How would you handle this?

I have a coworker who has a body odor problem. Not just regular, BO. We don't know what it is, but its horrendous. The kind of smell that causes headaches and nausea. She has been spoken to a number of times, by different people. It gets better for a while and then comes back with a vengeance. Shes made excuses in the past as to what it is. We want to talk to her again about it, but we don't know what to do. Its been done nicely, and one person told her that others were speaking negatively about her so she wanted to give her the heads up. Shes a very smart girl, with a lot going for her. This could potentially impact her future in a very negative way if its not corrected.


What would you do? How do we handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

I think at this point, HR should be the ones to address the issue.

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

Just curious but what were her excuses for the odor?

And yes, HR is the way to go.

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by MarathonKnitter

Posted by PearlJamChick

I think at this point, HR should be the ones to address the issue.

i agree. if people have already spoken to her, and it's bad enough to make others sick... it's time for HR to step in.

Yes. I had this issue at an old job. The smell was not BO- it was shall we say- a "feminine" odor
And it was so bad that you could smell it from down the hall and using the bathroom after she did was horrifying.

HR was the one to get involved. They are there to handle delicate situations like that. I think she would have been mortified if any of us (co-workers or even friends) had approached her about it. I mean she had to know it was there, but how do you even address it?
I was glad HR was the one to handle it

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

I agree with everyone about HR. Can you give you her one of those Febreeze holders that has a scent for her desk? I think it's a nice "gift" and gets the message across about the odor.

Your boss really has to put their foot down since this effecting your job.

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by MarathonKnitter

Posted by PearlJamChick

I think at this point, HR should be the ones to address the issue.

i agree. if people have already spoken to her, and it's bad enough to make others sick... it's time for HR to step in.

Yes. I had this issue at an old job. The smell was not BO- it was shall we say- a "feminine" odor
And it was so bad that you could smell it from down the hall and using the bathroom after she did was horrifying.

HR was the one to get involved. They are there to handle delicate situations like that. I think she would have been mortified if any of us (co-workers or even friends) had approached her about it. I mean she had to know it was there, but how do you even address it?
I was glad HR was the one to handle it

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by PhyllisNJoe

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by MarathonKnitter

Posted by PearlJamChick

I think at this point, HR should be the ones to address the issue.

i agree. if people have already spoken to her, and it's bad enough to make others sick... it's time for HR to step in.

Yes. I had this issue at an old job. The smell was not BO- it was shall we say- a "feminine" odor
And it was so bad that you could smell it from down the hall and using the bathroom after she did was horrifying.

HR was the one to get involved. They are there to handle delicate situations like that. I think she would have been mortified if any of us (co-workers or even friends) had approached her about it. I mean she had to know it was there, but how do you even address it?
I was glad HR was the one to handle it

We had someone , a young girl, who had this same situation going on. HR handled it as best as she could but she was still pretty stinky. Especially once a month. I had a febreeze scents glass thing on my desk so the stink didn’t come into my cubicle when she came over to my desk for something. Her standing - me sitting = right there in your face. I have a queasy stomach with smells. Wasn’t good.

Unfortunately for your boss, she has to see what she can do legally about it. Can you fire someone for being so unhygienic that it’s causing a health issue for others? She may have no choice but to go that route if she has spoken to her numerous times.

Does anyone know her personally, outside of work? Maybe she’s a hoarder at home and that’s where the smell is coming from.

Re: How would you handle this?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by PhyllisNJoe

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by MarathonKnitter

Posted by PearlJamChick

I think at this point, HR should be the ones to address the issue.

i agree. if people have already spoken to her, and it's bad enough to make others sick... it's time for HR to step in.

Yes. I had this issue at an old job. The smell was not BO- it was shall we say- a "feminine" odor
And it was so bad that you could smell it from down the hall and using the bathroom after she did was horrifying.

HR was the one to get involved. They are there to handle delicate situations like that. I think she would have been mortified if any of us (co-workers or even friends) had approached her about it. I mean she had to know it was there, but how do you even address it?
I was glad HR was the one to handle it

We had someone , a young girl, who had this same situation going on. HR handled it as best as she could but she was still pretty stinky. Especially once a month. I had a febreeze scents glass thing on my desk so the stink didn’t come into my cubicle when she came over to my desk for something. Her standing - me sitting = right there in your face. I have a queasy stomach with smells. Wasn’t good.

Unfortunately for your boss, she has to see what she can do legally about it. Can you fire someone for being so unhygienic that it’s causing a health issue for others? She may have no choice but to go that route if she has spoken to her numerous times.

Does anyone know her personally, outside of work? Maybe she’s a hoarder at home and that’s where the smell is coming from.

You have to wonder if it's a medical condition or just being unhygienic though you know?
I mean the smell you describe and I experienced with that woman at my old job- I can't imagine that was normal for a vagina to smell like that. Even if I didn't shower for a week, I am sure it wouldn't be pleasant down there, but I can't imagine it would be so bad it would permeate the air around me while fully clothed, you know? I would think it would have to be some kind of infection right? Maybe they left it untreated are scared/embarrassed to go to the doctor, etc?

How would you handle this?

Plus if she doesn’t wash her clothes the odor will not go away. I know plenty of people that shower and clean themselves but then put on dirty clothes.

Re: How would you handle this?

We had this type of situation at a place I once worked. This person was def. spoken to numerous times. I took it on myself to speak to her in the parking lot one day and said I once had the same problem
I figured if I said it that way she wouldnt think I was judging her and would receive it on another level.
I 'gently' encouraged her to go to the doctor because we have good health insurance with the job and there was absolutely no reason to live like this and have people talking about her ..umm...polluting the office.

She did and it went away.

Re: How would you handle this?

She probably is nose blind to the situation.

We have someone at work who has the worst breath... I feel like I need a mint after talking with them.

They can stand in my door way and I can smell it from 5 feet away!!!

Re: How would you handle this?

Someone needs to talk to her. It's an uncomfortable situation, but it has to be done. Lay it out there and say it's either a hygiene issue (her personal self or her clothing or both) and/or a medical issue. Suggest she speak to her doctor about it.

Funny enough, I had an issue a few years ago with a nanny who had smelly feet. I came on here asking for advice and I was ROASTED on this board for bringing it up to her in a very polite and professional manner. We even bought her new boots for the holidays and people were HORRIFIED that I would say something to her. Seems times have changed!

Honestly, if I smelled I would much rather one person have a very uncomfortable conversation with me for 2 minutes, rather than everyone talking about me all the time forever!

Re: How would you handle this?

How would you handle this?

Thank you everyone. We discussed the medical issue this morning, and while I hope she doesnt have anything wrong, it will be suggested to her this afternoon when she comes in. I appreciate all of the responses