Date: February 22, 2010
1:41:52 PM EST
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Lab Coat Options
>There is
possibility that the chemist is really uncomfortable by the temperatures
even they are set to a =91comfortable=92 level for
most. There are some individuals that require lower
temperatures or higher temperatures to be comfortable because of their
individual body needs. Maybe HR could request the chemist to
see the company doctor to determine of there is a medical condition
underlying is causing him to be hot. Of course
confidentiality of any medical information is a must but maybe if
anything is discovered or not , the doctor may have a recommendation to
help the =91overheated feeling=92. This also protects you and
the company if he ended up being fired and had a condition that was
later discovered, but the company did not rule that out before
terminating him from the company.
Chris,
In the
litigious environment of the US, I think we=92d be hard pressed to find
anything that =91trumps=92 worker safety as being THE key responsibility
of any company - and, as a previous poster mentioned, there is NO
requirement for =91reasonable accommodation=92 for
comfort.
I think
to do anything more than to require the individual to comply with the
most foundational, rudimentary requirement of ANY lab gives this one
person too much power and =91special treatment=92.
If
working in the vicinity of stirrers, hotplates, GC ovens, etc. is
causing this individual a problem (and six others do NOT have any
complaints), then this individual chose unwisely in his profession. He needs to re-think his
priorities, and maybe go back to an academic environment.
Dr.
Bradley K. Norwood
Laboratory Director
Arista
Laboratories
1941 Reymet
Road
Richmond, VA 23237
(804) 271-5572 ext. 307
(804) 641-4641 (cell)
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