My co-worker is living at work with a cat I am allergic to..?

Question

My co-worker just told me that she is living at work temporary. My boss has allowed this and has even accommodated her with a bed. She puts the cat in another room when I am in the computer room, but there is still cat hair all over the place.

She is also turning the heat up too high. I am allergic to cats real bad. I also have to do a lot of moving around in the office so the heat makes the it almost unbearable. It makes work very uncomfortable since I am used to working on my own.

What should I do? Just deal for a week or so OR tell my boss she has got to not bring her cat in?

Answer 1

I would start off by asking her to keep the heat down during the work day (or is it up? ...anyway, to where it doesn't come on as much). Then explain that you are highly allergic to cats and that while it helps not having the cat under foot during the day, if the cat's allowed to roam after work, it's fur is still all over the place which is what you are allergic to. Ask her to not allow the cat to roam around after work either, but just keep it in the room it's in during the day. Then ask her to use something to get rid of the current fur problem. (like a lint brush, or some tape or a vacuum or something) If that doesn't work, then tomorrow go to the boss. Tell the boss you've tried to talk to the co-worker about this, but to no avail. And that you are finding it difficult to work due to the heat and your allergies. IF that doesn't work (meaning the heat is still too high and the cat is still a problem) start taking the day off, explaining that until the cat problem is fixed you're not going to make yourself sick by being around it.

My Mom is highly allergic to cats and whenever we would visit an Uncle she would always leave (even if only there for an hour or two) with the worst headaches and get sick to her stomach and feel just horrible for days even though they had put the cat in a different room. They, not having allergies, never quite understood that it's not the presence of the cat, but all the cat dander that's the problem. And that the dander is on the fur and the fur is everywhere because the cat doesn't stay in one area all day.

And I really sympathize with the heat problem. If the heat is on too long I can't breathe, it literally takes my breathe away - even if the heat source is electric.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Quite a few great suggestions on here but there is one more. I love cats but I am allergic to them. I have found that taking Claratin helps. I know it is inconvenient to have to take a pill every day until she move out of the office but it is a temporary solution.

With the heat, talk to her about it and if that doesn't work then talk to your boss. Might be a good idea to mention the cost increase she is incurring there.

On last thing......where do you work?!? I have never found a job that accommodating.

Answer 3

I would say that they should accommodate you if they want you to continue to work there. Am wondering if they knew you had allergies to cats. At any rate, for the time being I think the gal ought to keep the cat confined to the other room completely and not let it near your work space. By the way, i love cats! But have a roommate that is allergic.

Answer 4

One thing I don't see here, how is it that this lady is legally permitted to live at work anyway, and with a cat, to boot? Check out the laws for OSHA. I can't believe that in this day and age, someone is permitted to live at work and to have an animal in the work building.

I love cats, but isn't this illegal anyway?

PS- If you do contact OSHA, the cat (and the lady) might become instantly homeless. I'd actually be more concerned with the cat. See if you can help to find a temporary home for it while the lady gets back onto her feet. I don't have much sympathy for someone who takes advantage of employers that way.

PPS- Does your employer also share her bed?

Answer 5

Tell your boss that you are having problems with the cat. If this is affecting your work performance, it is your boss' concern.

Answer 6

Tell your boss your going to have to take a couple days off because the cats giving you really bad allergies and eyes are burning. Then he will say OK take some time off or if he really needs you he will get rid of the cat. I'm also allergic to cats and it sucks to be around them. Put your foot down your a working human you are more valuable than some nasty feline

Answer 7

i would tell the boss that the circumstances are preventing you from properly doing your job and that you have health issues that prevent you from working in an environment where there are cats-i think you should get a week off with pay while she's there.....
good luck!

Answer 8

properly, that's not your accountability to declare something to her. the reality which you don't party along with her will probably positioned her off from the beginning up so something you're saying will immediately be seen as a private attack on her. communicate on your supervisor, and discover out in case you may come to three variety of an settlement approximately a thank you to deal with the situation. you ought to grant for her to return on your place and get wiped sparkling up and carry out a little laundry, and clarify to he which you admire her potential and you be attentive to you may delight in a warm bathtub to loosen up in for a mutually as :). i be attentive to you % to assist her, yet not all and sundry could be saved. from time to time one has to maintain themselves.

Answer 9

Since consessions have already been made, ask for a week or two off. If your job is more important than the other's obviously is, suffer it out or leave.

Answer 10

It's you or the cat. Let them decide.