How do we tactfully tell a female co-worker that she smells bad?

Question

We just hired a girl in our office about a month or so ago. She smells like crotch-rot. Its awful and its nausiating towork with her, and our patients cover their noses. Something HAS to be done, but its so hard to have to tell someone that they smell bad, especially a woman. What is a politeful, yet effective way to tell her that she's got to do something about it???

Who's bright idea was it to hire her?? LOL Funny you should mention that because she was hired by someone who doens't even work in the office. Someone in the Admin. office hired her because apparently the office managers are deemed incapable of hiring. She didn't smell for the first week or 2, but it has since become apparent that her femine hygeine is questionable.

Answer 1

I've had to do that a couple of times and I hated it. The best thing to do is to get her in a private place and ask her if she has some kind of problem that is causing her to have poor hygiene. Just tell her that you've noticed an odor from time to time and that she needs to take a bath and wear clean underwear and clothing every day.

The best way to handle this is to tell everyone you hire on their first day that they need to come to work fresh and clean. I usually start out with talking about people using too much of a strong perfume or cologne and how this might bother our patients. Then, if there's a problem later, I just say, "You remember when I hired you that we talked about personal hygiene-- well, we have a little problem. . ." and that's all you need to say. If it doesn't get better, have a longer talk. Good luck.

Answer 2

Whoever the office manager is needs to be the one to talk to her and he/she needs to do it right away. The fact that she's been there a month and the manager has not pulled her aside to talk to her is a shame and he/she should be ashamed of themselves. This person obviously has no idea they have this issue but the whole office does. Try to imagine it were you and no one said anything to you. Not only would you be embarrassed you'd be hurt. Your office manager should be demoted for letting it go on.

Answer 3

Smelling like that is not normal. There may be something medically wrong w/her. I've got a guy on my job whose meds make him smell like pee. But since its a medical problem, there's not much we can do about it. Except breathe through your mouth when he's around.
If she just stinks, then report her to Human Resources. Its their job to have "the hygiene talk" w/her.
Buying her soaps and deodorant is no guarantee she's going to use them. and whose going to buy the Summer's Eve???

Answer 4

If she smells so strongly of "crotch-rot" as you so colorfully put it, then there's likely something wrong with her. I'd suggest to the coworkers at your office that you guys throw her a welcome party where everyone buys her a house warming esque gift. Then you guys could go out and buy her nice-smelling bath and body products...to encourage cleanliness without coming out and saying "You Smell"

Answer 5

I am a business owner and have had the same problem. I took the person aside in private. I told them that if I was them I would want someone to tell me. I told him that he needed to work on his hygiene. That bathing daily and using deordorant daily was needed. He thanked me. I would probalby tell the girl that you have been ased to talk to her about the smell. That other people were complaining and that you knew that she would want to know. Sometimes there is just no nice tactfull way to do it. Just tell her in private!

Answer 6

It is possible that she has some sort of personality disorder. Does she brush her teeth?

I think I would write her anonymously. Tell her about pantiliners and personal wipes. She might not be aware that she smells bad.

Pretend that you were a patient so that she won't think that someone she works with wrote it.

Answer 7

Just come out clean (thats funny get come out clean) tell her that maybe she should switch to some new deodorant that is specificaly designed for smelly women, buy her some dove body wash and some body spray to carry around with her. if that doesnt work then just come out and say "YOU STINK" i know its not nice but if its effecting your coworkers and your job something must be done...!


Hope it works
GOD BLESS

Answer 8

Management needs to let her know that "personal hygiene" is a requirement and needs to be practiced on a better scale! My wife just had to tell two of her co-workers they were unacceptable and needed to take responsibility-other co-workers were complaining! There is no miscalculation when it comes to that issue! It is very obvious to all (both men and women) what the offending ordor is!
They either accept the advice or move on!

Answer 9

if she is a huge asset tou your organization then find an excuse ti give her a gift basket with soaps and such or have the one closest to her try to have a heart to heart about have you tried Dove body wash and that ninsense
if she is a stooge who is eight dollars an hour then just lay your cards out she stinks get a bath or another job
life sucks a least be clean when you get fired from WalMart

Answer 10

Write an Annoymous letter telling her that she needs to shower, wear clean clothes, and wear deoderant/body spray. Whos bright idea was it to hire her?