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Does Something STINK At Your Office?
Have you ever had the displeasure of working next to someone with body odor, too much perfume on or a certain smell that makes you sick to your stomach? While we all hope that we are never the cause of making someone sick to their stomach, sometimes we are unaware of our own hygiene problems. So, what if one of your co-workers or direct reports is making your stomach turn and you don't know what to do? First, we need to better understand what is going on.
If a co-worker has the problem:
If this is a basic body odor or perfume issue and you are a co-worker to this person, gently ask them in a confidential space, if they know that they have body odor and how it is affecting your ability to concentrate and do your job. Ask them if they could go home over lunch break and take care of the problem? If they are not able to do this and the problem persists, let their direct supervisor know about the problem and how it is affecting your work. This is really all you can do. If their supervisor is unable or unwilling to change the situation, ask if you can work in a different area that is away from the smell.
If your direct report has a problem:
If you are the supervisor to someone with a body odor problem, approach the person in the same respectful manner in a confidential space that will allow you to speak with the person without being overheard. Mention that another worker has complained about the body odor issue and it is affecting their ability to get their work done. Ask that the person with body odor go home immediately and use soap to wash the smell away and return to work as soon as they are able. If this problem does not go away, and you are not able to move the person to another location because of the work, you may need to begin your disciplinary process by documenting your conversations with them and their actions or lack of action to change. Sometimes employees are using perfume or cologne to hide a drinking or drug problem. While it is not your job to know what addictions or problems they have, it is your job to correct any behavioral issues or reasons why this person is keeping others from performing their jobs. If a person self-discloses a behavioral problem and your company offers an employee assistance plan, now would be the time to offer this type of help.
Be aware of ADA (American with Disabilities Act) issues:
Years ago I had to confront this issue with an employee who was unaware of how her body smelled and how she was impacting her co-workers. I asked her to meet me in an area of the office that would allow us to have a delicate conversation. I let her know that fellow co-workers were having problems with her body odor and asked her if she was aware of this. She said no and of course was embarrassed. She said that she was on a medication that may be the cause and she was trying to disguise that smell with perfume. I asked her to go home immediately and shower away the perfume and come back with a note from her doctor letting us know that she was on medication that may cause a body odor problem.
If a worker has a medical reason for this problem, you may need to place them in a location where their smell will not distract others. Be careful on this one, as you do not want to appear as though you are retaliating or punishing them for their problem. Ask for their suggestions first on how to accommodate their needs and do not change their job drastically by placing them in an undesirable work location or reduce their pay or anything that appears to punish them teach them a lesson.
Confronting workers with body odor issues can be a difficult situation to overcome. With the tips I provided above you will be on your way to resolving a difficult situation in a respectful, effective way. | 
