Work

[Diane]

I had the same situation you are in right before i got married in 1993. I tolod the boss about my cf and that i couldnt work 9-5, so he allowed me to come in at 12:00 and also informed everyone not to smoke while i was there and so on. The novelty of the no smoking rule wore off quickly with everyone and they only limited their not smoking to only when i was there or they would in the warehouse. One time my boss himself came to show me how to do something and had a cigarette dangling out of his mouth at the time. Howdid he expect everyone else to stick with the agreement HE made that no-one would smoke around me when He himself kept forgetting. The day before my wedding i decided to quit. I loved the job and the flexibility and the extra income, but the smoking issue was too much. I've learned thru time that sometimes lung function can not be regained so do everything you can to maintain what you still have left. If that means quitting, then do it. Your health should come before money, job flexibility, and a friendly workplace. Good luck <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[65rosessamurai]

What I have found in workplaces is, that you first do what you can from yourself to change the environment around you (when you have such work-related problems) before you make the decision to quit and look for another job.
For one thing, there really is no guarantee that the same problem will occur at the new place of employment. And, since you already have 'Tenure' at your current place of employment, It would seem better to work at solving the problem there, first.
I have been very lucky up to this point, in which the rule for smokers to go in a particular area of smoking is all set. Anyone found outside that area are pretty much going to be punished in some way, but they all pretty much honor the rules already set. But, I've heard that if I came into the company a few years, or even a few months earlier, I'd be exposed to the smoking in the office!

This brings me to an idea, that there would be a designated place for smoking. Finding some sort of punishment to it would probably help enforce it for those who find difficulty in conforming to that rule.

Something else I thought of on my way home yesterday, while walking behind some rude smoker who ignored the three signs that said "no smoking" in the train corridor. I thought "if you don't want to follow the rule to smoke in the designated area, then don't smoke! Smoking has no positive health benefits, so be considerate to those who don't smoke."

It does bring me to another idea...from an idea I've seen before as a method of punishment...the co-workers (and even the smoking boss) would pay you $5 if they are found smoking outside the set area for smoking (of course, you may have to invest part of that $5 to your non-smoking spies!)

I really hope your situation can be corrected, I can totally relate to having to be exposed to such environment. I had a dad, and three siblings who smoked in the house while I was still living there, going to college, and we had no "set rules".

Things are better since my sister trained her smoking husband to be "non-smoker correct" in his habit!

 

[65rosessamurai]

What I have found in workplaces is, that you first do what you can from yourself to change the environment around you (when you have such work-related problems) before you make the decision to quit and look for another job.
For one thing, there really is no guarantee that the same problem will occur at the new place of employment. And, since you already have 'Tenure' at your current place of employment, It would seem better to work at solving the problem there, first.
I have been very lucky up to this point, in which the rule for smokers to go in a particular area of smoking is all set. Anyone found outside that area are pretty much going to be punished in some way, but they all pretty much honor the rules already set. But, I've heard that if I came into the company a few years, or even a few months earlier, I'd be exposed to the smoking in the office!

This brings me to an idea, that there would be a designated place for smoking. Finding some sort of punishment to it would probably help enforce it for those who find difficulty in conforming to that rule.

Something else I thought of on my way home yesterday, while walking behind some rude smoker who ignored the three signs that said "no smoking" in the train corridor. I thought "if you don't want to follow the rule to smoke in the designated area, then don't smoke! Smoking has no positive health benefits, so be considerate to those who don't smoke."

It does bring me to another idea...from an idea I've seen before as a method of punishment...the co-workers (and even the smoking boss) would pay you $5 if they are found smoking outside the set area for smoking (of course, you may have to invest part of that $5 to your non-smoking spies!)

I really hope your situation can be corrected, I can totally relate to having to be exposed to such environment. I had a dad, and three siblings who smoked in the house while I was still living there, going to college, and we had no "set rules".

Things are better since my sister trained her smoking husband to be "non-smoker correct" in his habit!

