When a co-worker has very bad body odor...how to confront her?

Question

Hi, I do security in a hotel. The front desk recently hired a very cute girl for the summer. Unfortunatley she has some problems with her BO, either its her feet or something. Not that it bothers me, since I dont have to work with her, but the other employees are complaining. What to do or say? I suggested this be a job for the manager of the hotel. I also offered to talk to her if the manager approves...If I get the task, do you have any suggestions on how to nicely inform her of her problem?

Answer 1

I had to deal with someone once with this problem.
It is very difficult to approach someone.
I rehearsed my speech before confronting them to make it as painless as possible for both of us.
I told them that i have the unpleasant task of dealing with an employee complaint and explained it to them as best i could.
Then reminded them that this is a confidential conversation and that it had no bearing on their job.
The person was embarrassed, but as i told them they are a good worker and i want this resolved and i would help however i could.
This person worked for me for 2 more years before I left the company. If you use tact and are sensitive, you can get through it, but it will never be easy to confront personal hygiene issues with an employee
good luck

Answer 2

There are several approaches depending upon the
personality of the girl. I have a clothing boutique and have
encountered this with girls that just got off their bikes to
come in or had been hiking ....or even those who had just
been to the day spa next door and literally wreaked of
lavender oil along wih the BO. I just say..."I'm sure you'de
like to come back when you're a little fresher and try on
all these beautiful, delicate things...here...take my card,
the hours of business are on the back. Lets pick out a
few things for you now and I'll hold them. You can come
in tomorrow and we'll have a lot of fun. This above all
other approaches seemed to work best if said with a
huge smile and a conspiritor's grin. You might just say...
over lunch I might add...Sweetie...I'm sure you havn't
noticed, but there seems to be a strange smell coming
from your clothing. Other people have mentioned it.
Maybe it's the fabric or it could be the type of deoderant
you're using. Did you just start with a new brand? This
circumvents the obvious confrontation and leaves her
with some dignity. She'll get it. You could also throw in
a story (made up or not) of the same thing happening to
you once so she won't feel so embarrassed. Try.

Answer 3

That's difficult. Although in many workplace situations, it may be inappropriate to discuss personal hygiene, when a person has to deal with the public, and represents the "face" of the hotel, it can become problematic if an employee isn't representing the proper image. And an odor problem would be one such issue. So, you may have to be as diplomatic as possible but say something like, "We value your work here and think you do a great job. One thing that we've noticed that could help would be a little more attention to personal details." She'll say, "Like, what do you mean?" You'll continue, "Well, just little things like hygiene. Making sure you come to work fresh and ready to work." Eventually get more specific. But don't be offensive or suggest that it's a "feminine" odor. That'll get you in trouble.

Answer 4

You need to get an older woman with all the charisma in the world and she can say something like, "You are such a sweet, pretty girl but there is an odor on your feet. Have you stepped in something?"

Do you know that kidney problems can cause extremely bad breath? Stomach problems also? Some body odors are illnesses. Let her know that you don't want her to be embarassed so you are taking her aside. Be prepared that if she only has one pair of shoes that you need to offer her money to buy another pair. Being poor is difficult for anyone to deal with.

Answer 5

HR should handle this however if they defer to you then approach it like this;

"Is there a medical condition you are suffering from that we need to be aware of?"

When or if she expresses surprise then say; "well it has come to our attention that you are emitting a body odor of some kind"

then allow her to leave then( maybe you wish to do this at the very beginning or end of her shift) suggest she see a doctor.
tell her often one has a medical condition and are not aware of it.

reassure her she still has a job.

hopefully it can be taken care of via consistent good hygiene.

some folks are so used to their body odor that they are unaware that it is offensive.

know of 2 people who had very bad breath , needed dental care
after recieving it...they no longer had consistent bad breath

Answer 6

i think u shoudl let the manager do the talking so your not branded as the mean co worker. If you must talk to her suggest something like "I know its hot and its summer which results in sweating but maybe you should bring some extra deodrant bc ur smelling ripe!"

Answer 7

This seems to be the major pre-occupation with Office goers these days. Some people mask it with a lot of perfume, some people don't, some people can't help it.
Flush her down the toilet if it will help.

Answer 8

Lynyard Skynyrd- That Smell, keep playing this song and maybe she will get the hint if you do not want to confront her.

Answer 9

one time i was trap with a woman in a elevator. with very bad BO and she had this awful perfume too,i went tru torture ugh

Answer 10

it is the manager´s job...but as they say,be tactful.
it could be that she is taking medication.or something she eats.maybe she needs to change deodorants....mention these causes as oppossed to hint she does not shower!!!!
good luck