For the past 5-6 weeks, i've been battling negligent management at Myer. Working in Myer menswear, i have encountered what seems to be Dustmites.
During my 2+ year tenure in Menswear, i have constantly endured irritations, flare-ups, rash like marks, mosquito like marks during and after work. I have lost countless hours of sleep, been emotionally drained and plunged into testing moments of patience all because of what i strongly believe is due to the workplace at Myer. It took me 1.5 years to speak up about the issue as i was not sure as to where the root source was. Speaking to fellow staff members out of pure frustration, i discovered that i was not alone; nor were menswear staff that were affected.
I have since had a blood test and a skin allergy test. the Skin allergy test results indicate i am allergic to Dust, horse hair, some form of bacteria that grows in moist conditions, and most importantly, i had an outstanding reaction to dustmites. Somewhat relieved to have that documented, i am now waiting on Cathy from Safety services to get back to me about what Coles Myer (CML) will do about the situation. It has been 2 weeks since i've last heard from her, where she promised she would call me the following working day (a monday). Somewhat dissapointed, so far from this experience i have learnt that expressing ones displeasure during negotiations and informative sessions via aggressive and frustrative tonal language is pointless. Not that i've done so, i've been tempted many times but have seen the benifits of a controlled, clear and directive approach.
Basically my tact now is to get written documentation of others experience with dustmites and the management response they recieved.
What have management done about the situation? Well initially - jack all. I spoke to Ros Fletcher, Melinda Siladi and Karen McInnes (store manager) about the whole situation and everytime i have encountered a broom thats more than eager to sweep the situation under the carpet. Ros and Melinda just downplayed my claims that my situation was workplace related. They didn't want to even know about it. They both said that the place was 'regularly' sprayed every 6 mths, so there couldnt be any mites/bugs out the back. And apparently according to them, that was the first they had ever heard of it............... - which is complete rubbish mind you.
Karen McInnes, my store manager that i will bring down like a tonne of bricks will suffer dearly for her negligence and failure to comply to the Workplace policy Myer embodies. All that i have recieved from her have been dismissive, abrupt, non-professional remarks. As she has been away on holidays i decided that it was best to get the ball rolling. I've since spoken to the 'newbie' managers - Wayne, Trent and Megan. They haven't been outstanding in their response, but they have certainly been understanding and professional about the whole incident - for that i commend them.
So basically, i now await a few things. I need to get more written personal encounters, blood test results, documented skin allergy test results and Cathy from Safety services. 3/4 that is out of my hands for the time being.
Posted by sleong at January 27, 2005 10:43 PM