 

[65rosessamurai]

What I have found in workplaces is, that you first do what you can from yourself to change the environment around you (when you have such work-related problems) before you make the decision to quit and look for another job.
For one thing, there really is no guarantee that the same problem will occur at the new place of employment. And, since you already have 'Tenure' at your current place of employment, It would seem better to work at solving the problem there, first.
I have been very lucky up to this point, in which the rule for smokers to go in a particular area of smoking is all set. Anyone found outside that area are pretty much going to be punished in some way, but they all pretty much honor the rules already set. But, I've heard that if I came into the company a few years, or even a few months earlier, I'd be exposed to the smoking in the office!

This brings me to an idea, that there would be a designated place for smoking. Finding some sort of punishment to it would probably help enforce it for those who find difficulty in conforming to that rule.

Something else I thought of on my way home yesterday, while walking behind some rude smoker who ignored the three signs that said "no smoking" in the train corridor. I thought "if you don't want to follow the rule to smoke in the designated area, then don't smoke! Smoking has no positive health benefits, so be considerate to those who don't smoke."

It does bring me to another idea...from an idea I've seen before as a method of punishment...the co-workers (and even the smoking boss) would pay you $5 if they are found smoking outside the set area for smoking (of course, you may have to invest part of that $5 to your non-smoking spies!)

I really hope your situation can be corrected, I can totally relate to having to be exposed to such environment. I had a dad, and three siblings who smoked in the house while I was still living there, going to college, and we had no "set rules".

Things are better since my sister trained her smoking husband to be "non-smoker correct" in his habit!

 

[Ratatosk]

Ugh, I hate that stale smoke smell. Stayed at a hotel a a conference that had switched to no smoking 3 months prior, but they didn't bother cleaning the rooms. Everything in my suitcase reeked of smoke. Had a raging headache most of the time.

With DS, when he was a newborn, his doctor told us that he shouldn't be around smokers -- even ones who don't smoke in front of him because the particles stay in their hair and clothing and then he could breathe them in.

OT, I feel your pain regarding being in a difficult working situation. Right now at my job though, I'd take smokers over the gossipy older women who are on a rampage and driving me NUTS! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">

 

[Ratatosk]

Ugh, I hate that stale smoke smell. Stayed at a hotel a a conference that had switched to no smoking 3 months prior, but they didn't bother cleaning the rooms. Everything in my suitcase reeked of smoke. Had a raging headache most of the time.

With DS, when he was a newborn, his doctor told us that he shouldn't be around smokers -- even ones who don't smoke in front of him because the particles stay in their hair and clothing and then he could breathe them in.

OT, I feel your pain regarding being in a difficult working situation. Right now at my job though, I'd take smokers over the gossipy older women who are on a rampage and driving me NUTS! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">

 

[Ratatosk]

Ugh, I hate that stale smoke smell. Stayed at a hotel a a conference that had switched to no smoking 3 months prior, but they didn't bother cleaning the rooms. Everything in my suitcase reeked of smoke. Had a raging headache most of the time.

With DS, when he was a newborn, his doctor told us that he shouldn't be around smokers -- even ones who don't smoke in front of him because the particles stay in their hair and clothing and then he could breathe them in.

OT, I feel your pain regarding being in a difficult working situation. Right now at my job though, I'd take smokers over the gossipy older women who are on a rampage and driving me NUTS! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

For me, the stale smoke smell of say, a smokers house or even just a smokers clothing is just as bad as being around when there is smoking going on. My throat burns, I get tight and have an ashtma attack within minutes.

If this were me personally, I would look for another job. You've been there a while, you've stuck it out. You have good enough time there for your resume. I would look into the legal side of things though-even just for the future. Maybe you dont' want to do anything about it, maybe you can't. I don't know. Beth Suffian of Suffian and Passamano law firm could help you. She has grants to help Cfers with cases like this free of charge. She has helped me with health related legal issues. (She has cf herself, and helps the cf community alot.) Or maybe there is someone else you could ask. I would, jsut b/c I'd want to be familiar with the laws on this issue, in case this ever comes up again.

Anyway, no job is worth your health and possibly your life. It sounds like its that serious at this point. I hope you can find something else and be happy there.

