Allergic Rhinitis and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Allergic Rhinitis and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and incompetent management.

Not all men or women are created equally. Throughout my life I have considered myself to be physically fit with no known allergies or health related issues (other than acid reflux problems and sleep apnea). I was raised to believe that if you work hard and treat people fairly that it will all pay off in the end. Apparently there are some individuals that were not raised the same way as kids or young adults that I was.

I was working for a Metairie based Engineering Firm that has been in business for many decades. Their Northshore staff was extremely friendly and pleasant to work with. My hiring supervisor was very pleased with the way I was able to get the other employees to mesh so well together. That was then...

Of my entire working career of some 20+ years, I have always been informed that if you are going to quit or resign from a job that you provide 2 weeks notice. Which is clearly understandable. Unfortunately, the management and human resources contact at this engineering firm left me no alternative than to resign on the spot.

You see, back in December of 2009 there was a new boss in town. He was to assume the roll of the retiring company regional president. My hiring manager got demoted in the process. In the first meeting with some of the staff we had to sit in the new bosses office. After the meeting had concluded I informed the new boss that his air freshener and cologne wreaked havoc on my sinuses. The new boss defensively snapped "I cannot work in a stinky office" and left it at that. I was shocked and left the office to return to my desk.

The following week after suffering from the unbearable fragrances emanating from the new bosses office I had to seek the retiring regional president's council on the matter (since the regional president was still the new bosses supervisor.) I suggested using a more tolerable air freshener (like certain Yankee candles) or less chemical smelling ones. The only reply I ended up receiving was "Ow, you hurt my feelings" which I assume was the regional president pretending to be the new office manager with his feelings hurt about being told that his air freshener and cologne over usage were overwhelming to me. There was no reassurance that it would be taken care of like a prudent manager would. I assumed (which I shouldn't have) that since I told the new bosses supervisor that all would be fixed.

Days turned into weeks, daily headaches during and after work became the norm from the unbearable smells coming from the new bosses office. Constantly closing the bosses door when he was out of the office was turning into a ritual. Using my hand and fingers to try and cover my nose during work was somewhat helpful. Development of runny noses at work, constantly clearly my throat and coughing developed during the daily exposure to the new bosses fragrances. Bitter chemical taste in my mouth (as if you accidentally sprayed cologne or perfume and tasted it)

Over a month had passed and nothing was ever done after informing the retiring regional president about the problem. (I guess he didn't want to make waves on his way out) I spoke with the acting human resources contact for the company (since the original human resources contact had been laid off months prior due to cost cuts) about who to speak with about office problems and if there was any information in the hand book about air fresheners. She explained to me that there was no smoking in the office due to asthma sufferers. I received a copy of the 10 year old handbook (yes dated 2000). I found no information to assist me with regards to the air freshener and cologne over usage. I did however make numerous discovers as to the multiple rules and requirements that the new boss had already violated with regards to my health concerns.

Days later I attempted to plead my health problems with the new boss again explaining that I suffer from acid reflux disease and that at night with sleep apnea I can inhale some of my stomach acid leading to inflammation of my throat. I began to tell him that the air freshener was exacerbating these inflammations. This was the only thing I could think of causing my health problems in relation to the air freshener and cologne over usage from the new boss. The boss stood up and walked away from the meeting flailing his arm in the air exclaiming that he will move me far away from this office if necessary. I was dumbfounded that a supposed competent manager could act so incompetent, disrespectful and callous to a fellow co-worker. Immediately after this transpired I called the human resources contact in the Metairie office to explain what had just happened. I was informed to write down everything and email it to her, which I did.

The following week, select employees from the Mandeville office were called into a meeting with the new boss. The new boss said that work is coming but not yet approved and would hate to send anyone home while waiting on the approval (as if to suggest, stay in line or you are going home). I was informed that I would be switching seats with another employee. This seat was in the same room, same air distribution system and a few feet away. There was no reason for this move other than retaliation. I asked the new boss "any particular reason for this move". He snapped defensively "No reason" immediately followed by "I have the authority" and "my preference" any rational man or woman can obviously see that this new boss has an issue with power and was fully exercising it to satisfy his over-inflated ego.
After the meeting I requested the other two employees sign my notes from the meeting to verify accuracy of what was talked about. Both refused, obviously fearful for their jobs from this vindictive, retaliatory boss.

