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Low frequency noise at work

44 posts & 21 voices | Started 2 years ago by richc | Latest reply from Sandwich

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richc - Member

Anyone else suffer with low Frequency noise at work? I have recently moved desks at work and I am sat near some power conduits from which emanates a constant low frequency humming noise which you can just about hear, and to be honest its driving me nuts, and am now suffering with blinding headaches, irritableness and general fuckoffness at work.

Now I have mentioned this to my boss, and basically he says, yes we know about it, but its not damaging your hearing so MTFU.

So I was wondering if anyone on here knows what I can do try and prevent me killing someone? as the constant headaches are driving me nuts and ear defenders + ear plugs don't seem to help, as they block out everything but the hum which makes things worse.

Feels like I am part of a physiologic experiment at the moment, and every time my boss comes over with the MTFU attitude its all I can do not to punch his lights out

Posted 2 years ago #
coffeeking - Member

MTFU

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

I almost MTFU'ed someone with a blunt instrument on Friday

blinding headache is back, bad temper is coming on nicely, might try and discuss this with my boss again today, but this time at the top of a few flights of stairs.

Posted 2 years ago #
Junkyard - Member

Go to a DR and go off on the sick.
Document the effects etc.
Speak to the Union.
Explain how simply changing desks mean you can attend work they will take the hint when you do one week in on week out!

Posted 2 years ago #
thomthumb - Member

speak to citezens advice/ union rep/ hse - surely if it gives you headaches it is not right.

Posted 2 years ago #
wwaswas - Member

threaten your boss with a lawsuit.

He admits the noise exists.

You have told him it is affecting your health.

He's ignored you.

I'd say you have a good case.

Visit your doc and get the symptoms recorded and then confront the boss.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

I am going to book an appointment with a Doctor today, and the ultimately irony is I am being made redundant in 5 weeks and he wants me to do tons of work as they are going to be swamped when I leave, and I can barely talk to anyone as the headaches are so bad.

Posted 2 years ago #
wwaswas - Member

sick leave it is then.

Posted 2 years ago #
Onzadog - Member

Sorry, sounds very much like you just said you'd been signed off sick for the next 5 weeks.

Posted 2 years ago #
samuri - Member

I am being made redundant in 5 weeks and he wants me to do tons of work

If I was being made redundant I'm afraid my work ethic would go right out the window. Absolute minimum.

But I'd go sick if I were you.

Posted 2 years ago #
sv - Member

You seem to have the boss over a barrel - move me or else.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

well that was quick, I emailed environmental health, the EHS rep walk into my area (as he was on site) stood there for 30 seconds and is now arranging for me to move, and he is amazed I haven't killed anyone.

Posted 2 years ago #
donald - Member

Just move your desk.

Posted 2 years ago #
Junkyard - Member

made redundant in 5 weeks and work is affecting your health.
Send an e-mail to boss detailing all the converstaions you have had /requests/ ill health etc saying that if they cannot move your desk you will need to go and see a DR at dinner time. MENTION STRESS IN IT
Dont return for about 5 weeks.

Honestly you owe them nothing at all you are not even really an employee any more are you. Why risk your health / murder charge?

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

I've now moved, and the buzzing has gone. Dr's appointment this afternoon, and the EHS reps are interested in the results as I wasn't the only person suffering. Feeling much better I can actually think now, and the headache has dropped to a dull ache Should have just gone straight to Occupation health straight away rather than bother with speaking to my manager, feel bit daft putting up with blinding headaches for 2 weeks now.

... and to top if off my boss is now trying to arrange for me to work (for free of course) on a couple of weekends as we are so busy

Roll on the end of Oct.

Posted 2 years ago #
miketually - Member

They're making you redundant, but are going to be swamped when you leave? They're making you redundant, but are asking you to work unpaid overtime?

Sounds like the noise isn't the only thing you need to talk to your union about!

Posted 2 years ago #
Del - Member

f7ck 'em.
you don't owe them anything. get your doc to sign you off anyway.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

company I work for, doesn't acknowledge unions or their representatives (US company).

