How do I tell someone in a small office her perfume is incredibly offensive?

Question

I work in a small, open office space with about 20 people. One woman in particular wears a TON of perfume. You can smell her coming in from OUTSIDE and it lingers all over the office. I don't consider myself 'sensitive' to smells but its just really offensive and overpowering. How do we tell her to tone it down for the office without causing hurt feelings?

Answer 1

Don't tell her it's offensive. Tell her you have allergies and that her perfume is really causing you problems and gives you a headache. Tell her it's quite lovely, but unfortunately your nasal passages don't agree.

Answer 2

Take her to the side, so as not to embarass her and let her know that the fragrance is a little overpowering and it bothers your allergies. (Even if it's not necessarily true, it makes her want to change without being so offended.) Also, note to her that the scent is o.k. in smaller doses. A lot of women wear too much perfume because they have been wearing it so long their noses aren't as sensitive to the smell as others. She could be doing it w/o even realizing it.

Answer 3

Go to your supervisor about this. Suggest that she be told that some employees are having allergic reactions to her amount of perfume. If the supervisor does not or will not do this, leave an anonymous note on her desk (or in her office mailbox, or somewhere only she will see it) asking her to use less perfume, as it is causing allergic reactions by others.

It may be the kindest way to let her know.

Answer 4

She should know that wearing that much perfume to work is offensive, since it can cause allergic reactions in some people. I'd maybe talk to the boss and have him or her circulate a mass e-mail or flyer addressing that situation and others of interest. It'll help get the point accross.

Answer 5

Go to the local department store and pick up some sex panther. It works 100 percent of the time 60 percent of the the time. Do not stop using sex panther until the woman stops using her perfume or comes onto you. Once you are in a relationship with her you can tell her to tone the perfume down.

Answer 6

I had the same problem with my co-worker. I found that just telling him that since his cologne was long-lasting, all he needed to do was squirt it once in order to limit the strength of the smell. He then limited the amount of days he used the cologne as well as the number of squirts. It still stunk to me, but it's his right to buy and wear whatever fragrance he likes, however, I didn't feel that my nose was going to fall off or have headaches.

Answer 7

Talk to the boss, that's why he/she gets paid the big bucks. Diplomacy is going to get the job done if she is a reasonable person. This really falls along the same guide lines as second hand smoke.

Answer 8

Unless you are very very close to her, you'll need to enlist the boss' help. The complaint about strong scents, regardless of the kind of source, can be legitimate because some people are allergic to them because of their medical conditions and it's management's legal responsibility to provide a safe working environment.

Answer 9

Find a private moment with her, and say:

"I'm sorry but I have an allergy to a lot of perfumes, and I'm reacting to the one you are using. Could you leave it off, or use something else?"

This has always worked for me!

Answer 10

The normal procedure is to bring it up to HR and have them deal with it. However, if you work in such as small office (like me) where there is no HR, bring it up to your boss. Tell them that you are sensitive to certain aromas and heavier scents tend to make you feel ill.