The employees in the O2 building ask the VU to provide safe outdoor sitting spaces, where they are shielded from chronic harm by air pollution and noise, and protected from car accidents.
What is the current situation:
- Space for spending lunch and coffee breaks inside the O2 building is limited
- Wooden benches were placed in front of the building to provide the O2 employees some outdoor sitting space. The high need for outdoor space is evident as those benches and the pavement surrounding the O2 building are always full during lunch and coffee breaks.
- However, the benches in front of the O2 building are placed in an unsafe space
- First, they are next to a busy 4-lane road which jeopardizes employee’s health because of high air pollution and noise levels.
- Second, there are no barriers to protect employees from cars. Accidents and near-accidents happen on a daily basis and a woman sitting on the benches was injured by a car on 25. October.*
- A safe outdoor sitting space for O2 employees to enjoy lunch and coffee breaks with colleagues
- Lunch and coffee breaks in day light and fresh air to improve our health and reduce stress levels
- Appropriate measures to improve mental health of employees, instead of exaggerated prohibition policy that harms the wellbeing of the majority
The O2 building contains two very nice roof top terraces that would provide sufficient space for all employees to sit safely outside. Ironically, VU prohibits access to those outdoor spaces to prevent suicide attempts, but this policy indirectly puts the life of its employees at risk, as shown by the tragic incident of 25. October.
When comparing the two situations, we think that it is incomprehensible that the balcony is deemed too risky to use, whereas the sidewalk is proven to be dangerous.
What do we want:
WE ASK THE VU TO OPEN THE O2 BALCONIES!
* On 25. October, a terrible accident happened. A car involved in an accident ran into a woman sitting on one of the wooden tables in front of the building. She was injured and had to be brought to hospital. Some weeks earlier, another car broke through the barriers of the public transport area. O2 employees observe dangerous situations and close-to accidents on a daily basis. There are no physical barriers to protect us from the cars.
Updates
November 15, 2024
100 signatures reached. We clearly need safer spaces.
Reached 250 supporters
November 14, 2024
November 13, 2024
The momentum is real and it shows how many of us feel unsafe. It is time for the university to finally listen.
November 12, 2024
The stories shared in the comments about near-misses on the pavement are heart-wrenching. I am currently working on a formal proposal to get management to reconsider the rooftop access.
Reached 100 supporters
November 12, 2024
26 Comments
Another argument: In the main building there is also an outside terrace on the roof (on top of the doppio) which is always open. Why can't it be open here.
In summer, we sit on the asphalt around the building to have lunch and get "fresh" air. Having outdoor space on O2 balconies for breaks or lunch would provide some decency to our work life in the O2 building.
I don’t think air quality is any different on the balcony, same for noise. Those accidents rarely happen, so I don’t really agree with the argument. That said, I would love more outside benches to have lunch, and would love to be able to stand on the balcony for a short break.
If the VU thinks there is still a suicide risk, maybe the fences around the balcony could be made higher. Also, if this is the reason for closing the balcony, the entire NU building should be closed as well…
We are all working in a building full of dangerous chemicals and equipment but a balcony is too unsafe...
This will be a great improvement in safety. And effective use of the building.
It is obviously an amazing place to have lunch. This vote goes in solidarity with all the people who, during nice days, have to get lunch at the bottom of the building.
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The employees in the O2 building ask the VU to provide safe outdoor sitting spaces, where they are shielded from chronic harm by air pollution and noise, and protected from car accidents.
What is the current situation:
- Space for spending lunch and coffee breaks inside the O2 building is limited
- Wooden benches were placed in front of the building to provide the O2 employees some outdoor sitting space. The high need for outdoor space is evident as those benches and the pavement surrounding the O2 building are always full during lunch and coffee breaks.
- However, the benches in front of the O2 building are placed in an unsafe space
- First, they are next to a busy 4-lane road which jeopardizes employee’s health because of high air pollution and noise levels.
- Second, there are no barriers to protect employees from cars. Accidents and near-accidents happen on a daily basis and a woman sitting on the benches was injured by a car on 25. October.*
- A safe outdoor sitting space for O2 employees to enjoy lunch and coffee breaks with colleagues
- Lunch and coffee breaks in day light and fresh air to improve our health and reduce stress levels
- Appropriate measures to improve mental health of employees, instead of exaggerated prohibition policy that harms the wellbeing of the majority
The O2 building contains two very nice roof top terraces that would provide sufficient space for all employees to sit safely outside. Ironically, VU prohibits access to those outdoor spaces to prevent suicide attempts, but this policy indirectly puts the life of its employees at risk, as shown by the tragic incident of 25. October.
When comparing the two situations, we think that it is incomprehensible that the balcony is deemed too risky to use, whereas the sidewalk is proven to be dangerous.
What do we want:
WE ASK THE VU TO OPEN THE O2 BALCONIES!
* On 25. October, a terrible accident happened. A car involved in an accident ran into a woman sitting on one of the wooden tables in front of the building. She was injured and had to be brought to hospital. Some weeks earlier, another car broke through the barriers of the public transport area. O2 employees observe dangerous situations and close-to accidents on a daily basis. There are no physical barriers to protect us from the cars.
Updates
November 15, 2024
100 signatures reached. We clearly need safer spaces.
Reached 250 supporters
November 14, 2024
November 13, 2024
The momentum is real and it shows how many of us feel unsafe. It is time for the university to finally listen.
November 12, 2024
The stories shared in the comments about near-misses on the pavement are heart-wrenching. I am currently working on a formal proposal to get management to reconsider the rooftop access.
Reached 100 supporters
November 12, 2024
26 Comments
To enhance and maintain the well-being and health of all employees. Everyone is and becomes happy with contact with nature. And the O2 building has a beautiful roof....men can be outside, have a view and breathe oxygen. Fences around it and it's safe!
Another argument: In the main building there is also an outside terrace on the roof (on top of the doppio) which is always open. Why can't it be open here.
In summer, we sit on the asphalt around the building to have lunch and get "fresh" air. Having outdoor space on O2 balconies for breaks or lunch would provide some decency to our work life in the O2 building.
I don’t think air quality is any different on the balcony, same for noise. Those accidents rarely happen, so I don’t really agree with the argument. That said, I would love more outside benches to have lunch, and would love to be able to stand on the balcony for a short break.
If the VU thinks there is still a suicide risk, maybe the fences around the balcony could be made higher. Also, if this is the reason for closing the balcony, the entire NU building should be closed as well…
We are all working in a building full of dangerous chemicals and equipment but a balcony is too unsafe...
This will be a great improvement in safety. And effective use of the building.
It is obviously an amazing place to have lunch. This vote goes in solidarity with all the people who, during nice days, have to get lunch at the bottom of the building.
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To enhance and maintain the well-being and health of all employees. Everyone is and becomes happy with contact with nature. And the O2 building has a beautiful roof....men can be outside, have a view and breathe oxygen. Fences around it and it's safe!