was whom he came into perceptible olfactory contact that he had getting a ban on scents inside the building. But Acme’s HR this extreme allergy and described his potentially severe redepartment was weary of rehashing the same material with action to the scent the person is wearing. Several coworkers the same employee. Finally, HR asked Chris to submit a were sympathetic; some cut back on their morning medical certification form, to be completed by his physician. splash of scent, others completely stopped. But The company wanted the benefit of a third-party opinion. most of Acme couldn’t care less and continued A week later, Chris submitted the form. The doctor rewith their routine a.m. ablutions. ported that Chris was extremely sensitive to odors, but it Chris also regularly visited the HR departwasn’t a serious health condition. He added that Chris was ment to lobby for a company-wide ban on theoretically able to perform any work that Acme needed. wearing perfume and cologne while on the During the following year, Chris continued to file his premises. He likened his reaction to the monthly complaints about scents and perfumes. Each time one that justifies the ban on secondhe did, Acme asked for an updated medical certification hand smoke in the workplace. All form. Chris never submitted any. that Chris managed to get was a Last October, Flo sent Chris a memo telling him that change to a different type of air his performance wasn’t up to par. She put him on probation freshener in the men’s rooms. pending a performance review scheduled two weeks out. Even though Chris’ sympFlo cited certain behaviors and unresolved performance istoms arose often during the sues He failed to meet the provisions of the action plans to next two years, he didn’t miss resolve these problems that were highlighted during previmany days of work. He just www.PLANTSERVICES.com December 2007 36 http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Plant Services - December 2007

Plant Services - December 2007 Contents From the Editor: Orange Alert The PS Files: Pressed into Innovation Up and Running What Works: Samuel Adams Facility Refreshed in Cincinnati Energy Expert: Energy's "Perfect Storm" Technology Toolbox: Know Your Position Cover Story: Get a Grip on the Steamer Piping: Outside Looking In Web Hunter: Potpourri X In the Trenches: Making a Big Stink Boiler Room: Getting Educated

Plant Services - December 2007

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