Job lasted just two hours due to nut allergy
AGRADUATE had to leave her new job after just two hours of employment – because she was allergic to peanuts.
Rachel Foy, 21, who lives in Cathays, Cardiff, cannot be in the same room as a peanut without running the risk of it setting off her potentially fatal allergy.
And if she eats a peanut, or she comes into direct contact with particles, her throat closes up and she can lose consciousness – and could even die.
The history graduate has suffered from anaphylaxis – a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction – for most of her life.
Since finishing her degree at Cardiff week-long job as a print centre assistant for Ricoh at Eversheds law firm in Cardiff.
During the recruitment process Rachel asked Adecco to make sure the company was aware of her allergy but the message was not passed on and two hours into the job she was asked to go home because they could not accommodate her allergy needs.
“The agency said there was no food allowed in the company so it wouldn’t be a problem,” Rachel explained. “I got there and there were open bags of food on desks.
“I told the company and HR said it was too late to make it a peanut-free environment. Adecco should have told them before I started.”
Rachel always carries wipes and antihistamine tablets with her and said she always wipes the area where she sits on public transport. If she is in a space with peanuts nearby the particles being blown over by wind is enough to start an allergic reaction.
Rachel is now looking for work and while she is very keen to start a new job it must be able to accommodate her potentially fatal allergy.
A spokesperson for Adecco said: “We are aware of a candidate being unable to continue their work assignment on their first day due to a severe allergy. A mistake was made in not informing the business in advance of this allergy.
“Upon being made aware of the situation, we liaised closely with the candidate and the business in question to see if the assignment could continue following a thorough risk assessment.
“As this was not possible, we ensured the candidate was paid for the whole day and secured them another placement where their allergy could be accommodated.
“We have a strict policy and vetting process to ensure that any disabilities and severe allergies are accommodated for.
“Consultants within the business have been reminded of this policy and process following this incident.”