I am paid hourly, taxes taken and w2 given to me. My client will not get the mold issue fixed professionally. They just had someone come in and clean the growth on the walls. They have been told that the right way to do it is that the walls needs to be gutted in that area, treated inside, and replaced. It is expensive, yes, but they most certainly have the means and just refuse to fix it. They know that I am allergic to mold. It makes me ill and I have had to seek medical attention for anaphylaxis more than once. I have been diagnosed with mold induced asthma and now have to take medication and an inhaler. I have also been there for a long time, so that makes it hard as well. Now it's to the point of me or them. I know it needs to be me but just leaving and finding another job is easier said than done. Do I have options that I'm not aware of?
I also will add that not one single family member has called to check on me, not even one time since I've been gone. LESSON LEARNED. NEVER put anyone before your own safety.
You have the right to quit due to an unsafe environment.
You, if you do not want to quit can outfit yourself with an appropriate respirator and continue to work.
I think that you are shortsighted. This job is going to ruin your health if it has not done so now. And there are plenty of people looking for caregivers. Even if you miss a week or two of work that is far less expensive than the costs that you may incur in the future.
And from what I'm reading here, your health is not as important as you losing this client right?
How very sad, that you jeopardizing your health is not your number one priority, and that you're putting this client before yourself.
There is definitely something wrong with this picture. I'm just saying.
Please...I have asthma and am allergic to mold too, and I would never knowingly put myself in such a dangerous situation. You are asking for long lasting health trouble by doing so. I hope you know that.
So start looking for a new client ASAP.
Has the water intrusion that is causing the mold been dealt with? Honestly, stopping the water, because mold cannot live in the dry, is always the 1st thing to do.
I would encourage him to check with his homeowners insurance, they usually cover the water issue and resulting damage, if it isn't allowed to continue after discovery.
I would call mold remediation companies to come out, do inspections and provide quotes with time lines for completion. If it is toxic mold, you can tell this by spraying bleach on it and if it doesn't lighten, it's toxic, then the insurance would pay for a hotel while repairs are made but, this can not wait, they will deny the claim if it has been left, after discovery to just fester and grow.
Sometimes it is beyond an ill seniors executive function to know how to rectify a situation. Offer the solution for fixing the problem and have the quotes to make the best decision, this might be the solution to get this resolved. If not, paragraph one.
Best of luck, it sounds like a tough situation for you.
That said, you are choosing to stay and work in an environment that you know is unhealthy. The ball is back in your court.
I cannot see another option.
I can sympathise - I am allergic to mold/mould too.
I had to leave a rental home in a great location, damp walls released slugs at night.
Casual jobs I have left;
Basement office under street level, fluorescent lights, dodgy boss.
Office job, enslosed office, full of smokers.
Bar tender with rough clientele, too much broken glass underfoot.
You have to choose you in life many times. Best of luck finding a new, HEALTHIER position.
Who cares if he has dementia or not?? He won't part with the funds to remedy the problem, and you say you're having "anaphylactic" reactions to this mold?? There is no decision to made here. Quit immediately and tell this client WHY. That you cannot risk your life working in a toxic environment for one more minute. It's a no brainer. You cant force someone to "do the right thing", so focus on doing the right thing for YOURSELF.
Unless you live on the moon, caregiver jobs are plentiful everywhere. Get busy looking for one. If you stay where you are, you won't need a job much longer but a long term care facilty, God forbid.
Do they have any adult children you can contact?
Outside of finding whether they have legal representatives, you will need to resign. Maybe once the impact of your resignation sinks in, they will relent and fix the mold. Do not help them find your replacement -- they need to understand that you can't in good conscience train in another hire with mold in the residence. It may even be a labor violation, since they are employers.
Not sure if reporting them to APS will be fruitful but you can certainly call to ask what they'd recommend in this scenario.
You can’t force them to make repairs to their house even if they do have the money to do so.
The mold is their problem. Allergies are your problem. I have severe allergies so I do empathize with you.
Instead of wasting time and energy on trying to convince them, why don’t you focus on finding a different job?
Are you self employed or do you work for an agency? If you’re with an agency ask them to find another client for you to work with.
Wishing you all the best.