I'm living a nightmare at work with my sensitivities/allergies
to fragrances/perfumes/lotions/essential oils. I've had ongoing
problems with a co-worker wearing something that makes me
cough;get throat constrictions and phlem(?). First I was certain
it was the tea tree oil she was wearing at work. My boss asked
her to stop putting it on at work and she did, but then she
admitted to putting it on at home, and the smell lingered and
she brought it to work. Now she is saying that she is not
wearing any essential oils and yet I can still smell something
strongly and having reactions! I can't even work with her, and
tonight she left just before I came on, and the scent was so
bad I had to work in my boss' office with the glass door shut.
Everytime I had to go into the main office I could smell it and
would cough and react. This is now a matter in Human Resources
and they are not taking any sides! I'm now considering speaking
to an attorney about my legal rights. I'm also going to chat
with the Safety Director tomorrow...he deals with this as well.
We even got an air filter a few weeks ago, but it didn't help
tonight (or it might've...and the scent would've been worse w/o
it!) Luckily this co-worker is leaving in 3 weeks, but she
wants to smear my name in HR before she goes! They won't even
let me ask her what products she is wearing so I can find out
what the problem is! And, I even took a note from my allergist
saying I have sensitivites to fragrances!!! To make matters
worse, no one can smell these scents as strongly as I can!!
My co-worker is saying it's my 'Deep Issues'...implying that
it is psychosomatic!! I swear it's not...believe me! Others
have at times smelled it when it's really bad too. Please Advise!!