how do you tell a coworker they smell unpleasant?

Question

especially when they're your supervisor

Answer 1

Just play it off like it's the office that stinks. Like, bring several cans of Febreeze or Oust to work and prominently display them on your desk. Next time your supervisor walks by, ask him/her which scent they'd prefer (i.e. Waterfall or Floral?) then take the opportunity to emphasize how AWFUL it smells in there, you might even mention that it reeks, like body odor. Hopefully, they will wonder if it's them being smelly.

Answer 2

If he's your super' he should know better. At the end of the day there is no nice way of saying it but it just has to be done. It comes down to peoples personal hygiene, everyone sweats, we put some deodorant on, and away we go again - if you 'don't' shower everyday is when the problems start. I work in furniture removals and we have no qualms whatsoever in tellin them, when aside from the stench itself, again you consider the hygiene issues and rightly so as it affects you too. And that's before you talk about the customers themselves and their homes/offices etc. Honestly, don't feel bad for someone elses shortfalls. Maybe approach someone higher up the food chain? Even 'conditions' can be remedied, there really is no excuse!
Good Question.....

Answer 3

I think you should bring it up to your supervisors supervisor as it's there job to inform them. Although if t hat's not possible you need to approach the situation delicately especially if the unpleasnt smelling person is overweight they may be a little sensitive. You should definatley pull them aside and you shouldnt make it a big thing among the other workers. It would be rude to make smellio the punchline

Answer 4

Be respectful and kind and direct. This person may not be aware he/she has a problem with body odour and while somewhat embarrassed, would appreciate you coming to them about this serious, albeit personal matter.

You need to be comfortable in doing this so be gentle but firm. And if you really feel unable to approach this person directly, go to someone further up the hierarchy.

Ultimately you want a pleasant working environment and so this is being done with good intent.

Answer 5

You don't. To be honest, if someone comes up to you and explains that you have a strange body odor, almost everyone would take offense by that. There is no doubt that it would make the work enviroment very uncomfortable. Just buy him/her perfume and keep air freshener near your desk.

Answer 6

There is no nice way of going about it.

If you are very uncomfortable in talking to him about it, or if you know he will have an issue with you bringing it up, I would talk to his supervisor or HR and have THEM talk to him about it. It would also help if others go to HR and complain as well.

Answer 7

I would write an anonymous note with an explanation. Don't make it too formal, it would be embarrassing. Try to play it off as if you find his soap or cologne offensive, maybe he will get the idea.

Answer 8

well # 1 i would be descret \\ i know in my case the shop i use to work in we had this issuse with one ofthe worker,s so we all chiped in and left a box of soap \ underarm deoderent \ and taltcem powder on his machen \\ i would sugust you leave it on his desk with a note saying from the people you work for please use \\ or wrap it up as a present and have it delivered

Answer 9

Let's say worst enemy in company is John. Leave note from John that tells him what bad body odor he has. Twofer

Answer 10

That's a hard one.....maybe buy them a body wash and say this attracts the ladies. If it's a female, say this is my favorite bodywash.