Yesterday was a very exciting day for me with regard to my misophonia relief in the workplace... The HR person in my office said that they were willing to relocate me to help minimize my exposure to misophonia triggers. When I first approached him a couple of months ago, I was hesitant to even mention the condition and didn't think the firm would be willing to help address my frustrations but boy was I wrong. The firm wants employees to be comfortable in their work environment and was willing to work with me to help find a solution. From our conversation, I realized that the firm would be devistated if I quit because I was uncomfortable in my work environment if there was something that could've been done to make my situation more bearable. Very different experience from my dealings at prior firms.
I almost wonder if it's not just the attitude of the firm but the Midwest "culture" out here in general. I just moved here at the end of 2011 when, for 40+ year prior to that, the furthest WEST I've ever lived was DC. (Essentially, I've lived in major cities between DC to Boston.) Life out east was very intense compared to the Midwest, and I can recall many times where I politely (even meekly) asked someone if they could stop doing something that I now know was triggering my misophonia. Most of the time they responded with a stern, "Why?" or kept doing the trigger even more; but ever since I moved to the Midwest, I find that when I'm in the same situation, people are much more understanding about my request. (Heck, one gentleman in a window seat across the aisle from my window seat switched sides with me because I nearly died by the perfume scent trigger from the woman sitting in front of me.) The sincere generosity and kindness of the people I've met since moving out to the Midwest isn't lost on me, and I think it's why I felt I could approach my firm with how my misophonia has been affecting me in the workplace. I'm glad my instincts were right and I did not hesitate to let them know that their concern about my situation is VERY much appreciated.
There aren't too many areas in the office where I'd be completely removed from triggers, but the one place where I'll be relocating is an area that I suggested. It will keep me fairly close to my team, it is has fairly good sound obstructions (including higher partitions), and it distances me from general circulation traffic as well as some of my known triggers. There may still be some exposure to triggers, as it does bring me closer to the reception area, but I think the space is enclosed enough that I should be buffered from the majority of my workplace triggers. Only time will tell...
I almost wonder if it's not just the attitude of the firm but the Midwest "culture" out here in general. I just moved here at the end of 2011 when, for 40+ year prior to that, the furthest WEST I've ever lived was DC. (Essentially, I've lived in major cities between DC to Boston.) Life out east was very intense compared to the Midwest, and I can recall many times where I politely (even meekly) asked someone if they could stop doing something that I now know was triggering my misophonia. Most of the time they responded with a stern, "Why?" or kept doing the trigger even more; but ever since I moved to the Midwest, I find that when I'm in the same situation, people are much more understanding about my request. (Heck, one gentleman in a window seat across the aisle from my window seat switched sides with me because I nearly died by the perfume scent trigger from the woman sitting in front of me.) The sincere generosity and kindness of the people I've met since moving out to the Midwest isn't lost on me, and I think it's why I felt I could approach my firm with how my misophonia has been affecting me in the workplace. I'm glad my instincts were right and I did not hesitate to let them know that their concern about my situation is VERY much appreciated.
There aren't too many areas in the office where I'd be completely removed from triggers, but the one place where I'll be relocating is an area that I suggested. It will keep me fairly close to my team, it is has fairly good sound obstructions (including higher partitions), and it distances me from general circulation traffic as well as some of my known triggers. There may still be some exposure to triggers, as it does bring me closer to the reception area, but I think the space is enclosed enough that I should be buffered from the majority of my workplace triggers. Only time will tell...
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