This is a very hard topic to bring up. I do not want to offend or embarass her, and quite frankly, she is the kind of person who is easily offended or embarassed. What can I say/do?
2007-06-18 04:45:26 · 22 answers · asked by rickpetralia 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
spray her with frebreeze!!!!!!!
2007-06-22 04:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by shhhhhhhhhh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately, you are the boss and she is the employee. Remember that. You can always pull rank.
Take her into your office and make her aware that her personal body odor is quite strong and offensive. If she is offended, that's too bad. Do offer to work with her to correct the problem - but make sure you emphasize that things cannot continue the way they are at present.
Ask her to make an appointment with her physician to rule out any medical concerns. Certain illnesses and/or the medications she may be taking can affect a person's body odor.
Also, her diet may be the culprit. Garlic, or other strong-smelling foods will often come out through your perspiration.
If her problem is plain, old fashioned, uncleanliness, then make it clear that she is to bathe daily and change her clothes regularly or you will have to reconsider her contribution to your company.
One way or another, she is the one who needs to conform to your company's rules - not the other way around.
Even if she is offended, it's important to make her understand that, in addition to her and her work environment, you are responsible for however many other employees work environment as well.
2007-06-18 06:36:12 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it perfume or body order? Either way, you can present it to her as her perfume has been a little strong and there has been a complaint. She is going to get embarassed a bit, but, there's no other way that I can think of. I've had to do this, and it turned out okay. She had no idea and insisted I told her if it ever came up again. I also worked when I was younger in a horrible place where they just gave the poor girl a basket of soap as a spur of the moment gift.
2007-06-18 04:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by needer7 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The last place I worked actually had a clause in the employee handbook about showering or bathing daily and wearing deodorant. If your place of business has a similar policy, copy the clause and pass it out as a memo to everyone. That way the person might take the hint, but it won't single her out.
2007-06-18 05:58:45 · answer #4 · answered by raynne_iceni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one of my old jobs, we had this issue with a man who worked there. Instead of confronting just him about it, our office manager avoided a potential law suit by putting out a memo to EVERYONE.
She just printed up a flier on like bright orange paper that said something like "Since we all work so closely together -- as the summer months approach, please remember to bathe daily and use deodorant -- which is available at the local drug store for a nominal fee. :)
The flier cracked me up and we all thought it was silly -- but she made her point to this guy without singling him out. Before you do anything, tho, I would talk to your HR person to clarify your company policy on this (unless you are the CEO or something and know you don't have one).
Good luck!
2007-06-18 05:02:59 · answer #5 · answered by mistaken4sane 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No matter how you say it, she's going to be hurt. Take her in a private room, tell her that you have noticed she has an offensive odor and that you want to let her know before others starts saying anything about it. That way she won't think everyone is talking about her.
Sometimes it's peoples culture that causes this, their diet, or even health problems. Either way she needs to be told to bath more often.
2007-06-18 04:50:32 · answer #6 · answered by J M 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Send an email to everyone or post a notice saying "we have gotten some complaints please follow these guidelines" kinda thing. Mention things like strong perfume/cologne is not acceptible, showering and deoderant is required on pain of firing, and clothes that smell excessively of animals or smoke are not acceptable.
Good luck
2007-06-18 19:07:13 · answer #7 · answered by k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have another female take control of that. I think its more embarrassing having a member of the opposite sex discussing a topic like that. If you have more than one employee maybe you could have a day where you are discussing personal hygiene to all of them so you dont have to single her out and make her feel like you are pointing fingers at her.
2007-06-18 04:51:35 · answer #8 · answered by Dan L 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Leave a cake of soap in her work location, with a message, such as, "Arent' you glad everyone uses Dial? don't you wish you did?"
If the odor is offensive, it may mean that she needs better hygiene for her health as well.
Just don't get caught, or your name is mudd forever.
2007-06-18 06:06:37 · answer #9 · answered by carl j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a male: Perhaps you could hint around that you smell a strange odor and can't quite pinpoint it.
If you are a female: Encourage her to "try on" some of your cologne, and point her to the place that you purchased it.
If all else fails be direct and just tell her without being abrasive.
2007-06-18 04:53:24 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. Satanique 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Talk to her about it, and go shopping together to buy really nice-smelling body washes, perfume, etc.
Or, if you're too nervous...
Buy her a delicious smelling body mist, wash, etc. package.
I did this for a friend who also had odor issues.
It was really, really cute. I bought a huge basket, and filled it with her favorite chocolates and make-up, and added body mist, bubble bath, etc, that all smelled the same.
She used it; so it did work in my case.
But unless you really know her, you shouldn't give the gift randomly, but at function like her birthday, Christmas, etc.
But the shopping together bit seems more forward, and kinder.
Edit: Wait. You're a male. :)
Let a lady do the shopping thing.
2007-06-18 04:51:10 · answer #11 · answered by pamiekins 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