Unsuitable Work Conditions

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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
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artwilbur.com
At my work, I have as of recently been using an LCD monitor from a vacated desk accross the room from me. I have been told to return it and was even written up (without a threat, just out of the blue). Well this has me pissed off, of course.

The original monitor is a 17" CRT. The monitor is 17.5" deep, and my desk is only 24" deep (with a wall behind it, so no way of putting it hanging off of the desk. This leaves me with my elbows hanging off of the desk, and a monitor just a few inches in front of my face, completely uncomfortable, and it cannot be good for me to have a monitor that close. The other option is putting the monitor to my left or right, but I used it that way before, and twisting all day long makes my back hurt like a biatch. I could feel it every step I took with my left foot. I also don't get paid crap, can hardly pay my bills on this crap pay schedule, so I cannot afford health insurance to use to get a doctor's note.

The monitor it was replaced with was a dinky little 15". I am obviously didn't take it for any reason other than comfort (common sense, and I have explained it to them). They say it must go back and will be taking it after I leave work today. It will go back onto an empty desk, probably not to be used for some time.

Let me also mention that there is no policy on moving equipment, and they are trying to call it some type of a policy, yet when my whole computer is moved accross the room (which would be against their imaginary policy), it is perfectly ok. Basically a do as I say not as I do approach. I also must mention that both managers are people who have never been managers before and have no experience or skill in the job overall.

So, in being pissed, I am wondering if there is anything I can do about complaining about what I see as unsuitable, uncomfortable, and potentially hazardous to my health work conditions. I do see that OSHA has an online form...

BTW, I don't care too much about this job, just holding on until another job gets back to hire me (they have already said basically that they will, but after their rush is over for the season).

Thoughts? (On whether I should call OSHA and if it is something that would be a valid complaint, or if I should contact someone else)
 
K1052

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
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Smash the CRT and send out a company wide email telling people that they are a bunch of @ssholes.
 
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Zysoclaplem

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2003
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Sorry bud. Just wait until you have the go ahead, and just leave. Don't even give them your two weeks.
 
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brian_riendeau

Platinum Member
Oct 15, 1999
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BTW, it is a 24x48 desk, is it just me or is this ridiculously small?
Click to expand...

That sounds pretty small. At work I have a corner desk so big that I leave stuff on it just to fill the emptiness.

I have a LCD with one of those cute workstation cases that is barely bigger than a few CDRom drives as well. I have a fan that takes up more space than my computer stuff.
 
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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
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artwilbur.com
Originally posted by: Hammer
carpal tunnel and go on worker's comp.
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I've actually had a bit of carpal tunnel on my left hand. I can feel the tingles and all, but it's been awhile. I'm not sure how to distinguish whether its bad or just very mild. Overall its uncomfortable, but nothing to write home about.
 
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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
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So what do you guys think about OSHA complaint? Is this something they would deem valid to look into? I have spoken to management and they take me as a joke.
 
RandomFool

RandomFool

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Dec 25, 2001
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www.loofmodnar.com
That's a tiny little desk, I'm an intern and i've got a desk big enough for three people.

Pay a janitor to break your monitor and then steal the LCD again.
 
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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
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All right all of you bizzizzniatches, as much as all of your suggestions are valid (especially breaking monitors, sending out company wide f-off emails and burning down the building), but what are your thoughts about OSHA?
 
40Hands

40Hands

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Definitely teach them a lesson about disgruntled employees as it seems they don't know anything about making people happy.

The method is up to how crazy you want to get.

No deaths/injurys please. ;)
 
dullard

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
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OSHA itself has very strict but sporadic rules. I don't have a clue if there are any rules based on the desk size to monitor size ratio. One thing to keep in mind is that OSHA doesn't apply to small businesses (you didn't mention the number of employees in your post).

I personally say just pull the desk out a few inches from the wall, so that the monitor can sit on the back edge of the desk. It'll buy you a few inches of desk room until you get the other job. Or, approach management in a different way. You seem to be confrontational and agressive (just taking a monitor instead of asking for it). Of course their response will be confrontational and to your disadvantage. What about buttering them up and be nice and ask instead?
 
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J0hnny

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2002
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Originally posted by: homestarmy
Originally posted by: Hammer
carpal tunnel and go on worker's comp.
Click to expand...

I've actually had a bit of carpal tunnel on my left hand. I can feel the tingles and all, but it's been awhile. I'm not sure how to distinguish whether its bad or just very mild. Overall its uncomfortable, but nothing to write home about.
Click to expand...

Uh, very easy to get a HUGE sum of compensation with a doctor who would be willing to write iit up for you.
 
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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
3,528
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artwilbur.com
Originally posted by: dullard
OSHA itself has very strict but sporadic rules. I don't have a clue if there are any rules based on the desk size to monitor size ratio. One thing to keep in mind is that OSHA doesn't apply to small businesses (you didn't mention the number of employees in your post).

I personally say just pull the desk out a few inches from the wall, so that the monitor can sit on the back edge of the desk. It'll buy you a few inches of desk room until you get the other job. Or, approach management in a different way. You seem to be confrontational and agressive (just taking a monitor instead of asking for it). Of course their response will be confrontational and to your disadvantage. What about buttering them up and be nice and ask instead?
Click to expand...

BTW, not a small business. See www.connextions.com.

I would love to pull the desk out, but the thing is that it's not really a wall, but more of a cubicle-type situation. No way to actually move the desk out (I would love to be able to do this).

Actually, it did not start as a confrontation. Another account sitting right next to ours actually moved to another building next to us. They left the monitors behind (only on a few computers). Others went and grabbed them and I found the last one. They told everyone to put them back, when I told them about the reasons I have for keeping the monitor. That is when the whole thing got out of control.
 
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Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
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Originally posted by: homestarmy
Actually, it did not start as a confrontation. Another account sitting right next to ours actually moved to another building next to us. They left the monitors behind (only on a few computers). Others went and grabbed them and I found the last one. They told everyone to put them back, when I told them about the reasons I have for keeping the monitor. That is when the whole thing got out of control.
Click to expand...

We do this to people, too. It's not that we don't want you to have a monitor it's because we are required to do inventory control. The CTO wants us to know where all the equipment is. We had 10 people with LCDs and they all moved to another building, we should now have 10 LCDs in inventory. We can't have people just taking whatever they see laying around the office just because it doesn't look like anyone is using them. For all you know there are 10 sales reps starting next week and they are all slated for those monitors.

Bottom line: Next time ask instead of just taking. Your justification became unbelievable when you decided to join 10 other people in absconding with company resources. That's the way it is. I see this all the time. The second you take a piece of equipment without asking, any reason you give is pretty much immediately assumed to be bunk.

Also, I think OSHA would laugh at you.

Go through the proper channels and see if you can get one assigned to you.
 
T

tami

Lifer
Nov 14, 2004
11,588
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their website is really lacking in professionalism. they don't constrain proportions and there's weird formatting all over the place.
 
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homestarmy

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2004
3,528
2
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artwilbur.com
You're right, its not the best way of going about it. The point is that I'm pissed about it (and that it was handled in an unprofessional manner by them). The whole point of this thread is to rant AND to ask about whether the working conditions are anything that OSHA would take any concern over.
 
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