Approaching delicate topics with coworkers about their smell
Working with someone who smells can be unpleasant for those working in the office environment. Understanding why that person smells and being really sure that the smell emanates from them is vital before you can tackle something like this. There can be many instances why people's body odor increases. Did you know that people that smell are not always aware of their odor?
It's extremely personal and handled badly, may an atmosphere amongst workers. It can actually cause embarrassment, unfriendliness and an atmosphere worse than existed with the smell if confronted in the wrong way.
Hormonal changes, hygiene, lack of money or resources to wash clothes properly or even illness can cause odor. Odor doesn't have to emanate from the usual suspect places. Bad breath is not only embarrassing for the sufferer, but for those around that person. It canbe a signthat someone is ill whilst not even being aware of it.
Many workers are intolerant of other people, too quick to judge, and their people handling powers mean that someone gets hurt in the process.
In one office where the writer of this article worked, a smell emanated from one particular desk. People became obsessed with how to deal with it. What was eventually noticed was that the smell was still there, long after the worker had gone home. No one smells that bad surely. This was investigated and upon approaching the desk, the smell got so strong it really was offensive. Being braver because the co-worker wasn't around, everyone sniffed and it was discovered that the smell emanated from the photocopy machine that stood next to the worker's desk. Upon investigation, what was found was that there was a dead mouse in the rollers of the photocopy machine that must have been there for weeks.
Strangely enough once the mess was cleaned and the machine deodorized, the co-worker suspected for so long was the first to notice a difference. People act too quickly sometimes, and had we acted in this particular case, would have hurt someone deeply without justification.
Body odor is difficult. No one wants to smell badly. You could for example tackle the problem by buying a new brand of deodorant and talk about it, bringing up the latest advertisement on the television. Give the coworker and others a chance to try the new product.Different skinsreact differently and produce different odors. If it smells good on the coworker with the problem, you can always say you don't like the smell on your skin and give it to her.
One thing to remember is never to involve staff higher up the chain when encountering something as personal as odor. It can be embarrassing for the coworker to be singled out as being the cause of other people's complaints.
Another way to try to share good smells with coworkers is to use different fabric softeners and discuss them with others. This may encourage the coworker who has clothes that smell to do something about it.
Soaps are trendy these days as well and sharing the latest soap odor with a coworker may help. You may even make the soap yourself and give out samples.
Breath smells can be a sign of something medical, such as stomach problems and are not as personal as odors from the body.
If you find you have to work closely with someone with bad breath, carrya sprayin your bag, and don't be shy about introducing it when they are around. Telling someone how good a product is doesn't criticize them personally or hurt them, but what it does is provide a window of opportunity for them to learn something not only beneficial for them, but for all who work daily with them.
Telling someone bluntly that they smell is personal. It causes that person embarrassment and psychological disadvantage and is rude. Even taking them out on a one to one basis makes them feel singled out and judged by other people's standards. You are not doing them a favor. You are inflicting your ideals on someone else and in doing so can do more harm than good.
Passing the problem to someone else is also not the way to go, because their handling of the situation could be equally heavy handed.
Placing a bar of soap on their desk is not only insulting but shows lack of sensitivity on your part. If this would be your choice, then you need to appraise your people skills.
Do you know any one person on earth who wants to smell badly? Of course not, though any kind of singling out of an individual for something as offensive as smelling isn't pleasant. In fact, this presents unpleasantness in the workplace. Finding ways forward that are diplomatic not only help that person in the workplace, but perhaps at home too. Be humane. Discuss generally the television commercial promises. Most people talk about television and that really is an easy thing to talk about. Do mock try-outs of products. Someone has to pay for them, but money is a small price to pay, and achieves more than insult.
When that person with the problem finds a product that improves their presentation in the office, compliment them. Tell them it suits them and makes so much difference. Lie through your teeth if you have to about it making them smell young. It is the end result that counts and everyone likes to feel young. If it is a young girl, tell her it makes her smell so grown up. Use psychology rather than ugly words and singling out of individuals because it isn't fair or right to inflict your judgment on someone in a negative way.
A body odor is the sign that something is wrong. An attitude that "smells" comes from selfish thinking and lack of communication skills. In fact, looked at in this light, improving your attitude, perhaps at the same time improving the problem, benefits everyone around you.
