Should Perfume in the Workplace Be Banned?
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chemical Sensitivity needs to be considered when constructing or remodeling HUD housing developments. A couple months ago, conservative talk-show host Mark Steyn talked about how preposterous it would be if ADA required scent-free workplaces. While it seems a bit over-the-top, I work with thousands of chemically sensitive individuals across the country and this concept would be a breath of fresh air...pardon the pun. Most perfumes and colognes contain dozens of chemicals that can negatively affect even non-sensitive individuals.
So, If it's OK to ban smoking in the workplace, why not perfume?
I've always championed the concept that green building is not necessarily healthy building. In my opinion, what good does it do to save the environment, if we are still poisoning the human occupants? But, would this type of regulation go too far?
I'm not picking sides on this one yet, so I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this subject.
Sharon Armstrong
6:03 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I could not agree with you more. As an asthma patient, I have extreme problems wherever I go with perfume, cologne, air fresheners, etc. In fact, I was in Canada a few years ago and the city where we were was scent free including their schools, businesses, and so on.
TinaMarie
11:50 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I would love nothing more to live in a scent free, smoking free world but that's not going ot happen. These things never bothered me when I was younger but as an adult I have developed severe allergies to perfumes, body sprays, etc. I can't have scented candles in my place because they make me physically sick! :( I don't think people should be told that they can't wear pefume but they should be respectful to those who have allergies. I think the women at my work thought I just didn't like the scents they were wearing but that is not the case. It's mostly because they wear so much that the scent lingers and you can taste it in the air. YUCK!
WTF
10:51 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
No, I don't think it should be banned. Why do we have to have more laws for piddly crap like this? Why not take some personal responsibility? Why not just have some consideration for your fellow employees or others? Also, some people do things to annoy others, just because they know they are not supposed to do something.
BTW, I hate walking into an elevator that someone just rode, who decided to bathe in Chanel No. 5, Old Spice or Axe; instead of actually washing. The worst though is some women that need to bathe and have that yeasty smell to them. I think you should get a citation and fine for that.
Dawn
8:51 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Absolutely NOT! People should work together - if someone in your office area is seriously affected by scented items then help them out by doing what is reasonable to accommodate their needs. It is impossible and unfair to ban all scents. If one truly think scents should be banned in the workplace maybe he/she should start a campaign to get rid of the grass and trees too since some people are highly allergic to them too. Seriously, where do you draw the line? Perfume is one thing but all scents? No more flavored lip gloss because it might have a scent? No more scented hand lotion? No more air fresheners in the bathroom (can't even imagine that one). Government needs to stay out of this one.
TinaMarie
11:45 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I have mixed feelings because I do believe people should not be told what they can and cannot wear. However, when somebody bathes in perfume at home and then reapplies perfume and body sprays up to 10 times a day while in the office in close proximity to others, I have an issue. I work in an office where we have 3 females that come in on a daily basis with so much perfume that you can taste it in the air. I have SEVERE allergies to it. Hives, throat closure, headache, burning skin...and the list goes on. Once I ended up in the ER because a co-worker sprayed a ton of perfume in our work space right before I came back from lunch. The result? BLISTERS all over my face and chest. I walked right into a perfume assualt (this woman did it intentionally). The doctor I saw told me that I could file a police report against this woman for assault with the intent to cause bodily harm. He said it could be considered a terrorist attack! As for the other 3 women, they have been warned multiple times and only 1 of them no longer wears it (she is the one who sprayed herself up to 10 times a day). I used to enjoy wearing pefume. In fact, I have a very nice collection but ever since I started working at this job, I have developed a severe allergy to wearing it. :( I can't be near scented candles or any type of body spray....those cause even worse reactions. With that said, wear your pefurme but please do not bathe in it!!
Andy Pace
9:25 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
The problem is, common sense is not common anymore. People do not think of others...only themselves. Yes, this goes both ways. Sharon believes that scents should be banned because she has asthma. The other two do not have asthma, therefore, have a different opinion.
I agree that people should have basic common courtesy for others, but that seems to be pie in the sky. I for one, am glad that smoking in restaurants and bars is now banned. Believe me, in the beginning, I wasn't too excited about the government sticking their nose in this. But if we relied on common courtesy, nothing would ever have changed.
mrb2563
5:05 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I also have asthma. I can smell perfume from one cubicle at work for 20 feet. I don't know how these people wear so much purfume and not realize it. I can get a migrane and physically sick from perfume. I am also allergic to smoke. Ironically, many perfumes have some of the same chemicals that cigarettes do. Why do people need to wear perfume at work? I have a choice get away from those who want to wear perfume outside of work, but no matter what job I work, there is always somebody!