Help for those who need a fragrance-free workplace

Q:  I have moved into a new role within my company.  There is a woman who wears an excessive amount of perfume who sits very close to my new cubicle.  She also has plug-in air fresheners within her cubicle.  I have noticed that my migraines react to certain strong fragrances.  Right now I avoid that area, however I can’t avoid her forever.  How do I gently her encourage to reduce the fragrances in her area?  I am not her boss but I am her peer.  Others joke about it but it’s not a joke to me.

A:  Fragrance sensitivity issues are now a more commonly discussed topic within our workplaces.  Those will allergies, asthma or other respiratory disorders are often especially concerned, as fragrances can be detrimental to their condition.  Those who suffer from migraines can also be affected.

Many employers have adopted a ban on fragrances in the workplace.  The American Lung Association has a sample Fragrance-Free policy on their website (http://action.lung.org/site/DocServer/fragrance-free-workplace.pdf).  Employers can use this policy as a starting point or as a template for their own policy.  It is a bit more difficult to ask visitors to comply with such a policy but most will comply if they are aware of the policy in advance.

Many employees wear colognes, perfumes and other scented products without ever intending to cause harm to another person.  However, these products can adversely affect another person’s health.

Ask your employer if they have considered issuing a fragrance-free policy.  Some health professionals have compared fragrance-free workplaces to that of smoke-free workplaces.  I expect that we will see more employees asking employers for workplaces which are free from excessive fragrances.  Health care environments, in particular, are at the forefront of this movement.

It is difficult to ask another coworker to change their habits, like their use of perfume or body lotion. However if they understand how the use of these fragrances impact others, this may help them appreciate your concerns.  You can also speak to your Human Resources department to ask your co-worker (and maybe even others) to limit their use of fragrances, air refreshers, etc. in the workplace. Additionally, some employers are asking their janitorial service to use fragrance-free products when cleaning offices.

For more information about chemical sensitivities, visit The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation at chemcialsensitivefoundation.org.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.