How to deal with a colleague who has very bad hygiene? [duplicate]

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  • How should I approach a co-worker on matters of personal hygiene?

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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...







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marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, 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.




















    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...







    share|improve this question














    marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, 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.
















      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...







      share|improve this question















      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









      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      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 Fields♦, 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 Fields♦, 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.






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          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.






          share|improve this answer





























            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.



            1. Learn about deodorant soap!


            2. Learn about mouthwash!


            3. 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 :)






            share|improve this answer




















            • I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
              – Nicolas Barbulesco
              Jan 14 '15 at 10:45






            • 1




              @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
              – 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?
              – i-CONICA
              Mar 8 '17 at 14:05

















            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.






            share|improve this answer


























              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.






              share|improve this answer
























                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.






                share|improve this answer














                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.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Dec 5 '14 at 15:59









                Paulpro

                1033




                1033










                answered Aug 6 '14 at 20:59









                teego1967

                10.3k42845




                10.3k42845






















                    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.



                    1. Learn about deodorant soap!


                    2. Learn about mouthwash!


                    3. 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 :)






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
                      – Nicolas Barbulesco
                      Jan 14 '15 at 10:45






                    • 1




                      @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                      – 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?
                      – i-CONICA
                      Mar 8 '17 at 14:05














                    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.



                    1. Learn about deodorant soap!


                    2. Learn about mouthwash!


                    3. 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 :)






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
                      – Nicolas Barbulesco
                      Jan 14 '15 at 10:45






                    • 1




                      @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                      – 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?
                      – i-CONICA
                      Mar 8 '17 at 14:05












                    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.



                    1. Learn about deodorant soap!


                    2. Learn about mouthwash!


                    3. 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 :)






                    share|improve this answer












                    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.



                    1. Learn about deodorant soap!


                    2. Learn about mouthwash!


                    3. 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 :)







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    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.
                      – Nicolas Barbulesco
                      Jan 14 '15 at 10:45






                    • 1




                      @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                      – 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?
                      – i-CONICA
                      Mar 8 '17 at 14:05
















                    • I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
                      – Nicolas Barbulesco
                      Jan 14 '15 at 10:45






                    • 1




                      @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                      – 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?
                      – i-CONICA
                      Mar 8 '17 at 14:05















                    I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
                    – Nicolas Barbulesco
                    Jan 14 '15 at 10:45




                    I have never seen such thing as a "deodorant soap". Maybe it is a US invention.
                    – Nicolas Barbulesco
                    Jan 14 '15 at 10:45




                    1




                    1




                    @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                    – Vietnhi Phuvan
                    Jan 14 '15 at 12:15




                    @NicolasBarburesco Very common in the U.S. health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/…
                    – 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?
                    – 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?
                    – i-CONICA
                    Mar 8 '17 at 14:05


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