to refuse to work in an unventilated room that's just been painted and had new carpets fitted

[sPJPPp]

At work tomorrow morning my desk and computer will have been moved into a room that's just been painted (over the weekend) and had carpets fitted. There is no opening window, just aircon. I felt dizzy after spending 5 mins in there today and have a head ache. Aibu to just flat out refuse to work there tomorrow?

Unless your pregnant it probably won't go down well,

But you shouldn't have to

Yabu

Yabu

Can you not leave the door open?

No not pregnant but I do have some kind of allergy to it, "air fresherners" and perfume set me off also.

Can't leave the door open, its a fire door.

Yabu

I couldn't and wouldn't, so I think YANBU. I don't suppose they'll take very kindly to your refusal though.

You're just the sort of client employee we hate! The company spend money on making your workplace more pleasant, and all you can do is complain.

Some pretty unfair responses on here! I don't think you are being U at all. I am affected in the same way as you by certain smells and the smell of fresh paint would give me a headache and make me dizzy and, if it is a strong enough smell, could even make me throw up.

YADNBU

It's got air con, what's the problem? The smell of paint? I hardly think you're objecting to the carpet being new.

I wish you Abu people would say why?

I'm the kind of employee you hate as I have allergies and don't want to be in a room full of VOCs? Even on the paint pot it says to well venterlate the room, and this has not been done.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are extremely hazardous. The EPA explains VOCs, and the dangers they pose to our health. According to the EPA, VOCs cause eye, nose and throat irritation, frequent headaches, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system.

You're just the sort of client employee we hate! The company spend money on making your workplace more pleasant, and all you can do is complain.

How is that in any way pleasant?

Show your employers the paint tin with the VOC warning on.

What do you suggest as an alternative?

Thanks professor and mum.

I guess its hard to understand if your not badly affected by the paint. I will not be able to work at all in that room tomorrow, so I will have to say so. I'm just figuring out my action plan tonight and seeing if anyone else thinks work Abu.

Cupid, I'm sure that the OP is not objecting to the new carpet per se, but sometimes workplace flooring is fixed in place with glue which is made from fish products and it can stink to high heaven for a few days until it dissipates.

YANBU

Good luck, sPJPPp. It probably is difficult to imagine if people don't suffer in this way themselves, but I understand totally and think your employers could perhaps find somewhere away from the smell for you to work, or perhaps you could work at home, if it's possible?

Is everything dried properly though, then ventilated after? You can't honestly expect to not have to work until the mere smell of the paint and/or glue has gone? Took weeks for my flat to stop smelling fresh, despite very thorough ventilation.

Yabu

Thanks professor, the problem is the whole office is being redone in sections at the moment. So space is very tight, Henze why they are rushing us into this room. I might be able to borrow a laptop and either work from home or in the lunch room is my only options. if they had windows that opened it would probably be OK in a few days but as there is zero ventilation it will stink for a while. Might have to start using my holiday now, that sucks but can't see I have much choice.

I may well be being a bit thick due to complete lack of knowledge of how it works but is AC not ventilation?

For what it's worth, I get where you're coming from with allergies...I have many. But when I was working, I couldn't expect my employer to take all accountability for them. If I had a reaction, I took that day sick then worked from home for a few days or booked further time off. Could working from home be an option for you? It was invaluable for me.

Had a similar situation a few years ago, small open plan office, redecorated and new carpets. Even with the windows open the whole team of 6 went down with sinusitus.

The GPs surgery were obliged to report it to the Health and Safety Exec due to "noxious emissions".