Odor Problem

Hmm · March 2003

I'm interested in how to deal with how to discuss a body odor problem with a male employee. This problem has been discussed casually by other employees with management and nothing has been done and the problem is getting worse. The employee's office looks awful - you would have to see it to believe it. You can't pass his office without smelling the odor.

jimlegal · March 2003

Do you have a policy in place concerning this type of issue? Do you have a policy in place concerning fragrance? It sounds like this maybe a health & safety issue for co-workers and the company. Further, sounds as if you may have a fire hazard on your hands, another safety issue. You may wish to discuss the odor (unpleasant fragrance) issue and messy office (fire hazard) together. However be sure that you are treating this employee no less than you treat any other employee with odor (unpleasant fragrance) or messy office (fire hazard)issue. Good luck with your situation!

Don D · March 2003

I notice you stated he is a male. You treat this problem the same way you would treat it if he were a female.

Hmm · March 2003

I should have clarified that the reason that I noted that the employee was male is because I wanted suggestions as to whether another male in management should address the issue with him.

Don D · March 2003

I think that depends entirely on you. If you are "The HR Manager" or his supervisor and are not uncomfortable with it, you should handle it precisely as you would with a male. If, however, you have any level of discomfort for whatever reason, you might want to enlist the help of a senior male. It depends entirely on your 'rank', your comfort level, your maturity in the role, how you feel you and your role are perceived and whether you are up to the task. I'm not being critical here at all, just honest. I would need to know you and the culture there to further recommend. Go for it. You will have to do this sooner or later in your career and you'll grow from it. Good luck.

scantey · March 2003

I actually had this same situation a few years back... An employee refused to wear deodorant due to religious beliefs... and at the time there were several pregnant women in the office who would gag each time they walked anywhere near him. I simply told him that his odor was offensive to others in the workplace and he needed understand how others felt. I explained how the pregnant women were more sensitive to smell and if he could not wear deodorant for his religious beliefs then he would have to make an effort to bathe daily- preferably right before he came to work. I think he was more embarrassed than anything. In fact I think he did not realize how badly he did stink- Does the employee have any friends in the office that could pull him aside and tell him privately... In my case he was a loner so I got stuck with it- but by him knowing that others were talking was enough to make him change his ways... Honesty is the best policy! Good Luck!

ray a · March 2003

Our company handbook addresses the issue by stating "Failure to maintain a neat and clean appearance... any departure from accepted ... personal grooming ..." is unacceptable.

Working in a manufacturing environment, we have to deal with this problem usually once or twice a year. Sometimes it is a male, sometimes a female. If it is a male, I handle it along with the supervisor (all mfg supervisors are male). If it is a first offence with a female I often have a female personnel specialist talk to her along with a female group leader. If the problem persists, I will talk to the employee regardless of gender.

My first question is to ask if they have a medical problem that causes the odor. We actually had one woman where that was the case. She knew she had a problem and had been seeing a doctor about it. She discovered she could not wear sneakers, even with 2 pair of socks. When she started wearing leather shoes, the problem went away.

Rockie · March 2003

I've not heard of any religion that precludes wearing deodorant, but I am sure there must be. Someone told me if you have an employee who is allergic to deodorant or for whatever reason, does not want to wear it, etc., they can rub under their arms with rubbing alcohol and it will keep them from smelling. It won't keep them from sweating, but at least, they will be bearable to be around. (I am sure there is probably a religion that probibits rubbing alcohol also).

Don't know if this works, but it might be worth a shot!

Peyton Irby MS · March 2003

offensive body odor is not a protected category. i suppose you could have a religious issue but this is creating a hardship on others. i would address it with the employee and find out if there is an issue. the employee may not even know he is offensive.

Odor Problem

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