Office is not being cleaned causing employee sickness problems

[FlashG]

We are located in a large downtown building in Jacksonville Florida. Some time ago our district manager decided not to pay for regular office cleaning like vacuuming and dusting. The air conditioning is also turned off after hours and on the weekends.

Now this may not be a problem in a northern state but in Florida you?re just asking for employee health problems. So far this year I have had two bouts of bronchitis that were serious enough for me to have to take days off and take antibiotics. Up until this year I have never had any Bronchitis problem at all.

I have had airborne allergies ever since childhood that I take regular shots and medication for. These Allergy treatments use to be sufficient to keep respiratory problems in check but not any more.

So far Management has refused to acknowledge that a problem exists and I?m not the only person with recent respiratory problems. What recourses do I have? I?m afraid to get the government, OSHA, involved because of management reprisals. Do you think that I should seek legal help or what?

 

[intogamer]

HR?

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: intogamer
HR?

We tried but all they did was check the air flow and daytime temperature. They don't acknowledge a health problem.

 

[Sphexi]

Talk to OSHA, they won't know it was you, and if they try to fire you for it you can take em to the cleaners.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Talk to OSHA, they won't know it was you, and if they try to fire you for it you can take em to the cleaners.

yep

 

[FlashG]

OK I'll give it a shot.

 

[The Stigenator]

osha... and state dept of health.

 

[everman]

I'd just inform OSHA, they can shut down the whole office if they wanted to, so your employer will need to comply.

 

[FlashG]

I'm on the OSHA site now "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings". All I have to figure out is how to get the ball rolling.

I think I'll talk to HR again on monday to see if there willing to accept responsibilty to fix the problem. If they try to put me off again I'm going to file a complaint and let the cards fall where they may.

 

[DaiShan]

Vacuum it yourself on the clock? My last employer required that tech support/NOC work until 9:30 PM but the A/C was to be turned off at 6 PM (when he left). We used to complain about it, then realized that we could just turn it right back on after he left

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

How does a company not pay for daily cleaning in their offices? that is just wierd!

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
Vacuum it yourself on the clock? My last employer required that tech support/NOC work until 9:30 PM but the A/C was to be turned off at 6 PM (when he left). We used to complain about it, then realized that we could just turn it right back on after he left

The HVAC is computer controlled. You can request AC for a specific time in a particular area but that's it.

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
How does a company not pay for daily cleaning in their offices? that is just wierd!

Yea it beats the he!! out of me as well. The only things they regularly do is empty personal waste baskets twice a week and clean the papers towels in the wrest rooms daily. I have had to call them a couple of times this year to put toilet paper in the men?s room. I mean how cheap can you get? BTW, this is a multi Bullion Dollar company I?m talking about.

 

[FlashG]

Well I just went on the OSHA site and sent them an online electronic submission form. I don?t know it this will do anything or not.

 

[manlymatt83]

OSHA FTW.

 

[God On Alcohol]

WTF DOES OSHA mean?

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: God On Alcohol
WTF DOES OSHA mean?

OSHA.gov

 

[FlashG]

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety & Health Administration

 

[imported_KuJaX]

Multi Billion Dollar Company? lol, I wonder how much "office space" cleaning really is daily. I can't see how it could be significant enough that small startup companies have no problems paying for cleaning but your company can't? Definately complain or contact OSHA

 

[FoBoT]

probably have to quit and get another job

good luck

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
probably have to quit and get another job

good luck

More than likley

But rl'y I am getting so ready to retire it isn't even funay.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Talk to OSHA, they won't know it was you, and if they try to fire you for it you can take em to the cleaners.

Absolutely

 

[zanieladie]

A-choooooooooo

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: FlashG

Originally posted by: DaiShan
Vacuum it yourself on the clock? My last employer required that tech support/NOC work until 9:30 PM but the A/C was to be turned off at 6 PM (when he left). We used to complain about it, then realized that we could just turn it right back on after he left

The HVAC is computer controlled. You can request AC for a specific time in a particular area but that's it.

I see no problem. Grab a laptop, grab the HVAC control software out of the disused maintainence office, pop the panel off the wall in a discrete, disused location, and get to work.