Now i think i just pissed everyone at my job off?

i reported to HR this morning that they had bug bombed the place over the weekend and didn't cover anything or even remove the cans...anyway, they sent me home but called a bit ago to tell me the maintenance guys deemed it perfectly fine to go back as if they are qualified. so...i called my doctor (i'm 4 months pregnant also) and he said until everything is wiped off i cannot go back cuz they didn't do that either and there are paper goods and everything that were contaminated. i know i'm doing the right thing but judging from the HR lady's tone, it just sounds like i'm making trouble for them. i'm kind of concerned that they won't wipe everything down like they should and just say they did. these people seem to like to cut corners. you should see my building, really...what the heck would you do in this situation? i've been there about 6 months but finding another job right now is kind of out of the question....
Additional Details
it says on the can that it is toxic to humans and animals if ingested or absorbed through the skin. they won't let me clean it. that's a liability for them and not safe for me either. it's my employer's responsibility to make work safe for me.

ProfessorC

Ever heard of OSHA? Was the bomb stuff sutiable for use around pregnant women or small children?

Marsbar

You are obviously concerned with your health and that of your baby, you need to consider as well that your company doesnt have the resources to bring a in a cleaning crew to wipe down every little spot. You should return to work and clean your own personal area to show that you care for your workspace. They should provide all that you need to make this happen as in cleanign products and a mask to wear until your area is sanitized. If your HR department check with the bug people they wil most likely state that the cans are harmless and that there is no risk of sickness in handling them. It is o.k. for you to be in the vicinity of where has been sprayed but they should ventilate the rooms for at least two hours. Good Luck and HR would only get pissed if you are going around to everyone and playing up the situation.

Mel

You are correct - it is the employer's responsibility to maintain a safe work environmetn for all employees, pregnant or not. I'm kind of surprised that they aren't taking this more seriously, esp. considering the recent reports that link prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides to autism.

Here are your rights:

-you have the right to a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet, which contains all of the info about the bug spray (precautions, long-term effects, etc.) You may need to obtain this from the pest control company - they are supposed to provide the employer with a copy but these folks don't sound too swift. You may find that there isn't as much to worry about as you thought - a lot of pesticides that cause damage to the central nervous system were taken off the market years ago (like DDT.)

-you have the right to contact OSHA and file a complaint. The employer cannot retaliate against you for filing such a complaint.

-Of course you can continue to do as you have been, working with the company management and HR to ensure that the workplace is safe.

I do agree with the other poster that you may want to take some wipes with you and wipe down your desk/work area yourself. There are non-toxic cleaning products that you can use during pregnancy (your house is getting clean somehow, right?) I'd also take home and wash any coffee cups or utensils you use regularly and remove any open food products you may have in your area.

Yes, they may think you're being a pain, but, really, what is your alternative? Wouldn't you rather be a pain now than worry that your baby will suffer serious harm because you didn't? Think of it as good practice for speaking up on your child's behalf in the future.

Good luck.

Empress1

You are pregnant so you might be a little too hormonal. Most pesticides nowadays are more environmentally friendly and not as toxic as they used to be. If you are that upset about it, you could have someone wipe your area...nothing is going to happen to you - think of all those 3rd world women with no food, disease...they have babies all the time and most of them are okay. A little pesticide won't kill you or your baby. If HR causes trouble for you or you feel you are in a hostile work environment, contact a lawyer.

SpaceMonkey67

That's a tough situation. They are responsible for your well being while at the workplace. If they fumigate, they have to fallow all directions on the product. Also with you being pregnant (do they know yet?) they should have told you ahead of time that they were going to do this.
I don't think that there is anything that you can can do about it though. Since you can't change jobs right now, you will just have to grin and bear it. But after your baby gets here, start looking for something better. Where they care about their employees.
Good luck, and take every second of maternity time that you have available. Enjoy that new baby while you can, far too soon they will not want you to hold and cuddle them.

SandraD

+This is so sad to hear I hate how corporate America makes you feel guilty for taking care of yourself and you unborn child ugh it makes me so mad and at the same time very happy I no longer have to deal with it. I started my own Mary Kay business 3 years ago never thinking I would do anything beside get my product half price I was amazed at what I found. I was not the sales type nor did i have any interest in selling I just want to be home with my children. I am so thankful for Divine intervention sorry I didn't mean to go off the topic you are not doing anything wrong especially since you spoke to your Doctor i am sure he or she will support you.

skarrlette

If a business is not going to pay to protect pregnant women then they shouldn't be in business. Its the repsonsiblity of the business to protect its employess period no exceptions. I don't care if they want to cut corners. This isn't the Victorian Era. A cleaning crew is not that expensive they can hire one. Buisnesses need to stop discriminating against pregnant women and start taking care of their own employes/fellow man. Pregnant women should not have to worry because they are asking for something normal that should be done anyway. No one should be exposed to pesticides not even health adults. That is why they passed a aw to protect pregnant women because employers dont' want to deal with it. WELL TO BAD!!!!! Peoples behavior is disgusting. What employers need to realize and understand is women get pregnant and they are always going to get pregnant that is where they get their work force!!! They need to show a little more respect.

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