As a manager, how do you talk to an employee regarding his body odor?

Question

I am a manager for a car company and have an employee who has quite a strong body odor. This is a concern from other employees who at times cannot bear his scent and refuse to work next to him. How do I approach/discuss this 'issue" with this employee? Yes I know bathing, body deodorant are some options but I've been told he's been advised about that...need more help, any professional recommendations? Thanks!

Answer 1

Curious,

As a manager, I've been faced with similar situations a few times. It's a touchy subject, and it must be handled with kid gloves.

Do your counseling in a very private setting, where you are unlikely to be disrupted.

Do not be accusatory...that puts the employee on the defensive, and you'll get no where.

Be prepared to offer help, and to back it up. Perhaps it is not a hygiene problem, and it is medical in nature. She/He'll need time during work hours to see a physician, or to get treatment...assure him/her that it will not be detrimental to get treatment.

Answer 2

I just spoke to a lady that had to speak to one of her co-workers. If the person has a garlic or curry odor it could be the diet seeping through the pores of the skin. This comes even when the person is clean. Some people have pets in the home and the odor of the pets clings to their clothes, so cleanliness is again, not the factor.
I would suggest waiting until shortly before closing time and having a meeting with the person in your office. Plan on 15 to 20 minutes and let them go home a little early if it does not take that long. This way others can go home and not face an angry co-worker the rest of the day.
Tell the person that you are very pleased with their work, but this is a team effort and you have people who don't want to work close to him. Explain the possibilities of different odors. Does he eat a lot of garlic? Curry? Does he have indoor pets or smoke? (This gives him a possible out.) Ask if he uses a deodorant and show him one. (Act like it's yours.) (He may have grown up without knowing what one was.) Ask if he needs more work uniforms so he doesn't have to do laundry as often. He may be wearing the same uniform all week. You will provide him with extra work clothes if needed. Stress that this is a situation that you need to see changed so the group can work together well. Don't mention any names. If they say, "Who complained." Say, It doesn't matter. I wouldn't bring it up unless I thought it would be a problem with whomever you worked with. I know you can change.
If he swears that he has done everything and just doesn't understand then you may have to do a search for possible causes of B.O. that are medical and give him a day off to talk to his doctor about it.

Answer 3

Don't think twice about being up front and telling him point blank (in private) that he needs to be aware of a problem that he is unintentionally causing. Tell him very plainly and with no emotion that he needs to eliminate his bad odor, and since you are not a doctor, you cannot advise him, but as his manager, it's your responsibility to speak to him about it. Give him a date to meet back with you to follow up. If the problem has not gone away, ask him what he has done or plans to do to address it, but do not let it go. Be persistent. And do not speak of your conversations with this person to any other employee. If the problem persists, consider preparing a standard document that illustrates proper dress code & hygene expectations and have all employees sign off on it as a condition of employment. Maybe after that you can start documenting the offender each time there is a complaint and eventually terminate him without risking litigation on his behalf.

Answer 4

I agree with puppetman. Mitchim deodorant that works for me. Along with regular showers of course. Drinking is also a nasty cause of body odor to consider.

Answer 5

ask him if he is aware that he makes other employees uncomfortable. If he is ask him why he thinks this is. If not try to lead he to realize his body odor is an issue. It is easier if he says it is a problem.

Answer 6

we had this example at artwork. even as it became formally HRs accountability, they didnt do an exceptionally good pastime showing the worker his factors for hygiene.. ultimately the manager made a contact upon the best of the artwork day (so the indignant ought to beleive the 8hr day contributed to the body smell,which i'm certain it did extremely) with a actuality that blanketed the shortcoming of appropriateness of his artwork outfits in close proximity to workers of an complete diverse nature (gave the effect of a lumberjack or vehicle mechanic for a sparkling, indoor occupation, and old women quite everyone seems continuously good scapegoats once you want an 'offence' excuse) with the garments cleanup, got here an average cleanup. for sure this became plenty a lot less complicated,because the guy didnt seem sparkling. i'm certain its not uncomplicated to inform a respectable searching,respectable mannered man or woman who they are foul in besides. possibly stumble on a thanks to elevate hen body smells in a adverse gentle, that is not directed in the route of the worker. attempt to lead them to imagine. i comprehend the bigger you're, the tougher it really is to wrestle BO, and quite one isnt going to comprehend how offensive they are to others. quite everyone prefers their personal variety and may not comprehend its bothering others.. some quite everyone seems in flat out denial about it nonetheless. i'm prepared to wager the #a million underlying reason for short while period relationships (both pal and romantic smart) and breakups has alot to do with body smell. Its not uncomplicated to inform someone you want that area of their body smells disgusting...

Answer 7

Be straight up and say that as a company policy you require all of your employees to be presentable and non-offensive. Tell him that his odor is offensive and non-professional.

Answer 8

just call him or her aside a nd professionally say to that person that ther collogune is to strong for their body because its making her body give out a bad odour and they would get what you are saying

Answer 9

Slip it into a safety meeting! After all, hygiene and germ & bacteria "control" are all a part of a safe work environment, not to mention it's non- offensive to customers and coworkers! ;)