Guy with severe allergies tries to force coworker get rid of his dog.
Allergies are one of the most common medical conditions in the world. Severe allergies can be life-threatening, while less severe allergies can range from a mild annoyance to almost intolerable, if not dangerous. Most of us have experience something in this range.
You can be protected by the ADA (American Disabilities Act) for having allergies, which requires your workplace to make 'reasonable accomedation' for your condition. For people in wheelchairs, these are things like ramps and accessible bathrooms. But what are the right reasonable accomdations for someone with severe allergies?
Read this story and see what you think...
I work in a warehouse with about 26 other people. Been there for five years now. I have a Japanese Akita. These dogs shed a lot. I have pictures of my dog at my work station. So they know that I have him at home. It's not a secret or anything.
This has caused an issue. One of my new coworkers is allergic to dogs. When they use the break room they start sneezing a lot. They think their allergies are because of my dog at home.
They went to the boss and said that they needed to be accommodated because of their medical condition. My boss came to me and asked if I could please do anything. So I started keeping a clean set of coveralls in my locker and I put them on as soon as I get to work.
This seems like a more than reasonable accomodation, but if it doesn't work, what do you do?
Apparently this was not good enough. So I started just staying out of the break room. Nope. If they came into my zone they started sneezing. They told my boss that I should be forced to get rid of my dog because it was affecting their work.
Some offices will actually allow you to bring your dog to work, especially if it's a service dog. But here we're seeing the opposite. This person wants their boss to tell OP to get rid of his dog at home!
The thing is I know that I'm not the only one with a dog. At least three of the guys I work with have dogs. I told my boss that I will never consider rehoming my dog and they can just take some benadryl or something.
Like us, he's definitely not going to narc on his coworkers, but this puts him in a tough spot, especially if he doesn't want to escalate to the point of getting a lawyer involved. Although this would be a great job for The Shaggy D.A.
Now they are crying that they might have to quit because they can't work here. I just don't care but they certainly do. They are saying that I am an asshole for prioritizing my dog over their livelihood.
Edit: My boss got me the extra coveralls and arranged for the extra washing as an accommodation. I volunteered to stay out of the break room.
Here's what people had to say:
Druidgoddess suggests:
Take the dogs picture down. Say he’s gone now. Keep dog.
Repulsive-Seesaw-96 OP says:
Good idea. Thanks.
Can you and the other workers go to HR together and state the new worker is making a hostile work environment. For all they know your dog could be emotional support. Unless your dog was coming to work with you, they cant ask to rehome them.
This person is risking YOUR homelife. Same as they can't tell you who to date, who to live with or what you eat. I would take down the pictures and ignore the coworker. Tell your boss is it the end of discussion and will go further up the chain.
My husband is military and no one would ask to rehome unless going some where they can't bring the pet. Not because allergies of a coworker.
Early-Light-864 says:
NTA. Allergies are protected under ADA, but dictating the home life of other employees is not a 'reasonable accommodation'
Reasonable accommodations would be things like scheduling him in a separate work area, allowing time off for doctors, stuff like that.
ghostieghost28 says:
I want to call BS. I have a feeling coworker has an issue with OP and this is their way of getting back at them.
We agree with the 'hostile work environment' concept, but that could be a lot of work. Our solution? Put the coworker up for adoption (to another job). We're with OP. Woof woof!