Page 18 | I have a nut allergy and colleague eating nuts in office.

Yewdontknowme · 2023-10-28T01:29:29+00:00

I’ve been working with this company since June. It’s with a small company with two open plan rooms in the same building. There is no HR department just the owners and the general manager and supervisors. One room is nut free as myself and an intern are severely allergic, the other room is ok for nuts. We never have to go into the other office. We are allocated space based on what we do within the company and wfh isn’t an option. For the past few months everything has been great. A supervisor has returned to our office this past fortnight after maternity leave. It seems she is really popular among the other women in the office. She has ignored all the signs and warnings and has been eating nuts at her workstation, which is making me wheeze and my throat and mouth are itching until I get away home. I’m working dosed up on piriton and with fingers crossed I don’t need to use my epipen. Our manager is a bit of a coward so has been trying to deal with this woman calmly including offering her a space in the other room but she’s refusing to swap rooms as she wants to be with her friends and likes the bigger workspace she has. She is claiming it’s discriminating against her as a returning mother and a vegetarian and so she will continue to eat what she wants, as in her words “they’re not eating the nuts themselves so they’ll be ok”. For what it’s worth I too am a vegetarian. She also told us to get epipens. Myself and the intern can’t go into the other room as the work in there is totally different to what we do. We need the facilities in this space. Our manager has told us we need to sort it out among ourselves. I appreciate this is a management problem but what am I supposed to do in the meantime? I’m still on probation and this woman is a long standing staff member. It took me a long time to find this job after redundancy in lockdown and I’m terrified I’ll be laid off after my probationary period runs out because of the drama this causes. I can start looking for another job but I fear it will take me over a year again. AIBU to expect the manager to deal with this woman instead of having to sort out a ‘compromise’ myself?

AnotherEmma · 30/10/2023 21:03

Yewdontknowme · 30/10/2023 21:01

It’s all gone a bit strange on this thread. I’m not addressing some of the BS being posted or justifying my allergy to anyone.

There’s nowt weird as mumsnet!

I spoke with the manager first thing this morning and said in no uncertain terms this was their problem to fix. I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one) and said I’d call ACAS tomorrow and the directors if something wasn’t done immediately. The intern has apparently had their university contact the manager about it too. I surprised myself at how confident I appeared so thank you to all those who gave me really good helpful advice.

I’m told nut eating woman is being transferred to the other room when she is next in and will have it explained to her that she cannot eat nuts near us or in the same room as us or she will face disciplinary action. This is as good an outcome as I can expect.

I have suspicions she’ll be as difficult as possible about it but one of the people I thought was a close friend of hers said they were pleased she was going. Someone up thread has pointed out she may not be as popular as she appeared and I think you’re right.

Well done OP. Hope they follow through.

heldinadream · 30/10/2023 21:07

Fantastic well done @Yewdontknowme
Keep us posted? So pleased you found the confidence to stand up for your VERY VALID rights. 🙂

Gcsunnyside23 · 30/10/2023 21:10

Yewdontknowme · 30/10/2023 21:01

It’s all gone a bit strange on this thread. I’m not addressing some of the BS being posted or justifying my allergy to anyone.

There’s nowt weird as mumsnet!

I spoke with the manager first thing this morning and said in no uncertain terms this was their problem to fix. I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one) and said I’d call ACAS tomorrow and the directors if something wasn’t done immediately. The intern has apparently had their university contact the manager about it too. I surprised myself at how confident I appeared so thank you to all those who gave me really good helpful advice.

I’m told nut eating woman is being transferred to the other room when she is next in and will have it explained to her that she cannot eat nuts near us or in the same room as us or she will face disciplinary action. This is as good an outcome as I can expect.

I have suspicions she’ll be as difficult as possible about it but one of the people I thought was a close friend of hers said they were pleased she was going. Someone up thread has pointed out she may not be as popular as she appeared and I think you’re right.

Brilliant outcome, glad they are taking it seriously

BitofaStramash · 30/10/2023 21:11

@Yewdontknowme

Well done. Sounds like the best outcome. It's great that the intern did similar.

ThereIbledit · 30/10/2023 21:12

Brilliant outcome!

Papillon23 · 30/10/2023 21:15

I'm really pleased you were able to be so assertive and that you got a positive response. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that everything goes smoothly and follow through is as agreed!

HappiDaze · 30/10/2023 21:22

Brilliant outcome OP

And this is exactly the outcome that should have happened from the start

Vile nut eating weirdo has been banished from the room

Weak manager has grown a backbone or had one thrust upon her

Hopefully no imminent deaths or trips to A&E

Although check under your chair for nuts each time you sit down because that women sounds a bit unhinged to say the least

Mittleme · 30/10/2023 21:26

Well done . Even if she is as popular as ever , it doesn't justify her selfish behaviour . It's not your fault you are allergic to nuts .

NJWigley · 30/10/2023 21:44

I agree with the post from two straws

DanceMumTaxi · 30/10/2023 22:02

This is great news. Hopefully your manager will follow through now.

twostraws · 30/10/2023 22:06

That is a great outcome, OP. I’m really pleased for you.

No one with an office job should worry about dying when going into work!

Codlingmoths · 30/10/2023 22:08

Yay!

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 30/10/2023 22:13

Yewdontknowme · 29/10/2023 19:25

Gosh too many things to respond to so will do the ones that stood out.

I’m not a troll, I’m a regular poster and MN can verify that if necessary. I didn’t want this post connected to other more personal posts.

I wasn’t always so allergic to nuts. I used to love nuts as a child despite being told I was allergic, so when I ate them nothing happened. Not long after I had my first child my allergy got worse and within a few years I needed an epipen. I also have an anaphylactic response to kiwis, bananas avacados and some beans, thankfully I’m ok as long as I don’t personally consume those but with nuts it seems worse.

