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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think plugin "air fresheners" shouldn't be allowed in an enclosed office?

24 replies

spegal · 27/06/2014 09:19

Someone has brought in their plug in air freaherner from home and put it next to their desk.

Some people say its really nice. I think its nasty artificial and giving me a headache. Its totally different to a fresh bunch of flowers.

No windows open so can't get away from it.

Would I be being a total bitch to ask her to turn it off?

OP posts:
foolishpeach · 27/06/2014 09:22

YANBU - ask her to turn it off.

They make me headachy/nauseous too.

I think it is really antisocial to put one in an enclosed office. Urgh.

mousmous · 27/06/2014 09:24

yanbu
wouldn't be allowed in my office, all elecrtics have to be tested by an electrician (even phone chargers) and given an ugly green sticker.
complain

MaidOfStars · 27/06/2014 09:25

Do you smell? Wink

I recently brought one of those reed diffuser things into my shared office - no bad smell, I just like them. One of my colleagues didn't like it, told me so, and I got rid. People react differently to smells and any reasonable person would see that. Plus, if there is a 'smell' issue she's trying to address (somene's perfume, whatever), it gives her a chance to vocalise.

CoffeeTea103 · 27/06/2014 09:25

Yanbu, gives me a bad headache too. Tell her turn it off.

rubadubstylee · 27/06/2014 09:26

Yes, agree with maid - she might be trying to cover up a different smell?

Check your pits OP!

rockybalboa · 27/06/2014 09:26

Those things should banned full stop, they are revolting. Definitely not appropriate in the office.

Birdsgottafly · 27/06/2014 09:26

Perhaps she's farting a lot and wants to cover it up (oh the joys of peri menopause!).

However, I agree they shouldn't be allowed, you wouldn't be allowed to spray air freshner constantly.

Sneezecakesmum · 27/06/2014 09:28

They make my eyes and nose water so YANBU at all!

Original poster
spegal · 27/06/2014 10:59

I asked pretended to be a bit jokey about it and got shot down. Maybe I should of said actually its giving me a headache, was told aww don't you like the lovley smell?

OP posts:
MaidOfStars · 27/06/2014 12:18

We are obviously far less polite in my office. Our conversation went like this:

*Colleague walks in and wrinkles nose

Colleague: WTF is that smell? Where is it coming from?
Me: Oh, I brought a diffuser in. I really like it, don't you?
Colleague: No, it's bloody horrible.
Me: Well, you're a right misery, aren't you. We were only trying to cover up your stink.
Colleague: With THAT smell?
Me; Come over here and smell it properly.
Colleague: No.
Me: FFS, I'll get rid of it.

Nomama · 27/06/2014 12:33

Not here either! They are gross and would be unplugged in a trice.

There is probably a good H+S reason too... has it been PAT tested?

TheNumberfaker · 27/06/2014 12:36

Ugh they are foul! MiL uses them. Scares the shit out of me whenever it goes off and who wants to keep smelling artificial crap all day long.

get rid of the offending smell!

TheNumberfaker · 27/06/2014 12:38

Aha yes. Probably not pat tested! Use that to add more weight to your already legitimate complaint of I don't want to smell the fucking thing all day long!

Crinkle77 · 27/06/2014 12:39

I hate them too. They give me a headache and make me feel sick. I think I am slightly allergic to some strong smells as they seem to make my throat tickle and I end up coughing a lot. Say something. You can't put up with headaches just cos she wants to smell some horrible artificial aroma.

KoalaDownUnder · 27/06/2014 13:35

YANBU. They are disgusting.

Someone plugged one in (a cleaner, I think) at my work. I surreptitiously turned if off every time I walked in. It eventually disappeared. Grin

ArabellaRockerfella · 27/06/2014 16:28

Strong artificial or chemical smells give me migraines within minutes. I wouldn't be able to work in an office with a plug-in!

hedwig2001 · 27/06/2014 16:32

According to our fire officer, at work, they are a frequent cause of house fires.

Runesigil · 27/06/2014 17:11

Get rid of it. Headaches are common reactions, so are breathing difficulties for asthmatics. They can cause migraine for me too, as can even some peoples' fabric softener, it smells so strong it chokes me.
Why does everything have to be artificially scented, what's wrong with simply clean and some fresh air circulation.

Fluffyears · 27/06/2014 18:43

They are a serious danger. My friend works as a carer in assisted living and they are banned from having them due to fire risk.

specialsubject · 27/06/2014 18:59

I quite like reed diffusers but they are VERY strong for the first few days. Which is all right in a toilet, not an office!

so no, there should be no smells in an office. Fake perfumes, real ones, BO or egg sandwiches.

BTW where did we sign up for buildings with windows that don't open?

Devora · 27/06/2014 19:01

They give me headaches, trigger my asthma and make my nose sting.

Hideous things.

Original poster
spegal · 27/06/2014 20:00

Glad it is not just me! There must be something pretty harmful in them, although I can't find anything searching for it online

OP posts:
ouryve · 27/06/2014 20:00

YANBU.

I start coughing as soon as I walk into a room with one.

DocDaneeka · 27/06/2014 20:04

As everyone else said

  1. Fire hazard
  2. Not pat tested. Would be banned in our office
  3. Common migraine trigger. I'd be vomiting within 20 mins with some of the flavours
  4. Anti social, inflicting your smells on everyone
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