thecubiclerebel » Workplace Illness

Cooties, Cooties Everywhere

the cubicle rebel — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:07:47 +0000

Here we go again on the subject of germs. Cooties. Nastiness. Smears. Petri dish level gross-out-ness.

How germ-ridden is your office? If you’re a man, your workspace is more likely to be full of bacteria than that of your female coworker’s, a new study suggests.

Researchers looked at bacteria levels on chairs, phones, desktops, computer mice and keyboards from 90 randomly selected offices in New York City, San Francisco and Tucson. Through swab tests, the researchers identified 549 different kinds of bacteria in these offices, most of which came from human skin from the nose, mouth or intestinal cavities.
“We also found a surprising number of bacterial genera associated with the human digestive tract,” the researchers, led by Dr. Scott T. Kelley, an associate professor of biology at San Diego State University, wrote in the study.

Oy.

The most contaminated surfaces were chairs and phones. Which is why I CRINGE when someone/anyone uses my telephone at any workplace.

“Men are known to wash their hands and brush their teeth less frequently than women, and are commonly perceived to have a more slovenly nature,” the researchers wrote.
Now that’s hilarious.

I love that word: slovenly.

Even though the workplace germs research was partially funded by Clorox, me believes it’s true, true, true.

Coworkers are cooties factories.

I used to work with a guy who was my second-in-line bossman and the men’s bathroom was nearby since we had such a small admin office. This guy would leave the bathroom while the toilet was still flushing. So naturally we knew that it was impossible that he’d even had time to wash his hands, even rinse them. And then there he’d be touching stuff all over our desks, handing us files, etc. while we nearly DIED. To make matters worse he had the nerve to bring in home baked “goodies.” Actually they were home baked cooties. I refused to partake. Refused. Even when I’d forgotten my lunch and my stomach was growling like a bear.

Careful out there. Especially if you have a weakened immune system. If you’re a nail biter like me, wait til you get home and then really go at ‘em.

Everyday (Toxic) Products: Headed 2 Work Version

the cubicle rebel — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:33:03 +0000

You rise. You shine. You head to the bathroom and give yourself daily doses of cancer.

Wait.

WHAT?

Well, read on…

How many products do you use to head out to work each morning? Or any morning, for that matter?

Nearly all personal care products contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers, degreasers, pesticides and surfactants. The scary thing is that some of these ingredients are known to cause disease in our bodies and the other ingredients—well, the FDA isn’t quite sure …yet…of the effects they have on us. Simply put, there have been few longterm studies on most of the ingredients used in the products we use each and every day.

Right here and now I’m just referring to toiletrees; I’d have to write a book on the onslaught of chemicals we’re confronted with and indulge in once we step outside of our bathrooms. Or front doors.

Toothpaste. Shampoo. Mouthwash. Deodorant. Random gels, creams, lotions, perfumes/colognes, make-up, nail polish, shaving creams and other grooming products.

Here’s a doozy for you:

Product regulators claim that in small doses these ingredients are completely safe. However, paraben is directly absorbed through the skin and binds to the body’s estrogen-receptors…Ahem…They can actually encourage breast cancer cell growth. (Parabens are often found in breast tumors.)

Not trying to scare you but rather awaken you.

Years ago I remember looking over my bathroom countertop and inside of the medicine cabinet, shocked to discover that I had well over 50 products that I used regularly. Chemicals. As I’ve grown older and more aware of my surroundings, of various truths, the toxic overload in my bathroom became alarming.

There are ingredients in our common every day products that mimic estrogen.

The last thing a (hormonal) woman in peri/menopause needs is estrogen mimicking, particularly a PMS-afflicted woman such as myself.

In fact, the last thing any woman needs is estrogen mimicking.

Nanotechnology is a major concern as well, the fear that nanoparticles–which are widely used in everything from toiletries to sports equipment–can penetrate human cells and transfer to even more cells, eventually leading to various diseases/illnesses.

So what can you do?

Try natural products whenever you can. Increasingly they are available at places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods and local food co-ops, etc. Sure, they cost more but your estrogen levels should be safe(r).

Happy grooming out there.

Another public service announcement from the Cubicle Rebel.

Cancer & the Cubicle Connection

the cubicle rebel — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:27:02 +0000

It’s no secret that I loathe cubicle life. No secret at all. And I swear I didn’t make this up.

Careful out there sitting on your garbadine slacks typing away at The Man’s documents.

“I Hate My Job”

the cubicle rebel — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:35:03 +0000

It’s one of the most commonly uttered sentences.

There isn’t a day that goes by that this sentence isn’t spoken.

It’s the reason that so many people smoke cigarettes.

It’s the cause of various crimes.

Within it is the reason cancer cells have appeared and multiplied in people’s bodies. (More on this later).

Mass calories are consumed because of this phenomenon.

Hating one’s job can cause various mental illnesses.

This is serious stuff.

If you loathe your occupation, hang on. There is an end in sight. Why, you could:

win the lottery

invent something lucrative, something that will sell millions of units

marry rich

divorce rich

experience a serendipitous experience; one involving a long-lost relative from Sweden and the word “beneficiary”

come upon a tree with leaves of $1,000 bills.

Come on, be a dreamer. What have you got to lose?