This week we focus on co-worker and problems in hygiene and unclean attire.
Q: Help! I work in a small office where everyone pitches in, and we are often in very close proximity to each other. We all get along great and help out in the workload. The problem is one co-worker doesn't seem to know what deodorant is! She must be aware of the problem, as she uses lots of cheap perfume to try and cover it up, but it just makes it worse. As we are a small office, no one wants to offend her as it might destroy the working atmosphere - none of us wants to have conflict in this office as the customers would see it!
A: First of all, your co-worker may have a physical problem - some people's sweat glands are too small to handle the load, so to speak. She may be aware of the problem, but not sure how to deal with it. Or she may not even be aware she is omitting an odour. The customers are probably already aware of tension in your office, as you say they are able to see you while you go about your daily tasks.
So it is definitely in the company's best interest to tell her about any offensive odours. As you say this is a small office, the boss is probably aware of the situation - so you and your co-workers might want to ask him or her to approach the person about the situation. Although there are now online sites that will send an anonymous message to your colleague about the problem, most people find those more offensive than someone telling them about the problem - face it, someone in the office obviously sent in the email or message! Suggest that the person may want to check with a doctor first. As for the perfume, suggest the office go "Scent Free" as many customers are allergic to many scents.
Q: A male colleague in our office is a hard worker, but dresses terrible! We are not just talking about his taste in clothes, but his lack of cleanliness. He does not smell of body odour, but his clothes have old coffee and food stains. We often go out with clients or suppliers as a group, and his attire embarrasses not just those of us in the office, but our clients and suppliers as well - they often ask what day he might not be there, and conveniently arrange for our "outings" on those days!
A: Give him the name of a local clothes dry cleaner - even think about chipping in for a small gift certificate to start him on his way, depending on how close you all are to him. I'm surprised the boss puts up with this if suppliers and clients have commented, albeit in an indirect way. He may feel that as long as his body is clean, his clothes don't matter. But business may be affected with his attitude, and clients may start to feel that their projects may get the same treatment as his clothes - that of neglect.
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Copyright February 22, 2007. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
