‘I can’t work, I’m allergic to the Internet’
July 27, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: HR Tech, Special Report - Tech
If what this man says is true, employers could find themselves having to accommodate a new disability.
British DJ Steve Miller claims he has a medical condition that makes it difficult for him to work, shop or really do much of anything. The problem: Wireless Internet makes him sick.
Miller claims he gets dizzy, nauseous and confused whenever he is around a WiFi signal. He says he’s missed a lot of gigs throughout Europe because hotels, airports and even trains generally offer wireless Internet.
Just about the only place he says he feels fine is his house in a remote section of Cornwall, fortified with 18-inch walls. When he does need to go out, Miller carries a WiFi detector to avoid problem areas.
It may sound strange, but Miller’s not the first person to claim this type of condition. About 2% of the population believes they suffer from so-called “electromagentic sensitivity,” the Daily Mail reports.
And last year, a group of residents in Santa Fe, New Mexico, asked the city to remove WiFi from public buildings. They claimed they were allergic and the city was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by limiting their access to the buildings.
New lawsuits coming?
Should employers worry about an employee taking them to court because they can’t work in a building with wireless Internet? After all, workers have brought ADA suits because of strong perfume and other “sensitivities” to airborne elements.
In this case, though, there’s probably little to be concerned about. Because it’s most likely all made up.
First, there’s no proof that any such condition exists. Some people claim to suffer from it, but the reported symptoms vary widely.
Also, the waves produced by WiFi transmitters are similar to those produced by cell phone towers, as well as radio and TV waves. Experts say it’s unlikely problems would be caused exclusively by wireless Internet.
But that probably won’t stop employees and other supposed sufferers from trying to argue their cases in court. We’ll keep you posted if any of these claims actually result in a lawsuit.
Tags: ada, disability accommodation, WiFi, wireless Internet
July 29th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Unreal. People will do anything to not work. If they worked as hard at working as they do at not working, this country would be out of debt in no time.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:29 am
I totally agree with Joyce. Where are we going to draw the line with litigation in this country? Here is another thing that HR has to deal with; like we don’t have enough work already. Half of the cases are so ridiculous that they should be thrown out of court!!!!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I bet the guy doesn’t have a problem sitting around the house in his bathrobe surfing the web through a hard wired internet connection… Just one more potential scam to a get a free lunch. This guy needs to get real and get a job!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Let’s not be so quick to judge. Do you remember when Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well and many other conditions, were dismissed as “psychological” problems?
July 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Give him an allergy pill and tell him to get on with life!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I don’t like the dismissive and smug tone of this article.
Like the author, I suppose, based on no evidence, that this is psychological, not physical.
Please note, though, that psychosomatic problems manifest physically, even if they originate in the sufferer’s brain.
Our shared doubt is not based on evidence, and until a study confirms mental or physical origin of the suffering, we don’t know whether we’re liable for helping a *whole lot of people* 2% of 100 million is a lot of people.
We can, as “HR professionals”, roll our eyes and disrespect the issue (”what will those complaining employees come up with next”), but that is not an approach worthy of the title “professional”.
What is professional is to deal with this in a manner of respect, whether we accept responsibility or not.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Electromagnetic Sensktivity sounds far fetched as Global Warming. But I have a medical condition that causes high Iron and at home, the other night experienced jabbing pain in my knees and legs while my husband was surfing on his WiFi laptop. I must admit, there could be something to it – in my situation.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:36 am
sounds like a very subjective illness, has no
way to truly measure its severity!! what
people will say to get out of working or
get in the way of progress. by the way
it sad to hear that Santa Fe, my Capital
has some of those complainers.