Fluorescent Lights at Work

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I am teaching English in Japan and, twice a week, I teach WEB-based classes. These were never a problem, but earlier this year the WEB school initiated a new policy wherein fluorescent lights have to stay on all day while teaching lessons. Before we could turn the lights off and turn on separate lights in our booths so that the lighting was not as harsh.

Recently this has really started getting to me. I've noticed the fluorescent lights make me feel tired, sick, headachey, and irritated. I turned the lights off today but someone came back and turned them on. I bitched at them. I know that was unprofessional but I don't understand why the lights must be kept on! The staff put filters over the lights to try and dim fhem but they are still too bright for me.

I am thinking of talking to Personnel about this, but I am not diagnosed with Asperger's. I believe that I have a mild version of it but, without proof, what would be my basis for argument? I just know I have sensory issues with various things and these fluorescent lights are more than just a minor annoyance. What should I do?

It doesn't hurt to ask.

In addition to being a basic accommodation to help you do your job well (which I'm sure they want you to do), figure up how much turning the lights down would save in electricity costs and pitch that to them.

Obviously! They changed the policy because they said it was unprofessional to not have the main lights on But none of the teachers really wants them on.

Tell them about your sensory issues and that the fluorescent lights are giving you a headache. I'm not sure if they'll listen to you if you tell them that you think you have AS, so you'll have to state it that you're extra sensitive.

Also see if you can wear tinted glasses in the mean time to help dim the effect of the lights.

Get them on your side and present it collectively! You all are the professionals here.

I'm a teacher myself, and I almost always have the lights off. Fortunately, I have two big south-facing windows in my classroom, so I just keep those open all the time and there is plenty of light. Plus having the lights out has proven very helpful in keeping my students calmer and more focused (I teach middle-school kids).

I don't think many people naturally like fluorescent lights. Hope you're able to resolve your issue.

Thanks for the help, guys. I really wanna bring this up at work SOON, yet there is never a sufficient break time to discuss it...

I don't have a problem discussing my sensory issues with staff, but I just feel like they will be trivialized. I don't want that to happen.

What is it with having lights on constantly? Every workplace and office I've ever worked in has them switched on ALL the time. I don't understand the reason for this since nobody has their lights on at home during the day.

Whenever I've pointed out the awful flickering fluorescents to people they just give me a look as though I'm slightly mad. Is the flicker just not visible to most people?

Am I the only one who can't stand the flicker of an old fashioned analog television ?

No I cant stand them either. Present them with a study that blue lights help focus, and get them to change the lighting in your office to it It's what I plan to do.

I can't seem to find the article on google atm. where the hell did I read it again *ponders*

At the office analog televisions that use horrible black line venetian blind interlace scanning are usually not a problem because all computer flat panel moniters use progressive scanning which displays the whole picture at once. Stiill even today training videos are displayed on analog televisions and everytime an object moves it looks like it went through a slicer vegetable chopping machine.

I absolutely hate florescent lighting that is why when my mom says things like 'oh you should apply at wal-mart or a grocery store' I kind of laugh because those places have terrible florecent lighting that turns me into a braindead zombie after about an hour. And I doubt they have any positions where you only have to come in for an hour per day.

Maybe that was my problem at school, the fluorescent lighting? I never thought of it before, but it might explain why I was always so miserable there and had such a hard time dealing with it.
Unfortunately, school buildings are full of them.

First, I'm really glad I found a forum like this with people like me who truly understand the unique issues we deal with. It's very comforting. I believe aspies are a unique form of human being. I don't want to get to deep on my first post so back to the topic. I hate fluorescents too. They make me really tired and droned out. I feel like a zombie. I recently got a job at a sporting goods store, but it's looking like I'm going to have to quit because of this lighting. Either that or I'm going to get fired because I can hardly stay awake within about 30 min of stepping into the store. I don't know what to do because almost every workplace uses these brainwashing devises. Anyone know of some good work at home jobs where I can actually make some decent money?