I am getting a decent payout so I don't really care tbh, as long as they don't screw my health up due to cost savings, I am happy to get out of here before it folds up around them.

Posted 2 years ago #
backhander - Member

They're making you redundant, but are going to be swamped when you leave? They're making you redundant, but are asking you to work unpaid overtime?

I hope that you are going to tell your boss that you're extremely busy using your weekends to look for employment and as such will not be available to work. Either that or just to f*** off.

Posted 2 years ago #
RaveyDavey - Member

Are you for real fella??? Are you in line for a big pay out? I doubt it by the sounds of it (no pun intended) either get yoursellf on the sick with stress, then claim for industrial injury or just don't go back in to work and leave them in a world of shit. You owe them nothing and they are showing you no loyalty. As for working weekends tell him 'How does get f***ed sound!'

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

I am in line for a big payout, so I am being careful not to **** it up. However working weekends, and being driven nuts by noise is something I am not prepared to live with.

Posted 2 years ago #
Drac - Moderator

... and to top if off my boss is now trying to arrange for me to work (for free of course) on a couple of weekends as we are so busy

Tell him to **** right off.

Posted 2 years ago #
RaveyDavey - Member

Ah, well a big pay out puts a different slant on it. Going sick can't jeopardise that though I'm pretty sure.

Posted 2 years ago #
uplink - Member

Ah, well a big pay out puts a different slant on it. Going sick can't jeopardise that though I'm pretty sure

Any sort of compromise agreement in place?

Posted 2 years ago #
backhander - Member

And neither can refusing to work for free during the weekend (presumably your contract does not state that you will do this).
Some managers really do take the p1ss.

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

I haven't been given all the paperwork yet. However I am led to believe there will be, and to tell the truth once I have got the money, I will be glad to see the back of where I am working.

Contract says work 37.5 hours a week + any additional time as required. So that normally means around 50 hours a week + 1 weekend every 6 to 8 weeks.

Posted 2 years ago #
gonefishin - Member

If you are being made redundant why would there be "any additional time" required?

Also
I haven't been given all the paperwork yet. However I am led to believe there will be

This sounds really suspect to me.

Posted 2 years ago #
backhander - Member

You could be stuck then. That's a pretty open contract and they could legally have had you working every day for no extra money. Ouch.

Posted 2 years ago #
uplink - Member

Be careful if you haven't got any paperwork yet

redundancy payments are usually calculated as an average of your last 12 weeks work, if you go sick will this be affected?

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

They are paying me a lot of money to leave a job I hate, in a company that is so concerned with saving pennies that they don't even concern themselves with the thousands of pounds they lose in other areas.

So to tell the truth I am happy, and I am 100% certain they won't change the package or end date. I am especially happy now they have moved me away from the **** humming power conduits as well. As for the paperwork, I am pretty certain HR have done all the work I just haven't been shown it yet, as one of my colleagues who is also 'impacted' got his last week and it exactly as expected.

Posted 2 years ago #
vinnyeh - Member

richc - sorry to hijack this thread- about 7/8 years ago I went on what was billed as the 'stw 'core weekend' in Wales somewhere- I think you were there, - can you remember where it was?

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

Not me, I never managed to pull my finger out make it on a forum ride

Posted 2 years ago #
Drac - Moderator

richc - sorry to hijack this thread- about 7/8 years ago I went on what was billed as the 'stw 'core weekend' in Wales somewhere- I think you were there, - can you remember where it was?

http://www.team-chr.co.uk/gallery/Core_weekend

Posted 2 years ago #
backhander - Member

Well rich, whatever happens I wish you very good luck.
I have been the victim of redundancy in the past (w@nker manager) and would not wish it on anyone. I hope that you get a very good payoff and find a brilliant new job. I get no payoff but did get an excellent job and I am far far happier without the stress of working with a person who I hated more than anything. I'll meet him again someday and he won't enjoy it!

Posted 2 years ago #
richc - Member

Cool, sounds like everything worked out well for you backhander

I see it as a positive thing as trying new things is better than stagnating in job you don't enjoy, and are only there because change is 'difficult'

Posted 2 years ago #