The problems with breathing, coughing, headaches and throat clearing got so bad that I began wearing an N-95 breathing mask to work. I began having hyperactive bowel sounds during work (like when you are hungry and your stomach growls) but I was not hungry. I scheduled doctors appointments and was referred to a specialist (allergist). My primary doctor diagnosed me with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or MCS. After completing the Allergist testing (2 visits) he concluded that I had Allergic Rhinitis and was informed to stay away from the substances causing my symptoms.

I dreaded going into work each morning knowing full well what to expect, headache, runny nose, coughing, clearing throat, chemical tastes in my mouth and elevated stress levels.

I broke down and cried to my wife one morning explaining what I was going through. I have been married to her since 2002 and I have never cried during that time. These were not a few tears... this was uncontrollable sobbing for fear for my life. I stayed home that day (just typing this all over brings tears to my eyes all over again knowing that I am out of a job due to some jackasses callous actions towards me as a supervisor.) NO MAN NOR WOMAN SHOULD EVER BEEN DRIVEN TO TEARS FOR THEIR EMPLOYER.

The headaches, the runny nose, the coughing all become too much for me at this engineering firm. At work I had uncontrollable gagging and difficulty breathing, uncontrollable sobbing at work. Walking outside to inhale untainted air and collapsing to the ground unable to breath. For what and why?

After the collapse the engineering firm FINALLY did something. They removed the air fresheners and replaced the air filters with HEPA filters. It was too little too late. The damage was done. The best way to explain the condition I have developed is to equate the air fresheners and cologne to the Sun (yes the heavenly body in the sky) and over exposure to the Sun gives humans sunburns if not adequately protected. With my airways being over exposed to the air freshener I had developed, if you will, inflammation or burning from something in the air freshener or cologne that I had allergic reactions to. The only way to remedy it was to remove the irritants. Removal of the irritants (air freshener and cologne) was not possible via NUMEROUS attempts to both the offending new boss, upper management and human resources with this company. If someone has a bad sunburn you won't see them at the beach in the sun now will you.

I was told by the human resources contact that I had to do what the new boss says... he is my boss. Even after being chastised in an email from the new boss with a carbon copy to my peers criticizing my work (which I know is stellar, ask my demoted supervisor). You don't graduate from college with honors not knowing what the hell you are doing.

That was the day I walked away from a 50k a year job. There was no way I was going to put my life at risk any longer from some jackass' callous inconsideration of a my well being.

I turned in a typed letter of resignation effective immediately. Turned in my computer passwords, office keys, cleaned out my desk and walked out.

A job is a job and there are millions of jobs in the world with good COMPETENT bosses. There is only one ME and I know that there is a company out there that will benefit greatly from my knowledge and level of expertise.

There is a pending EEOC case (about to start into the 7th month with no response from EEOC investigator) against this company due to the retaliatory actions of this new boss and the negligence of the management staff listing my numerous verbal and written pleas dating back to January 2010. Numerous grievances against the new boss fell upon deaf ears. Money drives this company and the well being of subordinates is of little concern to them. If it was one thing Pete Territo taught me at Southeastern Louisiana University in our Loss Prevention Class it is to C.Y.A. (Cover your Ass) and I did, documenting every time I talked to management, everytime I talked to human resources, everytime I closed the door to the new bosses office. Documented it all. I was not born yesterday and I know right from wrong.

A recent news story comes to mind after going through all this... Toyotas for YEARS said nothing is wrong with our cars... Our cars are fine. Low and behold they weren't and numerous people died or were injured due to not heeding the pleas for help. The accelerators were sticking.

In 20+ years of employment I have NEVER been put through so much for ANY job. I have never been sued nor sued anyone before in my life. I feel lawyers are out of control the way they pounce on everything to earn a buck (look at the Chinese drywall commercials and the BP gulf oil spill ads now.)

Learning how to contact the EEOC and file paper work is all new to me... it is not like your employer is going to educate it's staff on how to do these things against the company.

I have been unable to claim unemployment due to this companies refusal to admit to wrong doing. I'd be more than happy to submit to a lie detector test if anyone is willing to offer the test for free. I'm willing to talk to any newspaper or TV station if it will help my case any. I should not be the one out of a job looking for work.