Workplace Hazards

When starting a new job, it's common to be asked to read and sign off on a Policy and Procedure manual. Some are more lengthy and involved than others, but this is generally part of any new employee orientation. When I worked at a wilderness-based residential treatment center helping youth build log cabins, the policies and safety guidelines could have filled a small library. It was probably reasonable to expect that if I accidentally cut my foot off with a chain saw one day, they'd want to pull out the signed piece of paper to say "She was warned!!! We tried our best!!!"

Now that I work at a desk, the workplace hazards I'm supposed to recognize and avoid are less extreme (think eyestrain and carpal tunnel). But never in my policy and procedure history have I seen any mention of the workplace hazard I now find myself contending with. 

You see, I've recently moved to a home office. I've worked from home in the past, and there are pros and cons. Personally, I prefer working in an office setting, but this is going to save me a small fortune in gas. My office was an hour away from my house, and I was driving there 3-4 times a week. So I've been rearranging furniture, shopping for supplies and moving files for a month, and now aside from a few remaining needs, I've got my little home office all set up.

(isn't it cute??)

It's just about perfect, except for the unfortunate fact of Lucy's litter box being right across the stairwell in the laundry room. And that in and of itself wouldn't be so bad, because every effort is made to keep it clean. But it's the strangest thing - I've noticed that when I go downstairs, turn everything on and get to work, Lucy takes it as some sort of sign to...how do I put this delicately?... 'take care of business.' 

It's almost as if she figures I'm taking care of business, so she might as well too. But it creates a quite toxic work environment. I recently learned that my organization provides a one-time home office "allowance" that home-based employees can spend on supplies. Perhaps my first purchase should be a gas mask??