How do I politely ask coworkers to stop using air fresheners?
Question:
I don't want to cause a fuss because I am just the summer student here. But I don't know how to bring it up. Is clean air too much to ask for?
Answers:
Ok, I have worked with a co-worker that was not as polite as you when it came to air freshners and perfumes, ect. But based on her actions and what happened, I don't think that you will honestly win a battle such as this one. She was a permanent employee and was pretty much ostrasized by the entire building.
But - never fear - I have a soloution. This will be an on going issue for you for the rest of your career and my advice is to invest in a small purifiying fan for your desk. The circulation of air will help immensly and keep the scents away from you as well as cleaning the air in your area. If you have an office door, close it. It is not rude. If you are in a cubicle then get the fan. They will range about 20-40 US and Sharper Image even has one that you hang on your neck to purify in your immediate breathing area.
Otherwise, see if the airfreshner that is being used is bought by a can or installed and monitored by the sanitation department (a normal thing where I live). If it is purchased by the can, see if you can ask management to switch to Oust or Nuetra Air. Both of which have no or little fragrence and remove orders without saturating with perfumes. If it is provided by a sanitation company, you are almost out of luck on that one. I have tried because they have horrendous airfreshners.
It is not too much to ask for clean air, but sometimes we have to pick and choose our battles. Good Luck!
Tell them you have really bad allergies, and would it be ok if they didnt use the air fresheners any more.
You may want to bring it up to the HR department first, see what they have to say. They may be able to take care of it for you. Hopefully you have a HR department. I don't, and I'm allergic to perfume and cologne (gives me migraines) and I confronted a co-worker who told me they weren't going to change because it bothered me...about a year of me closing their door when they came in and opening all the windows or covering my face when they walked by they eventually saw that it was bothering me and cut down. I hope your co-workers are more understanding.
just ask if they can stop using it
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