Critique my email to corporate HR about my boss's boss

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m going to reach out again for advice from random internet strangers. :wink:

Background for those who stay out of the Pit, with its naughty naughty words:
My boss’s boss has brought into our office a plug-in scent warmer thingie. (Brand name: Scentsy, but I’m not linking to their business.) Damn thing gives me a low-level headache under the best of circumstances, exacerbates my, um, smoker’s cough, and just generally smells like Satan’s asshole if he’s been eating a lot of fruit. (She seems partial to food-based scents.) I’ve nicely told her that it gives me a headache, but she doesn’t give a rat’s ass. She has the emotional maturity of a 3-year-old but is in upper management. Why? Why are Dilbert strips so popular? (Anyone needing more info is welcome to search for the word “grandboss” and my username. You’ll find plenty of stories!)

One particular scent proved so horrific that even other people (I seem to be more sensitive than some) said something about it … touching off a toddler-worthy temper tantrum, because this woman is so messed up in the head that she saw that as a rejection of her pretty little painted toy and therefore, a rejection of her personally, and omg I simply do not want to say something to her directly ever again. It’s sad, but doing that could jeapordize my job, even though I don’t think it’s a fireable offence. :rolleyes:

My direct boss is highly sympathetic but mostly works off-site so she’s been little help. In fact, I think her attemps to help set off the above tantrum, because grandboss perceived it as one more voice in the chorus saying “we don’t like [del]your scentsy[/del] you.”

That said, I can’t just keep on like this. It’s cool and all to have a job with health benefits but the constant headache is starting to negate that. So, I want to send a quiet note to HR that reads thus:
Hello,

Does [company] have any policies or regulations regarding employees having or using strongly scented items in the building, such as heavy perfumes or reed diffusers?
Also, are there any for items that generate heat, such as space heaters, incense burners, or plug-in scent warmers?

Thank you so much for your time.

  • purplehorseshoe

It really is a request for information on my part, because I looked in the employee handbook and didn’t see anything about this specifically. However, I’m worried about this somehow exploding on me in some unforseen fashion. So, can any of you predict a worst-case outcome from me sending this to the HR inbox? Likely outcome? (This being the Dope, bonus points if it involves Hitler and/or dead babies.)

Am I being clever by “burying” the real object of my concern among a few others? (No one burns friggin’ *incense *in the office, ferchrissakes.) My thought was that if this triggered a company-wide “Hey, everyone, here’s a general reminder about some rules,” that it would be less likely to look like I or someone on my team asked. If she got wind of that, it would likely provoke another tantrum, and I’m tired of living in fear for my job.

Any advice or related anecdotes are welcome. (OK, one exception: I already know I need to look for a new job…)

Thanks in advance, Dopers.

  • purplehasaheadache
2

I can see it quite clearly.

Dumbbitchuberboss stomps up to your desk, printed email in hand…

I SEE SOMEONE CONTACTED HR ABOUT MY SCENT WARMER!!!

3

Unless your HR department is particularly effective, your boss’ boss will declare Jihad when you send that email. Be prepared.

4

To me, this message comes across as being quite passive-aggressive.

I realize that that’s not your intent, but to others it may seem like you’re trying to get your boss’s boss reprimanded even though you’re not making a direct complaint.

I have no idea how wise it would be to make a direct complaint in this situation.

This particular email may backfire though, because it could be read as being somewhat underhanded. (“Hey, I was just asking questions.”)

This is all IMHO, of course. I sympathize with your position, and I hope it works out for you in the end.

5

Realistically, best case scenario is HR identifies some relevant regulation. What then? You approach great grandboss with the rules? Not gonna work. Worst case scenario, boss’s boss find out and see this as an insidious passive aggressive attack on her scenty. Since even the best case doesn’t really get you anywhere, it seems like a risky call.

Seems to me, your options are to either approach your grandboss respectfully about the issue, or start preparing your resume and/or sabotage plan. In this economy, I’d probably be wiping some Vaporub under my nose and calling it good.

(Not legal advice, of course.)

6

It would be less passive aggressive if you said “There has been some dispute in my office about the use of plug-in air scents. Are there any company policies that are relevant to this situation?”

Being coy about what the issue really is serves no real point and makes it look like you want a “gotcha”.

7

Just secretly unplug and throw the thing away. Do this every time she replaces it. Its not like there are cameras around, right?

8

I think you need to either tell her that you’re sorry, but the scentsy warmer is making you ill because you are sensitive to scents, and can she please take it home. If you get fired over it, you can always sue for wrongful termination.

I know, easier said than done, but if it’s really making you ill you need to either suck it up and tell her, ask your boss to do something about it, or tell HR about it.

9

When your boss is leaving work quietly approach her from behind and shoot her two or three times in the back of the head. Out of respect to your neighbors, use a small caliber pistol to minimize noise.

I’m not a lawyer so you may want to consult relevant statutes in your jurisdiction before taking this advice.

10

Do not send that email. If you are going to send an email, be direct and say that you are getting a headache from the scent thingy. Leave it up to them how to solve that problem.

ETA: Oh, and document everything. (dates/times, names, actions)

11

Agree with the suggestion of an email directly suggesting a link between the scents and the headaches. It would help if you could provide a letter from your physician backing you up on this.

12

I agree with Dewey… indirect will do nothing. If you want to write a letter, don’t suggest but plainly state: These air scents are giving me headaches. These things create a hazardous work environment that is negatively affecting my health. (And, as stated, if you can, get a doctors opinion that states, yes, the things are giving you a headache).

If your bosses boss start giving you hell, tell her to shut up or you’ll complain that you’re being harassed for making an ADA complaint, and how would that look come bonus/promotion time? It isn’t (probably) an ADA complaint*, but what the fuck… you’re committed, right? After this point, it becomes a battle of wills and politicing. (Politicking?) Document everything: dates, times, scents, brands, symptoms, etc.

If on the other hand you’re not willing to go this far, then suck it up or find another job.

*I’m sure a bit of research can come up with some relevant law or regulation - I just threw “ADA” out there 'cause it’s what came to mind while typing this.

13

I say that you should replace her scent with your scent -

Out scent her :smiley:

Seriously, bring in your own scented candles, scent warmer or whatever that gives off an odour that you are comfortable with.

Alternatively, gift her some smells that you like and hope she uses them.

14

A small fish duct taped to the bottom of her desk drawer.

15

I vote for NOT sending the email.

I think you should put a horse’s head in her bed.

16

Honestly, you have a better chance of keeping your job after sneaking into her office and snipping the Scentsy warmer’s electrical wire than sending this email.

17

Did anyone else consider this may be what the horrible boss is trying to do?

18

If If I were in HR, my assumption upon reading that email would be that you were asking permission to to have a scent warmer yourself.

19

Or cover the smell of stale tobacco, depending on how much the OP smokes.

However, there are workplaces in Canada where this type of thing is banned because it can cause bad reactions to people who are sensitive - perhaps you could do some research on that angle. i think the e-mail, in its present form, is a bad idea.

20

I like this. It looks like you and another coworker have been having a discussion about the things.