Feel like I'm being forced out of my job because of allergies

[Havea]

Not sure I've posted in the right place but here goes.
I've worked at the same large government employer for a long time. My youngest child likely has autism and other issues and it's nearby so it suits me, although I don't love it, it's best for my family if I stay there. We have one car and my husband uses it for work. My husband also has a serious, life limiting health condition which makes him tired at times.

I have asthma and am generally allergic to a lot of things like dust, pets etc. I have always managed this well and take antihistamines, inhalers etc.

A while ago we found out we were getting a new member of staff who has an assistance dog. The office is quite small so I said straight away that I would probably have problems with this as I'm very allergic to dogs. Plans were put in place for us to be of different floors and I avoided the dog as much as possible. I was in a room which he had no cause to ever go into so I was fine.

I was then moved to a more general area in the office. He has to pass through this area as it's a main thoroughfare. Since I moved I've been sneezing, nose running, wheezing. I raised it with my manager last week who said that she would speak to HR about it. I suggested that there were treatments you can put on the dogs coat to make it less likely to make me sneeze and also said I would probably have been better off left in my self contained room.

Manager has come back saying HR aren't happy with the measures taken so are looking to move me to another office. This has completely stressed me out. The nearest alternative office is half an hour bus ride away. Sometimes my son has absolute meltdowns and I have to go home to help at school or home with him. This is fine at the moment as I am 5 minutes walk away. The thought of being that far away from him makes me so upset and worried.
I've limited my career to care for and be nearby for him (and to some extent my husband too due to his health).

Apart from the extra cost and time taken to get to the other office it just seems like a load of hassle and worry for me. I was willing to go back to my little room and do meetings etc over zoom.

I can't sleep because of this. Thanks for reading.

@Others4Dreams

Your employer has offered you a good alternative to work in another office

How do you know that it's the dog that is making you allergic, it could be other things in the office

Have you been back to your GP about worsening allergies ?

Only someone who doesn’t have an allergy would ask such a silly question!

@Havea how have they resolved it?

I would ask for a referral to occupational health. They will make recommendations and also help determine if your allergies may count as a disability.

The fact that a solution that worked was in place proves that this can be replicated. I'd have thought only very small offices wouldn't be able to find you somewhere still in the same building.

I would do 2 things:

Arrange proper allergy testing (GP can refer or you can go private).

Request a referral to OH.

I can't really go into details about how it was resolved but the dog won't be in the same building anymore (nothing to do with me).

I've had proper allergy testing through the NHS. I have all sorts of medication to deal with it but it usually doesn't have a massive impact on my life. It's just always been manageable. The best way to deal with allergies is to avoid the allergent if possible.
I will ask for a referral to OH though.

I'm glad it's got sorted OP. Hopefully not to your detriment.

I have bad allergies to cats and dogs and I can't believe how much better it has been since WFH. I no longer have to sit next to people coveted in pet hair, who complained about me sneezing and wheezing a lot. I don't think people take allergies seriously enough TBH. God forbid you put peanuts in your kids lunch box, but it's fine to come in covered in pet hair.

@Havea

I was meaning to do the zoom meetings from my laptop in the office rather than at home. I don't expect to be able to wfh as it's not in the nature of the job.

I am guessing it's the dog as I was fine for years until the dog started there.

Maybe I'll ring my GP and see if there are any other solutions. I already take cortisteroid nasal spray, prescribed antihistamines etc.

You firstly have to be sure its the dog. So you said you did the Ig pin prick tests? Did dog come up as a positive welt? If so what did the allergist say? You can have sublingual therapy specifically for pet dander or you can try Rhinolite which is pretty effective. If you are making a case you need to demonstrate its the dog thats the issue.

Occupational health may be able to help and advise.

OP, that sounds like a good result. I'm pleased for you.

You are absolutely right that avoiding allergens is the best way to go. I used to have cats, but developed a cat allergy. No amount of medication subdued the symptoms and I had permanent rhinitis/itchy eyes for years, until the cats had all gone (I couldn't rehome them and wouldn't have them PTS). In effect, I was living with the enemy to my health. I really miss having a pet cat but my health improved massively once my home became a cat free zone.