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Woman Sues for $100,000 Because of Coworkers' Perfume

 

by Glenn Shepard

March 30, 2010

 

 

I'm sometimes asked how to approach employees who have problems with body odor.

 

But a city employee in Detroit has sued and won a one hundred thousand dollar judgment because of the opposite extreme.

 

In the suit, she alleged that the perfume her coworkers wore, and room deodorizer, caused her migraines, nausea and coughing, rendering her unable to do her job.

 

Her attorney argued that the woman has a medical condition called  "chemical sensitivity".

 

Employees in each of the three buildings where she works have now been told not to wear any scented products, including cologne, perfume, aftershave, and deodorant.

 

Personally, I think it's ridiculous to allege that someone "can't" do their work because of what their coworkers are wearing. (Maybe someone should tell her work is not for sissies).

 

But as absurd as it sounds, the legal precedent is pretty solid, and one that employers should take note of.

 

Employees don't have a specific legal right to wear perfume.

 

But they do have a reasonable right to expect to work without having medical conditions - questionable or not - triggered by coworkers.

 

The employee reported her problem to her supervisor, and he apparently failed to take action.

 

The bottom line is that whenever an employee tells you they're "unable" to work because of what coworkers are doing, you should take it to HR, upper management, or legal counsel.

 

 

Dedicated To Your Success,

 

 

 

 

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“You need to sell you and your ideas in order to advance your career, gain more respect, and increase your success, influence and income. ”

 

— Jay Abraham

 

 

Dear Glenn,   

   I'm fortunate enough to have 3 jobs. I am a director of an EMS agency and an active paramedic, I teach for an adult education program, and I'm the Medical Examiner for two counties.

     I work very hard to support myself and my two adult children who are in college.

     Many of my students have been telling me that I am an inspiration and should be a motivational speaker.

   How does one get started?

    I would like to slow down and have one job that I love.

    You are the perfect person to give me insight on this issue. 

Carla in West Virginia

 

Dear Carla,

     I get asked this question at least once a month.

     For the general answer, I'll give you the same advice I got from Paul Harvey 22 years ago - "First, have something worth speaking about, and the rest will fall in place".

      The question that most speakers ask is "How do I make more money?"

      This answer is one that most speakers won't listen to (which is why they remain broke), but those who do always prosper.

   Spend about 70% of your time on marketing, 20% on creating products, and 10% on the speech itself.

       People like Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, and Tony Robbins aren't so successful because they're great speakers; they're so successful because they're great marketers.

      Thanks for your question.

Glenn in Nashville, TN

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