One of the biggest perks of my job is being able to take Holly with me, however a recent new recruit has raised an issue about being allergic to dogs after being in the work place for a few weeks. We have had various dogs in the office for 10 years and currently have up to 4 in on any one day. The new recruit was fully aware of the office set up and the presence of dogs was specifically addressed during the interview stage. No issue was raised, quite the opposite in fact, a liking for dogs was shown - despite being a cat owner! I'm yet to receive an outright declaration of dog allergies but am trying to be prepared for such a discussion and am struggling to find a good resource. None of the dogs are assistance or guide dogs so there presence is not covered any disability act. Does anyone have any experience of this or know of a good information source?
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Sounds like you need legal advice. Is there a recognised medical condition of being allergic to dogs? If there is why didn't your colleague declare it on interview? Roger
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? I reckon that if someone could prove an allergy to dogs, regardless of what was said at interview, dogs would be swiftly banned and that would be that. Interesting to think of the situation of a blind person with a guidedog, and a colleague with an allergy to dogs....
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Think you need some legal advice. Employment law tends to be a minefield, and if the matter of dogs being in the office was discussed at interview with no mention of allergies etc. I think you should be alright but I'm not a lawyer. Is she trying to claim that she's just discovered she's allergic to dogs?
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? I honestly do not think what was said at interview is relevant - if she had said she had an allergy, and had been refused the job on that basis, the prospective employer could be in very hot water. That would easily be presented as a form of physical discrimination.
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? You're 100% right Julie in that it wouldn't be a valid reason to not give the job although I could have used the time before starting to implement some changes in advance. With guide dogs vs genuine allergies, it would be an even bigger issue I think as it could be disability vs disability. Thanks for the input everyone. Perhaps nothing will come of it but shall bear comments in mind and take advice before making any formal response to anything that might come up. On the upside I only have 8 weeks to work before a years maternity leave so at least one dog will be gone and I can use the time off to adjust Holly to not being in the office and find an alternative plan for my return. Also got some deep cleaning booked for the office to refresh the place.
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Hi Steph, I found this site after doing a google search. Some useful information on allergies in general and to animals in particular. it may help. http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy-to-domestic-pets/allergy-to-domestic-pets I found the info interesting regarding allergy to cats and dogs as it seems the same allergen is in play and your employee is a cat owner.... I also found a definition on a website, can't find it now! The definition describes an allergy as a nasal reaction to a substance but nowhere does it mention an allergy as a disability.
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Thanks Rosemary, will have a good read of that
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Are we having a forum baby Steph? Congratulations! Allergies can take various forms. Hayfever like affecting nose and eyes, skin, or outright anaphylaxis. Employment law is one almighty minefield. Good luck x
Re: Dog allergies in the work place - any experiences? Yes and thank you. Just under 3 months to go and we're hoping to make a better job of training the two legged baby than we did with the now 1 year old 4 legged furry one! Things have gone quiet on the allergy front at work so fingers crossed it stays that way.
