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Distracting coughing
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Distracting coughing
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Not sure where this falls. We have an employee ("John") who has a chronic cough. The office is small and the entire staff is keenly aware and often disrupted by it.
As the personnel guru, I have ap
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Forums » Topic Forums » Legal Forum » Distracting coughing
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/5/2011 5:43 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 2/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Not sure where this falls. We have an employee ("John") who has a chronic cough. The office is small and the entire staff is keenly aware and often disrupted by it.
As the personnel guru, I have approached "John" in the past to inquire if he is feeling okay. It is now at a point that I think I need to take some action, not with him, but perhaps his co-workers. They have started a joke around the office. Whenever "John" is out of the office and another employee coughs they will joke: "I thought 'John' was on vacation" and laughter ensues. If I don't approach the employees making the joke, can "John" cite harassment if this gets back to him? Frankly, I am unnerved by it as well but I want to approach it cautiously and appropriately. |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/5/2011 8:40 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 2/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Yes, there are natural functions that work their way into the work day. But when the person sounds like a lung is coming up every minute (I did you not and he doesn't even smoke) and 5 of 7 staff are talking about it and it is disrupting their concentration, aren't I compelled to address even them? |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/5/2011 10:12 AM EST
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Why? Does it affect his performance? Does it affect theirs or are they simply annoyed?
Take it a step further. Lets say John was hearing impaired and as an accommodation he had to use a speaker phone turned up real loud. If the other employees complained about the loud calls what would you address with John (say "nothing" because their is nothing to address). Admittedly John does not need to cough in order to work or perform appropriately. But again, John coughs and that is simply that. If Mary sniffs loudly through her nose or Carl cracks his knuckles would you personally engage in everyone of these human behavior idiosyncrasies? If you do then your performance suffers. Sometimes the best answer is imply to tell those complaining that it isn't a problem and to go back to work. |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/6/2011 2:52 PM EST
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Posts: 43
First: 10/14/2000 Last: 8/18/2011 |
Having been the person who was sounding like I was coughing up a lung, I doubt very much that "John" is functioning well. And I can guarantee that he is not feeling well.
Have you considered having him consult a specialist? Mine turned out to be a combination of asthma, GERD and sinus drainage. Once I finally got relief, I felt like a new woman! This is not a HR response, just a personal one. |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/6/2011 4:23 PM EST
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
From an HR point of view, suggesting specific medical treatment can lead to the fact that you might now be assuming this person has a disabling condition and you might be invoking ADA without realizing it. That is usually something no HR person wants to do because it can be a whole huge can of worms. Sometimes a condition is required to be covered because you assumed it was a disability -- even if under the law it would not be! So be very very careful here.
I think the best thing to do is tell the others to deal with it (without the sarcastic comments/jokes) and gently let him know that it is distracting to others. But I would NOT suggest a specific solution. And I doubt the cougher really likes coughing! |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/7/2011 6:03 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 2/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Thank you for the thoughtful responses. I approached the employee and asked if he was feeling okay. He stated a) he wasn't aware of how much everyone could hear and b) that he only does it in the office. He did say he caught something, but when I pointed out to him that it has been going on for at least 4 months and that I was concerned given my mother has major pulmonary issues, he decided to speak with his Dr. Also, I asked maintenance to change his filter, which was filthy! Thank you.
p.s. the next day, I heard the executive director ask him if he was okay, so even the "ivory tower" is hearing it and concerned for his health. |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/7/2011 8:10 AM EST
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
'only does it in the office' ---> be prepared for one or more of the following: a Workers Compensation claim (health related issue related to work environment), an OSHA claim and/OR an ADA request for accommodation.
That said, I would definitely look at your maintenance logs on the filters and make sure to keep them up to date. Maybe I am just too cynical though.... |
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Distracting coughing
posted at 1/7/2011 11:17 AM EST
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Posts: 2442
First: 2/12/2000 Last: 9/14/2011 |
I agree with the above note about "only does it in the office". It does sound suspicious particularly if no one else in the office is having a breathing problem..... however he may have an allergy that the rest of the staff does not. |
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