Workplace fragrance accommodation
I have a documented fragrance sensitivity and have gone through my employer's formal accommodation process.
There are certain areas of my workplace that I sometimes need to access where fragrance is regularly present. This isn't only fragrance from people's personal products. Employees maintain scented plug-ins and wax warmers in some of these areas, and employees also wear strong fragrances. The scent can linger in rooms and hallways, and I've had physical reactions from exposure.
My employer is aware of my sensitivity and my accommodation.
One of the solutions I've been given is essentially to check/sniff the area myself before entering to determine whether fragrance is present and whether it's safe for me to go in.
This is the part I can't wrap my head around. If fragrance is the thing I'm supposed to avoid, I have to expose myself to the fragrance in order to determine whether the fragrance is there.
I don't expect a completely scent-free workplace, and I understand that an employer can't control every shampoo, deodorant, or personal product someone might use.
But plug-ins and scented wax warmers seem different to me because they're intentionally adding fragrance to the workplace environment.
Would you consider asking the person with the fragrance accommodation to personally check an area for fragrance before entering to be a reasonable solution?
If you've had a workplace fragrance accommodation, how did your employer handle shared spaces or areas where scented products were being used?
\- fragrance gives me migraines and respiratory issues (end up needing inhaler and breathing treatments)