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AIBU?

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Manager Vaping in Work

62 replies

Mortimermay · 04/05/2025 22:29

My manager constantly vapes in the office I work in. He vapes all through meetings and quite often if you have to meet with him, it'll be in a small room with limited air flow which is full of vapour. He is aware its against company policy to do this inside as he doesn't do it in our main site where most employees work from.
I have nothing against people who vape, it doesn't bother me what they decide to do however I have asthma which is exacerbated by vapes. I have asked him repeatedly not to vape around me and explained why and he just ignores it or puts me in an awkward position in front of everyone by asking if it's OK. The last week was particularly bad as I had to have two extended meetings with him where the room was full of vapour before we even started and despite me asking him not to, he continued vaping anyway. I know that other colleagues find it irritating as well.
I really don't want to have to go to HR about this as we are a small team and he will know it was me which could make things difficult. On the other hand, I'm sick of asking him and sick of spending my evenings with a sore chest and wheezing due to spending hours confined in a vape filled room.
I can't understand why he thinks it's acceptable, aibu? And if I'm not, do I just start leaving the room every time he vapes after I've asked him not to or do I take the consequences and just report it to HR?

OP posts:
YehRight · 04/05/2025 23:16

Ponderingwindow · 04/05/2025 23:13

I have a severe fragrance allergy and asthma. If a coworker pulled out a vape I would walk out of the room and contact hr immediately.

Stand up for yourself. Your manager is 100% wrong

Are your colleagues allowed to wear perfume or aftershave?

Ponderingwindow · 04/05/2025 23:13

I have a severe fragrance allergy and asthma. If a coworker pulled out a vape I would walk out of the room and contact hr immediately.

Stand up for yourself. Your manager is 100% wrong

YehRight · 04/05/2025 23:07

Defo disrespectful and something you could report. That said, vapour usually dissipates almost immediately like steam so I'm surprised it's building up in the room. I used to vape in the work van seconds before pulling into the office car park to pick up my boss. Nobody ever noticed.

TY78910 · 04/05/2025 23:03

It’s sackable

fashionqueen0123 · 04/05/2025 22:58

That must be illegal. Go to HR. I wouldn’t give a hoot by this point.

nadine90 · 04/05/2025 22:51

I say this as a vaper and ex-smoker. Go to HR!
He doesn’t give a shit about you, your health or your comfort in the workplace. He’s a shit manager and human. Report him

NineteenSeventyNine · 04/05/2025 22:49

Go straight to HR. Do not pass go, do not collect £200.

Wholikesbreadandhoney · 04/05/2025 22:46

Second hand vape fumes might not be as lethal as second hand cigarette smoke but are still adversely affect the health of people forced to breathe them.
And the effects on someone such as yourself with asthma are serious.

You should report him to HR. Because whatever salary you earn I'm sure it's not enough to compensate for the possible long term effects of this selfish, ignorant man's behaviour.

UpJacksArseAndRoundTheCorner · 04/05/2025 22:37

Every time he asks if it's ok, say "No it's not. Remember I keep saying it triggers my asthma?"

If he still doesn't give a shit, you'll have to go to HR I'm afraid.

Mortimermay · 04/05/2025 22:34

That's the worst part of it. He's almost 50 so should absolutely know better! To be honest I can only assume that he's extremely selfish and ignorant.

OP posts:
Lovemybunnies · 04/05/2025 22:33

Absolutely report it. I wonder if this could potentially amount to constructive dismissal.

PenelopeK · 04/05/2025 22:31

How old is he? He seems to have no understanding of how to exist in an office.

If you’ve asked him repeatedly with no change, go to his manager or HR. But I would also make plans to leave if it becomes difficult.

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