Issues with a coworker ....

[snickerharley]

I know I might get flames for this but here goes....I work with an extremely large person, who everyday comes in to work reaking of body odor. The smell is to me extremely toxic, it makes it hard to breath and be around this person. On top of that the person has a rude attitude and demenor to other co-workers and customers, the person also does not like to physically work eventhough the job requires physicall labor. I don't know what to do.........I feel it is unfair to work in a "toxic" environment where confrontation is an everyday thing. This person has also been talked to before to no avail.

 

[maxiesmom]

We had a problem at my work with a person who did not smell very nice. The human resources person had to talk to him. Not a job I would want. So how do you nicely tell someone they smell bad????

If someone who is their superior has talked to them, then they need to follow up. Why is this person being allowed to be not only smelly, but rude?

 

[fabumouse]

I worked with someone who was similarly hygiene-aly challenged and ultimately discovered there was just nothing we could do. Her office stank, clients complained, it was toxic to be in the same room with her sometimes (depending on the season and whether her clothing had been dry-cleaned recently).

Because some people in the company were willing to pay for an internet service which will send a form letter (I guess in this case "you stink") and soap and deoderant, etc., I thought I'd give her a fighting chance (and spare her feelings) and speak with management. Apparently, body odor is a *very* touchy subject and nobody wanted to be involved with addressing it.

I would cautiously feel-out someone who is directly superior to her in the company, but if they don't feel like pursuing it - then just stay upwind.

 

[Skywalker]

Had the same problem in my old office. I normally can put up with A LOT without complaining but I was literally gagging while I was trying to work. Literally!

I told the supervisor who said "Oh please no no no no don't make me do this." LOL. I don't know what she said (and it must have been awkward) but the lady seemed to "try" more after that. I felt bad but what can you do?? It is impossible to ignore. Good luck.

 

[ducklite]

Not BO, but I work with a woman who bathes in perfume. I finally told her that "I knew she was coming twenty feet before she got to my office door." When she asked why I told her the truth, she wore wayyyy too much perfume. I said it would acutally smell a lot nicer if it was applied with a lighter touch. She still wears too much, but it's not an amount that literally gags you.

Anne

 

[Patty3]

We had the same problem in our office. My supervisor had to speak to this person twice. When she was told about it the second time, it was made known to the employee that if it happened again, she would be sent home. Problem has been corrected.

 

[Pugdog007]

I've had to deal with it before and it isn't pleasant. My recommendation is to talk to your supervisor.

 

[snickerharley]

Unfortunately we are beyond supervisory talks. The person has been spoken to on a few occasions but no luck. Now that the weather is hotter it is becoming unbearable and trying to get upwind is almost not possible because we work in a very small area. I don't want to have to find a new job over someones else problem, I can deal with the persons attitued even thought they feel like getting into an argument with me everyday but the odor has got to go.

 

[Micca]

I was the supervisor and a close co-worker of one of these people. I told him that I was embarassed to bring it up, but I thought he would want to know. He was also embarassed and I promised him we would forget this conversation happened, and never mention it again. Some time later he asked and I told him the problem was corrected. I hope he learned from the situation.

 

[delilah]

I sympathize with you. When I was in medical school, I was assigned to share a locker with somebody with a body odor problem (another medical student). She was actually a very lovely person, and I actually liked her as a friend. On the other hand, I didn't want my things to smell like that. We didn't have to be the locker room at the same time, so, I shared a locker with another student instead. Apparently, somebody talked to her sometime during fourth year, because, after that, she didn't have BO anymore. Glad it wasn't me!

 

[Stacerita]

Ive had this problem in my office recently. There was a woman in the office who just stopped bathing. Her hair was extremely greasy, she stunk, and no one wanted to work anywhere near her. We all tried dropping hints and tried telling her in a subtle way. She didn't catch on. More than half the office complained to the Supervisor with no action being taken. Some of us took it to the Director, still nothing. We were told if she didn't change that HR would be brought in, but that never happened. And even the Employee Health was going to be contacted. I guess they were hoping that she would just shower before they took it to them. But she didn't. It was just plain nasty. After a few months, she finally bathed.

Go to HR and/or Employee Heatlh if the supervisor hasn't done anything yet. You dont need to put up with that. Its not right.

 

[AC7179]

If it were me, I would want to know.

Not sure, however, that I would have the nerve to tell somebody that the didn't smell all that fresh!

 

[MsLeFever]

I've had to deal with this several times. I always seem to have one college student that is the "smelly kid".

First I try making general announcements about showering before shows, rehearsals, classes. Sadly, that doesn't usually work.

Then, my approach is to pull them aside and tell them that they have to shower before rehearsal or class. Only once did the kid actually say..."Why? Does someone say I smell?" Um. yes.

 

[Pop Daddy]

people really need to smell themselfs

 

[hentob]

My question is--How don't these people know that they smell? Seriously? How don't you know that you are stinky? I was gardening in oppressive heat the other day and forgot to put deodorant on. OMG! I stank and I knew it.

So, there you have it--Wouldn't a family member tell them that they smelled? A close friend? Wouldn't you tell your good friend "Hey Sweets, you reek!" ? I sure would

Ewwww..to come to work unbathed and smelly

 

[disneynutt1225]

After a few months, she finally bathed.

That is so gross!

I have the opposite problem at work - there's a woman in the department next to mine who must literally take a bath in her perfume several times a day. It's overwhelming.

 

[SplshMtn99]

My DH has a long time friend (army buddy) who we see maybe once a year now. To say he reaks, is putting it mildly. He's a long distance truck driver, & when we shows up, he stays over. OMG, my house would smell for days. I used to put the sofa cushions outside in the sun to air out. Wash the bed linen. Lysol the house.

The man knew he smelled. We just didn't discuss it. (Oddly, my cat Lucy who didn't really like anyone but us, would always go to him & let him pet her. )

Well, a few years ago, when he came around, he didn't smell quite as bad. He brought up the subject & told us that it was a medical problem & he was now on some medicine. And it sorta basically sounded like he was thanking us for putting up with it.

I don't know all the details. Its not something we wanted to discuss before or since. All I know, is it appears he leads one lonely life. late 40s. No girlfriend that I've ever known of in the last 20+ yrs. A job that has him alone most of the time. And he lives in his truck, when not home with mom. He had a dog with him on the road, but someone stole him.

 

[mrsstats]

A co-worker is bad but worse is the boss (female) who doesn't wear deodorant because the thinks it will cause cancer. No one to complain to, just have to put up with it

 

[Kimmielee]

Unfortunately we are beyond supervisory talks. The person has been spoken to on a few occasions but no luck. Now that the weather is hotter it is becoming unbearable and trying to get upwind is almost not possible because we work in a very small area. I don't want to have to find a new job over someones else problem, I can deal with the persons attitued even thought they feel like getting into an argument with me everyday but the odor has got to go.

It's in our companies handbook and if reported, I have to deal with it. The coworker is given an opportunity to remedy the problem.... if not, they are fired. It's very plain and simple. It won't be tolerated. I'd report it again, if your supervisor says there is nothing to be done, check your employee handbook to be sure.

If you don't have a handbook and/or it's not covered, then complain to your supervisor again, in writing, and copy their boss too.

This should not have to be tolerated, no matter what. Good luck!!!

 

[WendyDarling]

Random thought here, but I am reading this thread and cracking up laughing at all the google ads showing up at the bottom of the screen - remove arm pit odor, no more body odor, wipe out body odor...