 

[Scarlett81]

For me, the stale smoke smell of say, a smokers house or even just a smokers clothing is just as bad as being around when there is smoking going on. My throat burns, I get tight and have an ashtma attack within minutes.

If this were me personally, I would look for another job. You've been there a while, you've stuck it out. You have good enough time there for your resume. I would look into the legal side of things though-even just for the future. Maybe you dont' want to do anything about it, maybe you can't. I don't know. Beth Suffian of Suffian and Passamano law firm could help you. She has grants to help Cfers with cases like this free of charge. She has helped me with health related legal issues. (She has cf herself, and helps the cf community alot.) Or maybe there is someone else you could ask. I would, jsut b/c I'd want to be familiar with the laws on this issue, in case this ever comes up again.

Anyway, no job is worth your health and possibly your life. It sounds like its that serious at this point. I hope you can find something else and be happy there.

 

[Scarlett81]

For me, the stale smoke smell of say, a smokers house or even just a smokers clothing is just as bad as being around when there is smoking going on. My throat burns, I get tight and have an ashtma attack within minutes.

If this were me personally, I would look for another job. You've been there a while, you've stuck it out. You have good enough time there for your resume. I would look into the legal side of things though-even just for the future. Maybe you dont' want to do anything about it, maybe you can't. I don't know. Beth Suffian of Suffian and Passamano law firm could help you. She has grants to help Cfers with cases like this free of charge. She has helped me with health related legal issues. (She has cf herself, and helps the cf community alot.) Or maybe there is someone else you could ask. I would, jsut b/c I'd want to be familiar with the laws on this issue, in case this ever comes up again.

Anyway, no job is worth your health and possibly your life. It sounds like its that serious at this point. I hope you can find something else and be happy there.

 

[beleache]

Hi Danyell, Your health should always come first in every situation. I really think that people don't know how serious c/f is. My own family was in denial for quite some time. They always say that i look great. They have no idea how much it hurts inside. Anyway if they are not willing to respect you, then maybe you should look into something else. I know it's not easy, i stopped working about 5 years ago, i was driving a school bus ( the fumes in the bus yard were enough to kill a healthy person) I went on disability, and it was the best thing i did. I have people telling me, how lucky i am, but i would change places with them in a minute if i could have good health ( unless illness touches you or someone close to you, i don't think people have a clue.) Thanks Danyell.......I think i needed to vent too!!!!!!!!!!! Stay well.......Joni 54 y/o w c/f

 

[beleache]

Hi Danyell, Your health should always come first in every situation. I really think that people don't know how serious c/f is. My own family was in denial for quite some time. They always say that i look great. They have no idea how much it hurts inside. Anyway if they are not willing to respect you, then maybe you should look into something else. I know it's not easy, i stopped working about 5 years ago, i was driving a school bus ( the fumes in the bus yard were enough to kill a healthy person) I went on disability, and it was the best thing i did. I have people telling me, how lucky i am, but i would change places with them in a minute if i could have good health ( unless illness touches you or someone close to you, i don't think people have a clue.) Thanks Danyell.......I think i needed to vent too!!!!!!!!!!! Stay well.......Joni 54 y/o w c/f

 

[beleache]

Hi Danyell, Your health should always come first in every situation. I really think that people don't know how serious c/f is. My own family was in denial for quite some time. They always say that i look great. They have no idea how much it hurts inside. Anyway if they are not willing to respect you, then maybe you should look into something else. I know it's not easy, i stopped working about 5 years ago, i was driving a school bus ( the fumes in the bus yard were enough to kill a healthy person) I went on disability, and it was the best thing i did. I have people telling me, how lucky i am, but i would change places with them in a minute if i could have good health ( unless illness touches you or someone close to you, i don't think people have a clue.) Thanks Danyell.......I think i needed to vent too!!!!!!!!!!! Stay well.......Joni 54 y/o w c/f

 

[blindhearted]

Thank you everyone for your input <img src=""> You all have the same opinions as my family. And as bad as I hate to, it does seem like the action to take. Everyone is right, nothing is worth my health. I am afraid if I quit there might be bad blood between me and my boss. I would talk to her about my problem, but honestly, smoking is just one (but largest) problem out of many. I guess I could try again but I think I'm in a "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" type of situation with this.

I do not have a job lined up but I do have a plan. I thought about returning to school for Medical Transcription. It takes a few months of online classes to get certified. I've heard ppl can work from home with this type of job, which would be awsome. I'm just afraid to quit work, start classes and then not like it...that would suck.

Anyway, thank you all for your advice. You guys re-enforced what I've known in my heart...the job is becoming dangerous to my health. Once I decide what to do, the nerve to do it, and when....I will let you guys know. <img src="">

 

[blindhearted]

Thank you everyone for your input <img src=""> You all have the same opinions as my family. And as bad as I hate to, it does seem like the action to take. Everyone is right, nothing is worth my health. I am afraid if I quit there might be bad blood between me and my boss. I would talk to her about my problem, but honestly, smoking is just one (but largest) problem out of many. I guess I could try again but I think I'm in a "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" type of situation with this.

I do not have a job lined up but I do have a plan. I thought about returning to school for Medical Transcription. It takes a few months of online classes to get certified. I've heard ppl can work from home with this type of job, which would be awsome. I'm just afraid to quit work, start classes and then not like it...that would suck.

Anyway, thank you all for your advice. You guys re-enforced what I've known in my heart...the job is becoming dangerous to my health. Once I decide what to do, the nerve to do it, and when....I will let you guys know. <img src="">

 

[blindhearted]

Thank you everyone for your input <img src=""> You all have the same opinions as my family. And as bad as I hate to, it does seem like the action to take. Everyone is right, nothing is worth my health. I am afraid if I quit there might be bad blood between me and my boss. I would talk to her about my problem, but honestly, smoking is just one (but largest) problem out of many. I guess I could try again but I think I'm in a "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" type of situation with this.

I do not have a job lined up but I do have a plan. I thought about returning to school for Medical Transcription. It takes a few months of online classes to get certified. I've heard ppl can work from home with this type of job, which would be awsome. I'm just afraid to quit work, start classes and then not like it...that would suck.

Anyway, thank you all for your advice. You guys re-enforced what I've known in my heart...the job is becoming dangerous to my health. Once I decide what to do, the nerve to do it, and when....I will let you guys know. <img src="">

 

[NoExcuses]

i haven't read the other posts, but my 1st reponse is how can you feel loyalty to your boss when clearly he doesn't have loyalty to you?

i knwo you said that they are flexible when you're sick. but i bet you would be sick less often if you weren't around smoke.

you can always find other place to work. i know it will be hard, but you can find it with some tenacity.

you said it yourself - the 2nd hand smoke is horrible for you. you only have 1 pair of lungs, girl, and then it's transplant time. that's not a walk in the park either. do whatever you can to take care of the lungs that you have, otherwise you'll lose them. quit this job.

 

[NoExcuses]

i haven't read the other posts, but my 1st reponse is how can you feel loyalty to your boss when clearly he doesn't have loyalty to you?

i knwo you said that they are flexible when you're sick. but i bet you would be sick less often if you weren't around smoke.

you can always find other place to work. i know it will be hard, but you can find it with some tenacity.

you said it yourself - the 2nd hand smoke is horrible for you. you only have 1 pair of lungs, girl, and then it's transplant time. that's not a walk in the park either. do whatever you can to take care of the lungs that you have, otherwise you'll lose them. quit this job.

 

[NoExcuses]

i haven't read the other posts, but my 1st reponse is how can you feel loyalty to your boss when clearly he doesn't have loyalty to you?

i knwo you said that they are flexible when you're sick. but i bet you would be sick less often if you weren't around smoke.

you can always find other place to work. i know it will be hard, but you can find it with some tenacity.

you said it yourself - the 2nd hand smoke is horrible for you. you only have 1 pair of lungs, girl, and then it's transplant time. that's not a walk in the park either. do whatever you can to take care of the lungs that you have, otherwise you'll lose them. quit this job.