Yes dining out and holidays can be a nightmare and require careful planning and learning relevant words. I don’t get away often so not as problematic as it may appear.

I can’t say I’ve ever been to a concert where nuts or any food was consumed in an enclosed environment. There’s less of a problem at open air events. I don’t go to the cinema as I don’t like communal film viewings. I dont use public transport either due to an unrelated disability.

Yes I alerted my employers at interview hence the allocation of a nut free room. I’ve found being upfront at the start is most helpful.

It’s only become serious issue in the past 12 years and when I’ve worked previously it’s never been a problem with anyone. This woman’s reaction was a complete surprise to me.

I’ve no idea if it’s an airborne or extreme contact allergy (door handles / machinery I work with) all I know is I only started to react when she returned and was eating nuts in the room.

I posted at silly o’clock because it’s been playing on my mind and I couldn’t sleep for worrying.

i can’t remember the rest of the questions, sorry.

How was it today, OP?

I'm another person with severe allergies that developed after giving birth. Mine is to tree nuts, tree fruit and a cooking spice!

I wonder if there's a medical reason for this. I've not found one yet.

FlamingoQueen · 30/10/2023 22:15

Great update! Just watch out that the lady doesn’t try something sneaky!

Artistlookingforname · 30/10/2023 22:22

Her attitude is very scary especially now that she has a child....she could cause serious harm to another child in future if she continues to have this ignorant attitude towards the no nuts policy at schools/social events

SinnerBoy · 30/10/2023 22:38

Yewdontknowme · Today 21:01

Good for you! I'm glad that you were able to project conference, even if your knees were knocking!

I'm so pleased for you that she's been moved away from you and that you can relax a bit.

Mumof3confused · 30/10/2023 22:47

Next time you start to have a reaction, call an ambulance. When they arrive, calmly explain that you thought you were about to have an anaphylactic reaction and point out the person eating nuts.

Newestname002 · 30/10/2023 23:04

@Yewdontknowme

I spoke with the manager first thing this morning and said in no uncertain terms this was their problem to fix. I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one) and said I’d call ACAS tomorrow and the directors if something wasn’t done immediately. The intern has apparently had their university contact the manager about it too. I surprised myself at how confident I appeared so thank you to all those who gave me really good helpful advice.

Well done OP - and I'm glad the intern's university also communicated to the manager. All this could have been avoided if the manager had stepped up and done their job. Unsurprised that Peanut woman may not be as popular as she thought - Hope this means a better working environment for everyone else.

Sometimes I think MN is mad as a box of frogs (not excluding myself!) but at times, like this, reaching out produces such great results. 🌹

Dibbydoos · 31/10/2023 07:15

Your employer has a duty under the health and safety at work act to deal with this.

Call environmental health at your local council and report it.

Your colleague is an AH. What privilege she's showing! And a stupid excuse cos there are plenty of snacks she can eat as a vegetarian.

Jacesmum1977 · 31/10/2023 07:18

Glad this is happening for you.
Of course you’re strong!! 💪🏻
Hope you can enjoy work now

TooOldForThisNonsense · 31/10/2023 08:03

Yewdontknowme · 30/10/2023 21:01

It’s all gone a bit strange on this thread. I’m not addressing some of the BS being posted or justifying my allergy to anyone.

There’s nowt weird as mumsnet!

I spoke with the manager first thing this morning and said in no uncertain terms this was their problem to fix. I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one) and said I’d call ACAS tomorrow and the directors if something wasn’t done immediately. The intern has apparently had their university contact the manager about it too. I surprised myself at how confident I appeared so thank you to all those who gave me really good helpful advice.

I’m told nut eating woman is being transferred to the other room when she is next in and will have it explained to her that she cannot eat nuts near us or in the same room as us or she will face disciplinary action. This is as good an outcome as I can expect.

I have suspicions she’ll be as difficult as possible about it but one of the people I thought was a close friend of hers said they were pleased she was going. Someone up thread has pointed out she may not be as popular as she appeared and I think you’re right.

Result!

well done you!

Banrion · 31/10/2023 08:13

Did it go smoothly when she found out she was moving?

Didimum · 31/10/2023 08:19

I’m so sorry this is happening to you, OP. It’s unacceptable. And some posters here are being completely ridiculous in their responses. I hope she either goes quietly or stops eating nuts and apologies to you. I can’t even imagine being this awful to a work colleague.

cultureplanet · 31/10/2023 08:35

I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one)

but to be fair he could have quoted right back at you from this very site that they strongly recommend offices do not impose nut free policies

Bookloverjay · 31/10/2023 09:26

Yewdontknowme · 30/10/2023 21:01

It’s all gone a bit strange on this thread. I’m not addressing some of the BS being posted or justifying my allergy to anyone.

There’s nowt weird as mumsnet!

I spoke with the manager first thing this morning and said in no uncertain terms this was their problem to fix. I quoted some of the links (including the anaphylaxis site one) and said I’d call ACAS tomorrow and the directors if something wasn’t done immediately. The intern has apparently had their university contact the manager about it too. I surprised myself at how confident I appeared so thank you to all those who gave me really good helpful advice.

I’m told nut eating woman is being transferred to the other room when she is next in and will have it explained to her that she cannot eat nuts near us or in the same room as us or she will face disciplinary action. This is as good an outcome as I can expect.

I have suspicions she’ll be as difficult as possible about it but one of the people I thought was a close friend of hers said they were pleased she was going. Someone up thread has pointed out she may not be as popular as she appeared and I think you’re right.

Fab update OP