How to deal with a colleague who has very bad hygiene? [duplicate]
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?
6 answers
I took up a new job as software engineer where I share a generous room with another person.
We interact with each other respectfully and professionally and he is doing great work as far as I am concerned.
The problem is, he is often wearing the same T-shirt for multiple weeks and his smell sometimes gets repulsive. The back office employees who often visited me in the first week commented how we should open the windows and how much it smells in our "nerd-room".
Sometimes I sit in a meeting room and develop on a laptop because it gets too overwhelming. I am constantly chewing mint chewing gum and smear mint cream below my nose so I can stand it.
I do not consider myself especially sensitive in the olfactory area.
I really don't know what to do or how to approach this matter. I could ask the bosses to get another room, but for what reason? I don't feel like this is something I can approach my colleague about directly...
colleagues
marked as duplicate by Elysian Fieldsâ¦, gnat, Joe Strazzere, Adam V, user22432 Aug 6 '14 at 23:09
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?
6 answers
I took up a new job as software engineer where I share a generous room with another person.
We interact with each other respectfully and professionally and he is doing great work as far as I am concerned.
The problem is, he is often wearing the same T-shirt for multiple weeks and his smell sometimes gets repulsive. The back office employees who often visited me in the first week commented how we should open the windows and how much it smells in our "nerd-room".
Sometimes I sit in a meeting room and develop on a laptop because it gets too overwhelming. I am constantly chewing mint chewing gum and smear mint cream below my nose so I can stand it.
I do not consider myself especially sensitive in the olfactory area.
I really don't know what to do or how to approach this matter. I could ask the bosses to get another room, but for what reason? I don't feel like this is something I can approach my colleague about directly...
colleagues
marked as duplicate by Elysian Fieldsâ¦, gnat, Joe Strazzere, Adam V, user22432 Aug 6 '14 at 23:09
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?
6 answers
I took up a new job as software engineer where I share a generous room with another person.
We interact with each other respectfully and professionally and he is doing great work as far as I am concerned.
The problem is, he is often wearing the same T-shirt for multiple weeks and his smell sometimes gets repulsive. The back office employees who often visited me in the first week commented how we should open the windows and how much it smells in our "nerd-room".
Sometimes I sit in a meeting room and develop on a laptop because it gets too overwhelming. I am constantly chewing mint chewing gum and smear mint cream below my nose so I can stand it.
I do not consider myself especially sensitive in the olfactory area.
I really don't know what to do or how to approach this matter. I could ask the bosses to get another room, but for what reason? I don't feel like this is something I can approach my colleague about directly...
colleagues
This question already has an answer here:
How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?
6 answers
I took up a new job as software engineer where I share a generous room with another person.
We interact with each other respectfully and professionally and he is doing great work as far as I am concerned.
The problem is, he is often wearing the same T-shirt for multiple weeks and his smell sometimes gets repulsive. The back office employees who often visited me in the first week commented how we should open the windows and how much it smells in our "nerd-room".
Sometimes I sit in a meeting room and develop on a laptop because it gets too overwhelming. I am constantly chewing mint chewing gum and smear mint cream below my nose so I can stand it.
I do not consider myself especially sensitive in the olfactory area.
I really don't know what to do or how to approach this matter. I could ask the bosses to get another room, but for what reason? I don't feel like this is something I can approach my colleague about directly...
This question already has an answer here:
How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?
6 answers
colleagues
edited Aug 6 '14 at 21:57
DawnPaladin
911514
911514
asked Aug 6 '14 at 20:44
user25980
212
212
marked as duplicate by Elysian Fieldsâ¦, gnat, Joe Strazzere, Adam V, user22432 Aug 6 '14 at 23:09
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by Elysian Fieldsâ¦, gnat, Joe Strazzere, Adam V, user22432 Aug 6 '14 at 23:09
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
From the point of view of colleague, he would probably prefer that you approach him first and discretely. This person might not be aware of his odor and could be mortified at finding this out through HR or a manager.
From previous experience, I've known a couple of folks with severe "odor": one who had a funk smell and another who used far too much cologne. In both cases, they simply were NOT aware of their own odor.
If you are gentle and honest about it, I think you have a good chance to get him to change his personal hygiene habits as far as work is concerned.
Involving a manager is bad, because it is awkward for the manager to have to deal with this in the first place, but more importantly it communicates that someone has been talking about this person behind their back.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I had a boss who had extensive experience with giving advice to the more odoriferous subordinates and colleagues, almost everyone of whom was oblivious or unaware of the devastating impact of their BO, especially at close quarters.
Learn about deodorant soap!
Learn about mouthwash!
Replace your clothes!
Every one of the recipients of this advice was grateful for it :)
You are going to have to tell your colleague to stop waging biological warfare on the staff and management. You don't really have a choice. On the other hand, say it gently to him before somebody else, say your manager, says it to him much more loudly, much more angrily and much more clumsily :)
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
From the point of view of colleague, he would probably prefer that you approach him first and discretely. This person might not be aware of his odor and could be mortified at finding this out through HR or a manager.
