Can employees legally be forced to not wear fragrance, have candles on desk, etc. due to colleague's allergies

Question

Global inner-office email sent regarding the above......this employee works in another building, wears a mask "for effect", has been seen OUTSIDE (of all places!) WITHOUT the mask, etc. If this were legit on their part, I'd be more sympathetic. However, I can't believe, since where one works is by choice, and they can't control other places they frequent, such as restaurants, stores, etc., this can possibly be enforced. Anyone else out there encounter this? Surely we other workers have rights as well! (If it makes a difference, I work in a state government office with 4 different buildings.)

Answer 1

Good question. Think the answer is no they can't tell you what you have on own body. But they can tell you what you can't have like candles on desk. Fragrance on body if they are not next to you and you don't have a lot on you can smell it. I have allergies to some fragrance. A co-worker had one on that didn't agree to me. But didn't know she had it on until she was within 2-3 feet from me. I ask her to move away a little she did and I was fine. This person known you have it on they shouldn't be sleeping with you or be that close to you.

Answer 2

I would say "no", in most places...However,I once worked in a privatly owned country club.There was an employee there ,waitress,who did not wear makeup.She was a very plain but sweet person and she did her job well.However, the "comittee" decided she wasn't "pretty" enough for there tastes. They insisted that she start wearing makeup while she was working. We were all outraged and protested,but she spoke to a legal advisor and found out that they had the legal right on there side because it was a privatley owned club.this was quite some years ago so I am not certain if the laws have changed.By the way, after seeing the ugly heads of the upper class win at embarassing ,humiliating and fiering a good person for there own selfish needs,I quit working for the *#%&*!!. Who needs that kind of bull anyhow! TWIG

Answer 3

Well, I don't think that they can legally make you adhere to those rules. However, when your superiors make these rules....and you do not adhere to them....it is amazing at how fast they can find something else that you might be doing wrong, to fire you over.

I know the guy/gal is probably a pain in the butt. But, is it really such a big deal to live without fragrance, while at work? I know it is the principal of the matter.....but, a word of advice for you......

Choose your battles, carefully, Sweetie. If you are going to throw down about it.....make sure it is worth it. I've learned that I am much better off, when I let the little things go.

If you are gonna be upset about something.....let it be the big things, not the small ones. I learned this after the death of my dad. Great wisdom in "not sweating the small stuff."

Good luck! And, God bless!

Answer 4

Every worker has a right to be able to perform their job. If I couldn't perform my job because my coworkers candles (fire hazard by the way) were giving me a headache, or their perfume knocked me over, Smokers smell just as bad , someones taste in music may also give rise for complaint. What gives the coworkers the right to infringe on other people's space. It's called work etiquette and sometimes you have to make it as sterile environment as possible to ensure the happiness of everyone one in the work space. I agree, you are free to work anywhere you wish. If you want to smell like a hooker, and burn candles then perhaps another place of employment would be advisable.

Answer 5

A company can regulate any person item on a desk or in the work place. I am really surprised they would allow you a candle on the dest, and most certainly never allowed to burn it.
But yes they can tell you no perosnal items at all on the desk if they want to.

And they could request no excessive fragrance. Many companies have rules on what can or can't be in the work place.

Answer 6

On the other side of this debate: my mother has always gotten severe headaches from very strong perfume (if worn appropriately it doesn't bother her) but the people who bathe in it really cause her pain. Where my mom works, at a bank, they have a no fragrance sign outside of her department, not just for her, but for others as well. Most people abide by i, but a few months ago everytime one woman walked in the smell of Downy would overpower the department, well she was asked by the boss if she was wearing perfume which she denied and she stated thst she uses fabric softener on her clothing and she would continue to do so. So, the smell was so bad one of my mother's friends looked in he blazer pocket when it was on her chair and voila! 2 fabric softner sheets, she was putting them in her clothes just to bother people. Moral of the story she was written up for it, so it can have a detrimental effect on your job if you blatenetly disobey the rules set forth by management.

Answer 7

sadly, yes. This can be enforced. My experience has normally seen go only as far as a verbal reprimand. This is not the same as a hygiene issue or a harassment issue. Proximity to the "affected" person also plays a huge factor. This cuts both ways. The "affected" person can also be shuffled off to a basement office to "assist" in their malady.

Answer 8

Perfumes do NOT cause allergies---they cause horrible headaches, etc...Is a headache an allergy??? NO. An allergy to perfume would cause you to itch, not get a headache....People say they are "allergic" to smoke, perfume, etc, when what they really get is a headache, or sinus issues--neither of which are allergies---I have seen people wearing masks in workplaces, then removing them outside, where there are carcinogens everywhere...hmmmm

Answer 9

I HAVE WORKED AS A WAITRESS FOR YEARS, AND MANY RESTUARANTS REQUIRE NO PERFUME, OR FAKE NAILS. THIS IS LAID OUT DURING THE HIRING PROCESS. I PERSONALLY LOVE PERFUME, BUT AT XMAS TIME IN THE MALLS I'VE HAD PERFUMES SPRAYED ON ME AND IT'S OFFENSIVE. SO WHEN WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC IT'S BEST TO BE SAFE AND NOT OFFEND ANYONE. PLUS WHOEVER SIGNS THE PAYCHECK GETS TO MAKE THE RULES.

Answer 10

yes - employers provide the environment in which you work so they are legally able to set standards about maintaining that environment

furthermore, employers also have a legal duty to ensure the workplace is safe for all employees