Body Odor 'Medical Condition'

Lisa in Oz · May 2001

We have an employee with very offensive body odor. She works as a front desk clerk in a law enforcement center. She has continual contact with co-workers and the public. When her supervisor spoke with her about it, she said it was a medical condition and there was nothing she could do about it. She was encouraged to check with another doctor and offered opportunities/suggestions of ways to help minimize the impact on others such as providing a location where she can wash up and change uniforms part way through her shift. She claims she went to a second doctor and was told the same answer as the first, plus she refused to try the washing-up suggestion.

First, can we ask for a doctor's statement that it is a medical condition? Second, because ability to work with co-workers and meet the public are required for her job, can her supervisor begin documenting through evaluations that she is not meeting those standards and terminate her if the situation is not corrected?

Pamela · May 2001

You need to check with an attroney if the problem is bad enough that there is a chance you'll need to terminate. It is very likely that this will not qualify as a disability, even if it is demonstrated to be a medical condition. But you will need to have ALL your ducks in a row if you might take the position that there is no disability.

Gar · May 2001

Can you transfer the employee to another job where there is no contact with the public and limited contact with coworkers? If you can, be careful about treating/regarding the employee as having a disability. Such could hamper future employment termination attempts.

Body Odor 'Medical Condition'

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