Is it fair for a boss to tell you you smell , when he clearly smokes and drinks?

Question

I wasn't told directly by him, but the temp company that put me there, called me and said i smell and that i should shower better. I shower but i just have body odor. But this boss guy, always smelling like beer and smoke, how can he be telling me not to smell when he reaks

Answer 1

Life is not fair.

Answer 2

Compliment him on the fact that he must have quite a "whiffer" if he is able to smell your b.o. over his booze infused sweat and smoke breath.

As for yourself and your own sense of self...(And this is in NO way meant negatively..)have you tried a sport style deodorant? There are some really good ones by Degree and Old Spice, some people do produce more sweat/secretions than others, but if you find the right formula between type of soaps/deodorants and even laundry detergent, it can be made more manageable so that you won't have to feel insecure about it. Also drink more water to help flush more out.

Keep in mind though -before you rip into the guy-, that you said that HE never really told you...it was the temp agency. Are they relaying a complaint? Or is this THEIR own complaint?

Answer 3

People who drink beer and smoke soon get used to the smell of beer and smoke. So they don't notice it any more.

If you have body odour, why don't you use deodorant? That will make the work environment much more pleasant for everyone around you.

Then maybe the next time you encounter your boss you can ask loudly if anyone spilled beer or left a lit cigarette lying around because there's such a strong smell of beer or smoke in the air!

Answer 4

Remember the two rules of business:

Rule # 1: The boss is always right.

Rule # 2: If the boss is every wrong, refer to rule # 1.

Smokers don't realize they smell so bad. Drinkers shouldn't smell on the job...unless they"re drinking, or wearing the same clothes they wore on a toot the night before. Was the guy a jerk in other ways?

Answer 5

Sure its fair. It would be wrong for the man to talk about you behind your back and eventually fire you because of your body odor. In fact, he is being courteous by making that comment. Many times you will get fired from several temp assignments and you will have no idea why.

Answer 6

It's hard to tell what you yourself smells like. Much easier to tell on someone else. I would be grateful that someone told me rather than just letting me go on being the stinky person.

Try using deoderant and make sure you are using deoderant soap in the important areas - privates - rear - pits.

Also maybe lighten up on the garlic. In some people it comes out of their pores

Answer 7

1) he is the boss and by definition, anything he says--if not illegal--is "fair". Maybe he likes the smell of beer and smoke, but not your BO
2) if you want to keep working....do something about your personal hygiene

Answer 8

don't get into a row with them just make sure you smell good, wash regularly and use deodorant, you could drop a few hints that you don't like smoke smells.

Answer 9

Shower better.Use deodorant.