I work in publishing/media. The new guy who started, well, he's new--so he is still learning the ropes. Yet there is one sour issue that has nothing to do with knowing our style guide: he smells like a moose. I was helping him with something the other day and caught a whiff that was so foul it made my eyes water. Is this appropriate to talk about with my boss? Or do I just have to breathe through my mouth at work from now on?
2006-12-02 04:19:02 · 30 answers · asked by YabanciKiz 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I've had to deal with that before. For some reason, all my co-workers nominated me to handle the situation and this is what I did: I pulled the person to the side and told her, "You know, when people work closely with you, they notice an odor. It could be a medical condition, or maybe a hygiene issue, but it is making many of us uncomfortable. She proceeded to say it couldn't be her we're smelling and there's nothing wrong with her. But the next day we all noticed her hair was clean, she used perfume, and really had made an effort to "prove" it could not be her. There's no easy way to tell this to someone, and the person on the receiving end will be offended probably 100% of the time. But putting it to them delicately and without ridicule will make them take their hygiene more seriously. Nobody wants to be the stinky guy.
2006-12-02 04:47:32 · answer #1 · answered by Just gorgeous dahling 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well christmas is coming up so try and make sure you are his secret santa and buy him a kit for men with deodarant and aftershave in it hopefully he'll get the hint (gently) If it's really that bad and you can't stand it talk to your supervisor about it. So other people notice it and have they mentioned it. Some people don't smell their own body odours so he may not even notice it. But if it's affecting your work andd it's output thats important so either talk to his supervisor or buy him an aftershave deodorant kit. Good luck.
2006-12-02 05:35:36 · answer #2 · answered by Pearl N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to lie a bit,say something along the lines of a memo from head office about guidelines for grooming and personal hygiene.Then buy some deodorant and leave it in the restroom with an invitation for anyone to use it. If this doesn't pay off someone's going to have to confront the stinky beast.Hopefully they'll be that embarrassed that they'll leave anyway.Harsh, but at least you won't have to smell him any more.
2006-12-02 04:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by New Boots. 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is why supervisors get paid more money. It is up to them to take care of situations like this. Just talk to the supervisor in private and tell them the situation.
After the situation is fixed, do not ever take credit for telling the supervisor about the problem. That will do nothing but spread bad feelings about you in the office. Even if others agree that the problem exists, they will point the finger of blame at you.
2006-12-02 04:28:38 · answer #4 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Never had to deal with this horrible situation until recently! It's quite disgusting. I don't know how people can not realize they reek! I've dropped hints, bought additional air fresheners and NOTHING. Our entire office smells because of one person.
2016-11-08 07:20:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if you are referring to body odor or nasty laundry. I've smelled guys that I think wore either the same clothes three days in a row or let them sit in the washer two days then dried the stink into them. Peeeewwww!
2006-12-02 04:45:32 · answer #6 · answered by mickeyg1958 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would give him some time. Maybe he was running late that morning and got sweaty rushing around or just forgot to put on deoderant.
If it keeps up, yes, I think your least worst option is to talk to your boss. Then he/she can have a talk with him... or maybe move him to an isolated office ;)
2006-12-02 04:29:10 · answer #7 · answered by monkeyandmolly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for the laugh re. "smells like a moose."
This is a frequent question in advice columns, and for what they're worth, the answer is invariably that it's a problem for human resources. Or, in the absence of a HR dept, your supervisor.
See also:
http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/20295
And:
http://sendatip.com/
But I'd still leave it up to somebody else.
2006-12-02 04:36:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Give him an anti-perspirant or cologne this Christmas. If the smell persists after a week or two, tell him cuz he might not even know he has B.O!
2006-12-02 04:29:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are links to the "my coworker smells bad" questions that have already been asked in Yahoo Answers along with a list of related web links...
http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_result;_ylt=ArZr6Oh1ATWr9oUKlbWPc1cnzKIX?p=coworker+smells+bad&scope=subject&mc=&fltr=_en&tab=0&asktime=&st=1
2006-12-02 06:37:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