From previous experience, I've known a couple of folks with severe "odor": one who had a funk smell and another who used far too much cologne. In both cases, they simply were NOT aware of their own odor.
If you are gentle and honest about it, I think you have a good chance to get him to change his personal hygiene habits as far as work is concerned.
Involving a manager is bad, because it is awkward for the manager to have to deal with this in the first place, but more importantly it communicates that someone has been talking about this person behind their back.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
From the point of view of colleague, he would probably prefer that you approach him first and discretely. This person might not be aware of his odor and could be mortified at finding this out through HR or a manager.
From previous experience, I've known a couple of folks with severe "odor": one who had a funk smell and another who used far too much cologne. In both cases, they simply were NOT aware of their own odor.
If you are gentle and honest about it, I think you have a good chance to get him to change his personal hygiene habits as far as work is concerned.
Involving a manager is bad, because it is awkward for the manager to have to deal with this in the first place, but more importantly it communicates that someone has been talking about this person behind their back.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
From the point of view of colleague, he would probably prefer that you approach him first and discretely. This person might not be aware of his odor and could be mortified at finding this out through HR or a manager.
From previous experience, I've known a couple of folks with severe "odor": one who had a funk smell and another who used far too much cologne. In both cases, they simply were NOT aware of their own odor.
If you are gentle and honest about it, I think you have a good chance to get him to change his personal hygiene habits as far as work is concerned.
Involving a manager is bad, because it is awkward for the manager to have to deal with this in the first place, but more importantly it communicates that someone has been talking about this person behind their back.
From the point of view of colleague, he would probably prefer that you approach him first and discretely. This person might not be aware of his odor and could be mortified at finding this out through HR or a manager.
From previous experience, I've known a couple of folks with severe "odor": one who had a funk smell and another who used far too much cologne. In both cases, they simply were NOT aware of their own odor.
If you are gentle and honest about it, I think you have a good chance to get him to change his personal hygiene habits as far as work is concerned.
Involving a manager is bad, because it is awkward for the manager to have to deal with this in the first place, but more importantly it communicates that someone has been talking about this person behind their back.
edited Dec 5 '14 at 15:59
Paulpro
1033
1033
answered Aug 6 '14 at 20:59
teego1967
10.3k42845
10.3k42845
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I had a boss who had extensive experience with giving advice to the more odoriferous subordinates and colleagues, almost everyone of whom was oblivious or unaware of the devastating impact of their BO, especially at close quarters.
Learn about deodorant soap!
Learn about mouthwash!
Replace your clothes!
Every one of the recipients of this advice was grateful for it :)
You are going to have to tell your colleague to stop waging biological warfare on the staff and management. You don't really have a choice. On the other hand, say it gently to him before somebody else, say your manager, says it to him much more loudly, much more angrily and much more clumsily :)
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I had a boss who had extensive experience with giving advice to the more odoriferous subordinates and colleagues, almost everyone of whom was oblivious or unaware of the devastating impact of their BO, especially at close quarters.
Learn about deodorant soap!
Learn about mouthwash!
Replace your clothes!
Every one of the recipients of this advice was grateful for it :)
You are going to have to tell your colleague to stop waging biological warfare on the staff and management. You don't really have a choice. On the other hand, say it gently to him before somebody else, say your manager, says it to him much more loudly, much more angrily and much more clumsily :)
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I had a boss who had extensive experience with giving advice to the more odoriferous subordinates and colleagues, almost everyone of whom was oblivious or unaware of the devastating impact of their BO, especially at close quarters.
Learn about deodorant soap!
Learn about mouthwash!
Replace your clothes!
Every one of the recipients of this advice was grateful for it :)
You are going to have to tell your colleague to stop waging biological warfare on the staff and management. You don't really have a choice. On the other hand, say it gently to him before somebody else, say your manager, says it to him much more loudly, much more angrily and much more clumsily :)
I had a boss who had extensive experience with giving advice to the more odoriferous subordinates and colleagues, almost everyone of whom was oblivious or unaware of the devastating impact of their BO, especially at close quarters.
Learn about deodorant soap!
Learn about mouthwash!
Replace your clothes!
Every one of the recipients of this advice was grateful for it :)
You are going to have to tell your colleague to stop waging biological warfare on the staff and management. You don't really have a choice. On the other hand, say it gently to him before somebody else, say your manager, says it to him much more loudly, much more angrily and much more clumsily :)
answered Aug 6 '14 at 21:24
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
suggest improvements |Â
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
â Nicolas Barbulesco
Jan 14 '15 at 10:45
1
1
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
@NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/â¦
â Vietnhi Phuvan
Jan 14 '15 at 12:15
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
Replace your clothes?!? How bad does this person smell? Do they need to set fire to them too?
â i-CONICA
Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
suggest improvements |Â