How do you handle a co-worker that smokes heavily and smells like a wet ashtray?

Question

She is a new employee who goes outside to take smoke "breaks" at least hourly (productivity!). Management won't say anything b/c there is no smoking/non-smoking policy in place. Yet, the smell is so bad that it has permeated our small (less than 15 people) office! Air fresheners don't help.

She is a new employee who goes outside to take smoke "breaks" at least once per hour and when she comes back, she smells like a cold, dead, wet ashtray. She sits next to me and I have installed those plug in air fresheners at the suggestion of Management. (That was his only comment when I approached him about moving my desk. "get air fresheners") Yet, the smell is so bad that it has permeated our small (less than 15 people) office! What can be done? Note that I am not the only one complaining to the wimpy manager.

Answer 1

Is there a rule on breaks? Like two fifteen minute and one one hour break? She is breaking those rules.

Get everyone complaining to sign a petition and talk to Human Resources.

Depending on what state you are in, it could be an "at will" state, which means they can fire someone for whatever reason they want. If this thing is making such a stench that air fresheners don't work (unless they unloaded one right around her), she is creating an unhealthy environment, thus making it right for the coworkers to complain. Something should be done about it.

Answer 2

I feel for you Batty. You simply can't tell her, she'll hate you for life, unless you are very close together. But, you can buy her new boots for any occasion... Or you can walk in the office one day, say that you smell something and start looking for it (as if this is your fist time). But I would be careful with this last one since it takes very good acting skills. Do you know her husband/partner/sister/brother/mother? You can talk to them and they will do a better job at telling your co worker. Or you can just be upfront, which is probably the best way now that I think about it. A lot of people have smelly feet you know, my husband does blah

Answer 3

Bring it up to admissions, file a complaint.Let them take care of it, most likely if you tell her she'll get offended and it's not professional to have an arguement in a work enviroment.

Answer 4

I'm a smoker and I would like for you to tell me.I don't want to go around stinking.I just don't know.I would thank you >

Answer 5

really, its soooooo bad, air freshners don't work? Or are you just sensitive? Manangment won't do anything because its quite ILLEGAL to tell someone to quit or be fired. She's apparently not breaking company policy or managment would have stopped it. Honestly dear, deal with yourself first before getting in someone elses face

Answer 6

Are you asthmatic? Do you have chronic bronchitis? Do you have COPD (or heck, for that matter, any other lung condition)? If it's only the smell that bothers you--too bad. I quite frequently come across bad smells throughout the day (women who bathe in cheap perfume, people who have nasty BMs in our office bathroom, attitudes of certain coworkers) and I deal with it. As long as this woman isn't smoking at her desk and blowing the smoke at you, I suggest you get over it. There are a lot worse smelling things on this planet than cigarette smoke residue in someone's hair or on their clothing.

Answer 7

if management does not do anything then clearly it is not your place. I say honesty is the best policy, but hey that may put you in trouble.

Answer 8

Don't waste money on air fresheners. Just take her out and beat the crap out of her. The rest of you guys will be happy. Problem solved.

I can't stand stinky people.

Answer 9

well just ask her to please not smoke so much because its giving u all a hedache
i smoke and people tell me I stink sometimes so I chew 5 gum!

Answer 10

call and have a chat with her or start sending her mails to let her know what harm she is doing to herself