My co-worker stinks. It makes me nauseous. I don't think he bathes. I can't stand to work productively around him. What should I do?
2007-10-26 03:31:19 · 22 answers · asked by Katie Couric's 15 Minutes... 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I used to know somebody who didn't bathe. But everybody started calling me "stinky," so I figured it was about time to learn.
I've been clean going on three months now. Yay me!
2007-10-26 03:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I recently worked under a man with the same problem. His whole office had this smell that makes you nauseous. The same thing happened in any room he entered. We planned to give him a gift basket as a birthday or Christmas gift including lots of hygiene products and toiletries. We figured if we get him some nice toiletries he wouldn't take it offensively but actually use them so we could stop being offended by his odor. By the way, I don't think this guy bathes more than once a week either. Good luck!!
2007-10-26 10:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by edcw0214 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A smell that bad is an OHS issue. If it harms your productivity and well-being in the workplace, then you should discreetly take it up with your OHS rep or supervisor.
Be tactful about it, it is possible the stinky coworker already knows there's an issue, but I wouldn't want to bring it to a confrontation unless I had to.
2007-10-26 10:48:12 · answer #3 · answered by Sorgatani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is up to a supervisor or an HR Department to handle this. If you say anything, you're taking a risk on facing charges of harrassment. Until a someone higher up on the chain of command deals with it, keep a small candle lit on your desk. If you can't do that, put a decorative air freshner on your desk.
2007-10-26 10:42:20 · answer #4 · answered by Lady G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you guys have mailboxes? Leave a bar of soap, some deodorant, breath mints, etc. in a gift basket in his box - anonymously. He will accept it as a gift, but at the same time get the hint.
I had to give a co-worker a pack of mints because she has halitosis. I had a 4 pack and pretended not to like one of the flavors offering it to her - SHE GOT IT! & I haven't smelled her breath since...
2007-10-26 10:40:56 · answer #5 · answered by mentalchallenge 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell your boss..if that doesn't work tell the next level. Ask the co-worker if he/she is feeling OK? Use plug-ins. .brag on the toiletries that u use, ask him/her if she's ever tried this great inexpensive body wash, explain to him/her the wonderful feelings that u love being clean and using all these great products...possibly saturate yourself
2007-10-26 10:55:42 · answer #6 · answered by LIFE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me guess, Ronald, you work at Mcdonalds? Newsflash: we all stink at Mcdonalds. I been working there for 3 months now and no, I don't take a bath everyday and it aint none of yo beeswax.
2007-10-26 10:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by Mikey 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do NOT handle this yourself. Go to your supervisor and explain your revulsion and that it's a constant distraction and that you would like his supervisor to privately speak to him about his personal hygiene in the workplace as soon as possible.
Good luck!
2007-10-26 10:50:02 · answer #8 · answered by Tseruyah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Walk up to him with a bottle of Fabreeze and just start spraying. He'll get the picture. If not, at least he will smell a little better.
2007-10-26 10:34:23 · answer #9 · answered by Mable VT is thinking, kinda 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, I would go to your supervisor and if that doesn't work I would then politely tell him that before he passes the bugs crawling all over his body to his coworkers to please take a bath and he might make more friends.
2007-10-26 10:43:06 · answer #10 · answered by Debbie S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