Nancy

I’m currently training as a media graphic artist and in order to qualify as one I must complete 3 years of training at either my school (they have a special department for trainees) or at a company. Last month I signed a contract with a company who wanted to hire me and I was thrilled as it means lots of advantages for me - such as a much higher income and the proper training I need in order to get a good grade at my final exam in December.
The joy over this good news stopped abruptly at my first day when I found out that they’re allowed to smoke indoors here. It only took one hour of inhaling the smoke of the two smokers in my particular department, Carl and Birgit, before I got a migraine attack. I spent the rest of that day trying to concentrate about work and figure out how I should approach them on the suggestion of a smoke-free environment.
I screw up my courage and asked Birgit about their smoke policy at work the next day and explained to her that I am a migraine sufferer and that I had to ask them to stop smoking in our department as it was giving me headaches. I dreaded her reaction but she just explained to me calmly and friendly that I should talk to Erik - the shop steward representative of this place, and he would take care of it.
And so I did, immediately. He told me that they had been fighting over the very same issue in the journalist department as the smokers refused to go outside and smoke. It seems that some people, including himself, dislike working side by side with smokers, but no one has seemed to be brave enough to do something about it - not even the fucking managing director! He asked me to try and talk to Carl and Birgit about it first as there was no need to go to the big boss about this if we could sort it out among ourselves. I agreed and went back to my desk. Carl then approached me and said that Birgit had told him about my problem. He then assured me that he was more than willing to pay regards to it and that he’d go outside and smoke from now on.

I then returned to work, all happy.

For about 5 minutes - then I saw Birgit light up another smoke.. didn’t she hear a single word of what I just told her?!

I’ve worked here since July the 10th and so far I’ve had migraine attacks on the 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 18th and 21st.

Helle, the third and last smoker in this department, just came back from her vacation today and an hour ago I asked her kindly to step outside and smoke and explained her all about my migraine problem. She then laughed and declared that she refused to go out during winter! I then suggested that she could go out in the big printer room and smoke (which some smokers do) but she refused, making excuses such as ”If I had to do that then I wouldn’t get anything done!”. Well how the hell am I suppose to get any work done with a nasty migraine?!
Basically she agreed to show consideration ”within reasonable limits”. But since she refuses to go outside and smoke when the windows are open in here, and during winter and go to the the big printer room, I don’t see how she can possibly pay me regards.
I'm beyond angry at the moment. I mean, the woman actually laughed at me! What the hell is wrong with her!?

I’ve just spent some time crying in the bathroom over this because I am so fucking frustrated. Not very helpful, I know, but I just had to relieve my feelings.

This is quite a big problem since:

1) Total ban on smoking in public (work) places won’t be forced through in Denmark until April 1st 2007, so basically nobody can force them to stop smoking... can they?

2) I’ll go have another chat with Erik about this but if he’s unable to force a new smoke policy through, then I only have two choices:

a: put up with this shit and my migraine attacks or

b: quit the job

The latter could be a problem for me because I need to complete my training. And if the school won’t accept this as a valid reason for quitting my trainee job, I won’t be let back in the school’s trainee department and then I won’t be able to complete my education!

I can’t believe that this is going to be a problem just because two fucking smokers refuse to move their asses outside and smoke!



I could use some words of comfort you guys and a ”good luck”. Because when I’ll be dragging Erik and the whole board into this (I say ”when” and not ”if” because I refuse to put up with this!!) this is most likely going to turn into a nasty mess.

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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.