someone I am stitting next to in work has BO, what should I do???

Answer 1

bring anti-persperant to work and repeatdly offer its use to them

Answer 2

Stand on top of your desk and spray an air deodorizer every few minutes, complain that someone obviously didn't shower.

Talk to a couple of your coworkers and see what they have to say about this person. If they don't think he smells bad, maybe you just have a sensitive nose.... but if they do think he smells, go to your supervisor, and explain the situation. Explain how it effects not only you, but your work, and the work of others around this person. Don't get him or her in big trouble, it's just something that needs to be addressed.

My roommate had BO my freshman year, I got an Oust fan, it only required a D battery and it made my room smell pretty nice. If you do get an air freshener, make sure it's something that doesn't make the whole office smell like springtime

Answer 3

The first requirement is that you be a good example yourself of all the things an employee should be—from appearance and hygiene to work product to getting along with others. That way management and others are more likely to listen to you and be influenced by your concerns. I mention that because often one employee complains about another, but from the management viewpoint the complaining employee has issues as well.

The next requirement is that everything you do be done out in the open and in a civil way. Often employees do sneaky, mean, discourteous things rather than talking about a situation and trying to explain their feelings.

And the third requirement is that you approach this from the viewpoint of the impact it has on work, rather than only from the fact that it is offensive to you and others. Managers tend to get more concerned when something is interfering with work or with customers than they do if it is only irritating to fellow workers. I don’t necessarily agree with that philosophy, but that’s the way it nearly always is.
Usually I would suggest talking directly to the person. I suggest you write a letter to your supervisor. A written complaint has much more status than a verbal one. Also, they cannot easily ignore it. If nothing happens after a week, send the same letter to a personnel office or HR. Or, send it to the boss above your boss. You know your own work situation best.
*The letter should be written with a positive tone, not angry. Say that this problem has gone on for years and it is so bad you feel something definite has to be done. Then, state the problem. You will have your own way of writing it, but be specific. “Mary has BO that is so bad smelling it makes everyone step back when she is next to them. It is really nauseating and sickening to smell all I know is that is impossible to work well around her. I am asking that someone in supervision or management do something to improve this situation...Good Luck!

Answer 4

If you work with or know this person then its not so bad. I went to college with a guy that stank. What I did was go up to the guy on my way to the toilet and quietly and nicely say to him, hey use this mate. It worked in the long run, the guy got the hint after the first time, though other people may be harder work. Simply dropping it on their desk doesnt work, you have to have a quiet word while being discreet and nice.

Answer 5

I will tell you what I did once. I worked with a bunch of professors at a college. One of them stunk soooo bad. I put a bar of soap in his mailbox and I never smelled him again. He had the good grace to take care of his hygiene problem.
I don't think that kind of voodoo will work with everyone :( It sounds mean but I didn't know how any other way to handle the problem.

One poster said to talk with the boss. That's a good idea if the boss will carry through with talking to your coworker.

I also like the idea of addressing the issue in a formal letter.
Great idea.

Answer 6

you should discreetly tell them, they might be oblivious that they smell so much and would prefer someone telling them to avoid future humiliation, yes its awkward and they may be a bit peeved initially but if they stink, they have to be told, especially in this day and age there is no accuse for it, there are plenty or anti-perspirants available and aerosol sprays even with people who are prone to sweating excessively, I wouldn't be able to put up with it working next to that, if you don't want to say anything for fear of recriminations, tell your boss and they can say something instead as working under such conditions is awfully unacceptable, good luck!

Answer 7

Be a friend and tell them, suggest they may need to change there deodorant as the one they are using is not working, they may need a shower and a change of clothes also.Or other than that buy them shower gel and deodorant, and give it to them saying you had extra this week as the super market had a special offer.

Answer 8

Buy a stick of deodorant and leave it on his/her desk before they come into work ... that way you are getting your point across without them knowing it is you! That will spare any hurt feelings directed towards you and not produce any work environment tension.

Answer 9

Apply deodorant yourself, obviously but not too flamboyantly.

If he/she tells you that you already smell fine, confide in him/her that somebody nearby doesn't. Don't make it too obvious you mean him/her; he/she should be able to work it out after wondering why he/she can't smell it too.

He/she may even ask to borrow yours...which some people are fine about, and others are, like, eeeuww...

Answer 10

Buy a BIG air freshener and make it visible to that person...maybe put it at the end of your desk near where they sit. Or, tell your boss. They are responsible for handling it. Otherwise, just tell that person that you think that they are a good worker, but are finding it difficult to concentrate because of their body odor.

Answer 11

Go to a supervisor and tell them the problem. Your supervisor needs to pull this person aside and gently tell them they have BO. It's not an easy thing to do, but it's their job.