WWYD: Office Painting

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

So, my office at work is going to be painted. While we are in it. Like, they will paint around us, and there are no windows to open. So I will sit in this office for 9 hours that day while they paint around me.

Is this ok? They SAY it's the "safe" kind of paint or whatever, but to be honest, I don't really trust that, since everything this company does is pretty cheap.

I don't want to raise a big fuss about it if it's fine, and I also don't want to use PTO just to take a day off for that. But, if it's not cool...I don't know what to do, since I've already asked questions and they were like "OH, it's fine, relax."

pnwlover12 · July 2014

Maybe use the doctor card? Like, oh, I casually mentioned to my Dr. That our office is being painted and they want to confirm it's safe. Ask the type of paint they're using.

I'm not positive on this, but I believe most interior paints are VOC (is that the right term? It's 6am and I'm tired still lol) free, but I could be wrong.

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

In general, interior paint is ok as most have low fumes now. I would suggest a lot of outside breaks for fresh air though (even without being pregnant). Hopefully it doesn't last long and you have a nice pretty office when they are done!

cozybluebear · July 2014

Can you put a small fan on your desk to help?

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

Thanks everyone. I'm just torn. I don't want to be a bitch or make waves, especially since my boss lets me go to the doctor for hours at a time and doesn't penalize me (I'm hourly, I SHOULD clock out, and I do, but I notice that he always fixes my timesheet so it only reflects one hour--my lunch), he's going to allow me to take whatever time off after the 12-week FMLA if I happen to go early with this baby (no daycare until January 5th). He's working with me. But this isn't HIM, this is the building.

Someone DID ask, and it's the "safe" VOC or whatnot. When they painted the kitchen, it was strong. I'm not really one to be bothered by smells normally, but all day? I'm not sure. I feel like I should maybe contact HR and alert them that if I feel unwell, I'd like to know what I need to do. If I feel ok, I'll stay. But I have no way of knowing.

It just pisses me off that they can't do this after hours or on a weekend.

BeanNut · July 2014

It sounds like your boss if very flexible . I would just ask if there is an alternate place you can work for the day or if not, is it ok to breaks from the fumes throughout the day.

Maggie6424 · July 2014

I wouldn't stay there.. those fumes will give you a major headache if nothing else. I'd ask to work from home (if that's doable with your job) or tell them you'll need to work in another area.

NavyFlyer · July 2014

I know this is super lame but you could wear a mask.

DaniGrace89 · July 2014

I wouldn't sit in the office.

Talk to your doctor and as PP said, use the doctor card.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

BeanNut said:

It sounds like your boss if very flexible . I would just ask if there is an alternate place you can work for the day or if not, is it ok to breaks from the fumes throughout the day.

I can't work from home and there's really no where else I can work. I'm sure I can take breaks, though. The thing is, though, we are understaffed. We are very busy.

I think I'm going to play it by ear.

I DID however, since I started this post, email HR to ask when it's happening, and voice my concerns, but no surprise. No response. So. I'll update back again.

ADH0906 · July 2014

I completely understand you benign concerned...they are getting ready to do a months-long complete renovation of our entire office and just shuffle people around while it's happening. I'm not so worried about being harmed by the fumes because it will be low VOC paint, but it does sometimes give me a headache and I'm slightly worried about all the dust, etc. my situation is different because I can work from home whenever I like, but I'm going to play it by ear. I think the best you can do is make sure your concerns are noted ahead of time and see how you do.

Waterlilly11 · July 2014

If there are no windows, NO way!

aboodtobe · July 2014

You are legally entitled to have accommodations provided for you regardless if you think the fumes are toxic or not. The mere fact that you are uncomfortable and it is distracting you from your work is enough. Your request can be verbal (but I prefer written email as documentation). You can ask to move to a different area (although that may not be an option), or have your work scheduled around the painting times. Honestly, your employer and HR department are required to respond to you and apply "reasonable requests for accommodation."

It sounds like your boss is pretty chill too. So I'm sure just notifying him would be enough for him to find a solution for you.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

Well, as an update, HR emailed me back and said "Good news, there is no scheduled painting in your area." I emailed her back and said "Why was the operations staff in here, with a contractor, measuring, saying it was for painting?"

I do not believe her, but if they show up to paint, I'm out, because I asked first, I tried to reason with her, and she is all "no one is coming."

BreandMikewedding · July 2014

My ob specifically says not to be around these fumes. I wouldn't be in there with those fumes for 9 hours even if I wasn't pregnant!

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

@jalara48 Nope. She (HR) didn't answer my email when I said "but they measured and told us they were painting," and no one came around.

I'll be good and pissed if they do in a few weeks, because I even gave her a compromise (I have to take a floating holiday July 29th, so they could have scheduled it that day).

Now, after I've tried to reason with her and get answers, if they DO end up painting, I'm more inclined to leave and tell them it will not be taken from my PTO and it will not be without pay, they can figure it out.

JessAnnJ · July 2014

Maybe they were going to reschedule the painting to a weekend or after hours for the people that complained and that is why the change? We buy the most expensive lowest VOC possible paint and I still can't be around it. I think if I wanted to make the least possible waves and I were in your situation then I would let it go for now as you already mentioned. If they do paint I would go to my boss as soon as they started painting and say the smell is making me feel ill. Ask if there is another place you can work from, and it sounds like you already know the answer is no, and then say that you're sorry but you can't work in there with the painting. It sounds like your boss will do the right thing and not charge PTO, but if he doesn't then you can make a bigger issue and follow up in writing and mention your prior email.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

@JessAnnJ They say there is NO scheduled painting in our area at all now. At first, that's what I thought, they were being normal about this and not just painting around people and their things/desks. But she's claiming NO painting is happening. Maybe they just changed their minds. No clue.

I'm going to go about it like you describe. The only reason I went straight to HR was my boss was out Thursday and Friday. I'll deall directly with him should it happen...but fingers are crossed it won't happen at all!

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