If someone you know seems to suffer from a "failure to bathe", you don't have to suffer in silence. There's no great way to address the issue, but there are good ones.
1Get the best attitude - an empathic, informative attitude.
2Find a quiet place to initiate the discussion.
3Use neutral, impersonal language that refers to professionalism and the impact on the office.
4Say something like, "I have noticed the smell of (the offensive odor), and I’m concerned that it is having an impact on your ability to interact with your co-workers and our customers."
5Let them know you are pointing it out to be helpful. Use the Power Phrase, "I’m telling you because it’s important for you to know."
6Set up a follow-up discussion.
7Let them know how they're doing.
1Buy two very nice scented soap/shower gel/perfume/deodorant and bring them to work
2Show one to your offender. Explain how much you love it.
3Let them keep the one you showed them. You can have the other.
4If this doesn't work, ask them how they liked their product. If they look sweaty or nervous, suggest a new way of how to use it. Repeat again the next time you see them.
Questions and Answers
Give us 3 minutes of knowledge!
- Be as low key as you can, but don't hide the truth in hints.
- Wouldn't you want to know if you smelled? Don't beat around the bush and just tell them. It's gonna be awkward but there's no good way to tell someone they stink.
- Tell the offender, not anyone else.
- If they become reactive, be empathic about it.
- Don’t assume you know what the underlying issue is. You don’t.
- Don’t refer to culture or race or religion or anything that could get you in legal hot water.
In other languages:
Español: decirle a alguien que trabaja contigo que tiene mal olor, Italiano: Dire a un Collega di Lavoro che Ha un Cattivo Odore, Русский: сказать кому то на работе, что от него плохо пахнет, Português: Dizer a uma Pessoa que Ela está Cheirando Mal
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