What if a Co-Worker Smells!!??
By cbantly
@cbantly (236)
United States
June 23, 2009 1:47pm CST
Has anybody had any personal experience with dealing with a smelly co-worker. I'm not talking about a mild body odor problem, I'm talking about an incredibly offensive stench. She smokes, but that doesn't seem to be the biggest contributor to the smell. It is a cross between mildew, urine, and smoke. Is there a way to gently explain that it offends clients and us? We don't want to hurt her feelings, but something's got to give!
3 responses
@kabudel (175)
• Philippines
23 Jun 09
It would be smart if her closest colleagues/friends tell her about it.
You can tell her how much she'll gain if she practice showering and changing into fresh clothes daily. That self-improvement helps a lot... basically, break it to her through positive scripting.
@cbantly (236)
• United States
23 Jun 09
She's not real close with any of the employees, so I'm afraid she would feel like she was being personally attacked. In addition, most of the employees are male...shouldn't this come from a female? I think she feels that her hygiene is adequate...How can we make her realize we're not just being mean?
@kabudel (175)
• Philippines
23 Jun 09
Yeah, that usually comes in during girl talks... But, guy friends can also relay that to their gal friends. Its really the manner of telling her about the problem. She might not like it at first, but that will give her a good chance of evaluating her hygiene. Once the message sinks in and she understands (let's just hope that she's optimistic and is open to constructive criticism), she will thank you for that.
@marites31 (267)
• Philippines
24 Jun 09
Ha ha ha,,, sometimes its funny but probably what can you can do is if you are close with your colleague you can make a joke out of it so that it will not become offensive. or even if there is no occasion you can also give her a gift like perfume or a nice soap with a note on it which is not offensive.
@cbantly (236)
• United States
25 Jun 09
I thought about drawing her name for the secret santa Christmas present giveaway, and giving her a kit from bath and body works. But, I don't want to wait that long, and I think she would be embarassed. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but something has got to be done!
@OConnell87 (1042)
•
23 Jun 09
thats hard, sounds like she dosen't wash much and the mildew smell is prob from old sweat. i don't think anyone wants to tell her because its embarrassing for both of you and also remember she would always see you as the person who told her she smelt. i think it would be better if you have a generally meeting about hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace..lots of workplaces have in the bathrooms posters of how to wash hands properly to prevent passing of germs so you could have a poster saying how its important to come to work presentable, washed hair, manicured hands, smelling fresh etc maybe she will think about this and change
