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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

81 replies

sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 17:59

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?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 09/03/2015 20:29

aircon should be ventilation, but in many UK offices it doesn't work properly. It isn't needed in the UK - but it is because too many idiots design buildings where the windows do not open.

Moresproutsplease · 09/03/2015 20:44

At my work we wouldn't be allowed time off because of new carpets and paint.

We have rats and mice in the building and the heating hasn't worked since January, but no-one has stayed off - we just wouldn't get paid.

Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 20:46

The thing is cupid its not so much an obscure allergie its something that's very toxic and will cause issues for lots of people. There is zero ventilation as not even the door can be left open.

I'm not surprised a whole room was off sick, and that's with having ventilation!! I will probably look a bit silly tomorrow when I leave or go to work in a kitchen, but not so much after everyone else has had a few hours of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 20:49

I'm not asking for time off, I'm asking for non toxic air to breeze.

OP posts:
morethanpotatoprints · 09/03/2015 20:51

I don't think YABU, but think you should try the room first before complaining.
New carpets can give off a smell too and in some cases can make you ill, especially in enclosed spaces.
This along with paint fumes could make it quite whiffy and toxic for a few days.
If the OP suffers from headaches due to these fumes and has allergies it is not too much for her to ask for a different space while it settles.

Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 20:55

Thanks, I will try the room although is 10-15 mins long enough?

OP posts:
26Point2Miles · 09/03/2015 21:01

The vocs you speak of are not really present in paint anymore.... New law changes and EU legislation comes into force this year. Most paint has gone to be remanded ahead of this

The decorators aren't happy, but Its all just water based paint now

cerealqueen · 09/03/2015 21:01

YANBU, however I bet you'll have to suffer it and get ill first before being moved, rather than be moved after in order to prevent you being ill!

26Point2Miles · 09/03/2015 21:01

Remanded? Rebranded....

26Point2Miles · 09/03/2015 21:02

There are no 'toxins' in paint, the op will be fine

Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 21:03

Its not water based, I checked the pots. The glos is high vocs, the wall paint is low (but still contains them). And the carpets smell high in voc

OP posts:
Guyropes · 09/03/2015 21:06

You had me on 'unventilated room' . Air conditioning is basically a system of recycling air? So it might get cooled or heated , but it's essentially the same air going round and round. That's not ventilation.

If you get a bad headache, you'll be unable to work properly anyway; I think it would be in the company's best interests to find a space elsewhere in the short term.

Let us know how you get on tomorrow. Do your employers have a history of being considerate?

CFSKate · 09/03/2015 21:08

It sounds horrific.

26Point2Miles · 09/03/2015 21:09

What's not water based? Which one

ajandjjmum · 09/03/2015 21:10

Seriously - we redecorate dozens of offices a year as part of refurbishment programmes. Using good quality paint, and a release adhesive with commercial floorcovering - doors and windows open whilst the work is being carried out - and I can't remember it causing genuine problems to an individual.

However, if it does, surely you speak to your manager and arrange to either work from home, work elsewhere in the building or take a day's holiday.

We've just finished one job where the staff were hugely inconvenienced - the front fascia was removed on one of the cold days! - and bless them, they just wrapped up warm and wound me up about keeping them cold so they worked faster! Grin One girl was concerned that it would affect her asthma, so we had Plan B in place, but in the event she was fine. This sort of work always requires a bit of give and take, rather than looking for problems that may not even be there.

ClassicTron · 09/03/2015 21:15

If aircon is only re-circulating air, why are there fans on the outside of the building?

lertgush · 09/03/2015 21:18

DH redoes offices regularly. For some people it does cause genuine problems, especially the carpet glue. His HR person has to work from home each time they redo an office (long story - they move offices a lot).

Quangle · 09/03/2015 21:19

I don't know how painters and decorators have survived so long...

Honestly it may be smelly but it's not dangerous or bad for you now.

TattyDevine · 09/03/2015 21:21

If the windows don't open, aircon is in fact the same air going round and round forever, and the door never opens, the smell will never go surely?

BlackNoSugar · 09/03/2015 21:22

I am allergic to something in new carpets - it sets off my asthma (I think it's a type of formaldehyde, not really sure). Paint fumes from gloss paint make me nauseous to the point of vomiting and I get a banging headache.

If they asked me to work in that room I would explain all this, but I would not refuse to work there. It would be blatantly obvious within ten minutes that I would be well on the way to an asthma attack and at that point I would go home sick. And possibly need a day or so to recover.

Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 21:24

Guy, yes that's exactly it the air con just circulates dry stale air. In the current room we have windows and aircon but for some strange reason most people prefer air con to fresh air, I hate it.

The company is actually good, but my manager is a bit toothless and great at his job apart from the managing bit. Without sounding like a bitch he is very smart and good, but he's progressed to management, but management isn't his strong point.

OP posts:
Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 21:26

Aj that's the point, there has been zero ventilation while the work was done and will be zero afterwards.

OP posts:
morethanpotatoprints · 09/03/2015 21:27

Are there not laws that protect the OP from having to work in hazardous conditions.
Wouldn't this come under H&S.
OP, can you talk this over with your officer?

I can't believe how many people think the OP is wrong, I'm totally Shock.

Personally, if I were in your shoes I would try it for 10 mins, you'll know as soon as you walk in if it will be possible for you to work in the room.
Then if need be see whoever you need to and beg, steal or borrow another area. You shouldn't have to use holiday entitlement to preserve your health.

Good luck Thanks

ClassicTron · 09/03/2015 21:28

If there was really no ventilation, you would die, regardless of new carpets.

Original poster
sPJPPp · 09/03/2015 21:28

Sweeping generalisation, but many painters and builders do seem to smoke, don't think that's any good for people either.

OP posts: