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August 14, 2009
Smoking in the Workplace
My boss wife recently relocated her office to our office. At first, I was thrilled that she was coming because we were going to get an AC [wooo hooo]. Everything was fine, until-SHE STARTED SMOKING INSIDE THE OFFICE.
Um, I thought it was illegal to smoke in a public place (e.g. an office).
I am really stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bad enough we are in a recession & there are like no jobs out there; and, I have to travel an hour and 15mins to go to work at a place where the boss' wife smokes in the office.
The last time the smell of the disgusting cig was bothering me, I asked her son if we can get something to put at the bottom of the door to prevent the smoke from entering the room that I am in. He says, "she is not suppose to be smoking"; he marches into his mother's office to ask that she stop smoking. She says, " you are my son, not my father, if you have a problem with the smoke, open the window!"
Yes, she is inconsiderate, but do I really have to work in a situation like this?
I can't complain to my boss about his wife. I can't complain to boss junior about his mom so WHAT DO I DO?
Comments
Is the company so small that there is no one above your boss, no HR department?? If that's the case you are stuck. I'm sure however that the situation could be reported anonymously to the Dept of health or someplace else.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2009 8:33 AM
Places I've worked before where this happened...folks called some OSHA number...and it worked! I don't know what particular office they called (a local one???), but these days, a 311 complaint may work. Just be aware that even if the complaint system allows you to remain anonymous, your boss will likely know it was you since you've already said something to them about the smoke. I wouldnt let that scare you off complaining though. You shouldn't have to breathe that in at work. If you prefer a less direct way, you could always drop not so subtle hints by doing some marathon fake coughing and go home 'sick' one day because of the smoke.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 14, 2009 8:47 AM
Take a dump on a plate and leave it on her desk with a single cig protruding like a birthday candle from the middle.
She'll get the message . . .
Posted by: IronBalls at August 14, 2009 9:19 AM
Also your boss knows that you're on Brownstoner. Open the window. Happy Friday.
Posted by: jack slade at August 14, 2009 10:09 AM
And I'm pretty sure there's no DNA in shit, so she'll never be able to figure out who left the "gift."
Posted by: IronBalls at August 14, 2009 10:14 AM
And I'm pretty sure there's no DNA in shit, so she'll never be able to figure out who left the "gift."
Posted by: IronBalls at August 14, 2009 10:14 AM
Seriously? What does this have to do with home ownership? Life is difficult, it is frequently unfair, and clearly this is just more reason your job sucks. While I understand your anonymous bitching about your life on the internet, this forum is not the place for it - perhaps brooklynian might be a better spot. They are some of the most aggro anti-smoking cats in Brooklyn.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at August 14, 2009 10:14 AM
Thank you all for the comments, especially IronBalls. No, there is no HR Dept. This is a very small office.
Posted by: Miss Breukelen at August 14, 2009 10:27 AM
Call OSHA.
Posted by: vanburenproud at August 14, 2009 11:34 AM
IronBalls, that was puerile, juvenile, and also totally hilarious.
No offense, but lots of times if you don't speak up the very second something like this happens, a moment is lost and she'll now say, "well, you never said anything before!" Even with OSHA on your side, this couple will have to lose face, and they won't like it. However, they'll get over it.
Posted by: infinitejester at August 14, 2009 11:51 AM
Fire Alarm Guy, pull my finger, I've got a noise for you.
Posted by: infinitejester at August 14, 2009 11:53 AM
You can not approach her directly? I mean I have heard of smoking inside at Car Garages, Manufacturing but this sounds like a some what sensible place of work (somewhat), what about approaching your boss the owner of the company?
Posted by: Pragonetti at August 14, 2009 11:53 AM
Since you didn't even have a/c before, I am guessing this is not the poshest of places. You are between a rock and a hard place. I wouldn't rat them out, because it seems like they will find a way to punish you. She's smoking in her own office with the door closed, right? Maybe you can explain to your boss (Sr. or Jr.) that the smoke really bothers you, and propose a solution such as buying smoke-eaters. You know, those ashtrays that suck in the smoke, or some other air filters. They could put one in her office and one right outside the door.
Posted by: Kris at August 14, 2009 12:41 PM
find another f'ing job if you dont like it.
*robert on fridays*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 14, 2009 12:43 PM
tho honestly i dont get why she doesnt just walk outside to smoke. is she obese?
*robert on fridays*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 14, 2009 12:44 PM
NY City law prohibits smoking in the workplace even inside a private office. report it to 311. OSHA is useless on this.
Posted by: smeyer418 at August 14, 2009 12:45 PM
quote:
report it to 311.
and then say buh-bye to your job.
*robert on fridays*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 14, 2009 12:51 PM
She sounds like an ignorant so and so, esp considering the bitchy way she speaks to her son. Call OSHA. BTW Iron Balls, you shed lots of DNA in feces.
Posted by: bohuma at August 14, 2009 1:03 PM
I don't know why you cannot complain to your boss. He has to provide a safe workplace for you and last time I checked it was illegal to smoke in any office building or office. Tell him how it affects you and will interferes with your job performance.
Here is NYS Clean Indoor Air Act
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/clean_indoor_air_act/
Posted by: staceys at August 14, 2009 1:15 PM
Anonymous complaints to 311 do work. I called once, though I think it was directly to the Dept. of Health. A letter was mailed to the boss, and that was that.
Posted by: petunia at August 14, 2009 1:16 PM
I have thought about suggesting getting a smoke filter, or some sort of mechanism to reduce the smoke, but I work for people who don't like to spend $$.
Also, for all those who said to look for another job, I have started. I figure if the head boss can't get his wife to go outside & smoke, then who am I.
Posted by: Miss Breukelen at August 14, 2009 1:35 PM
WTF happened to Brooklyn?
Posted by: Brooklynchimp at August 14, 2009 2:14 PM
I was once in this situation. I complained, and then walked out and then collected unemployment. When they said they didn't fire me, that I quit, I said, do you want me to report you to the Dept. of health?
The answer was no, and I collected for the maximum number of months at the time--it's a lot longer now. However, you have to decide if you can live on $450 (or whatever the maximum is) a week.
Posted by: rf at August 14, 2009 2:25 PM
If this is a multi-tenant office building, you can also complain to building management.
Posted by: denton at August 14, 2009 2:31 PM
I would walk out and take an anti-cigarette break every time she lit up. They can't force you to sit there and endure it, can they?
Posted by: rh at August 14, 2009 4:42 PM
Do you work in the back room of the Bada Bing with Tony and the gang? That's the picture I"m getting
Who doesn't have a/c in their office?
Posted by: Ringo at August 14, 2009 4:51 PM
I would not quit. If you think you can easily find another job then make enough fuss about the cigarettes, reporting them to as many places as you can, IN WRITING as well. They'll either suck it up and she will stop smoking or they will fire you, at which point you probably have a nice lawsuit.
This woman is a moron and needs to learn that she's not above the law.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2009 5:09 PM
The NY anti smoking law has a whistle blower protection section. Also I would report it anonymously but it is hard to get the whistle blower protection if you don't give your name. 311 reports it to the Department of Health. they will send an inspector.
Posted by: smeyer418 at August 14, 2009 5:13 PM
how about a serious heart to heart? also, there are smokeless ashtrays. back in the day when people smoked in the office i sat in a cubicle across from a heavy smoker and he used one and it worked. ventilation systems also work. volunteer to do the leg work on this. i'm a boss, and i'm amazed that people don't tell me stuff that seriously wouldn't bother me in the least. confrontations are uncomfortable, but it's the reality that we are not all the same, and we have to work it out.
butter her up with how much you love your job, etc... and then just ask what you could do to help make it better.
good luck.
Posted by: wine lover at August 14, 2009 6:40 PM
Awesome. There are office smokers left! I know this sucks for you OP because you don't like smoke. But I just had to comment and show my appreciation for a by-gone era. Because I LOVE smoking.
Posted by: HoneysuckleWeeks at August 15, 2009 9:55 AM
I would pull the fire alarm every time she lit up... Just innocently say that you smelled smoke andwere concerned that something was burning. I'm sure the FD showing up will provide incentive for her to stop.
Posted by: brooklynstyle at August 15, 2009 2:00 PM
I would go PA on her ass and get a note from my dr stating an onset of asthma from the smoke at work. They don't want to get sued. Good luck!
Posted by: pattunia at August 16, 2009 2:28 AM
Even though this is a small office, you would think that the head boss (her husband) would be more afraid to get sued then his wife being mad at him. I have thought about quiting/getting fired/suing, but i like my job. I even like her to an extent. I just do not like the smoking.
Posted by: Miss Breukelen at August 17, 2009 8:55 AM
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